The Humboldt Current: Nineteenth-Century Exploration and the Roots of American Environmentalism
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.11 (774 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0143111922 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 496 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-11-18 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
A masterly and beautifully written account of the impact of Alexander von Humboldt on nineteenth-century American history and culture The naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt (1769?1859) achieved unparalleled fame in his own time. Reynolds, Clarence King, George Wallace, and John Muir?who embraced Humboldt?s idea of a ?chain of connection? uniting all peoples and all environments. In The Humboldt Current, Aaron Sachs traces Humboldt?s pervasive influence on American history through examining the work of four explorers?J. N. A skillful blend of narrative and interpretation that also discusses Humboldt?s influence on Emerson, Whitman, Thoreau, Melville, and Poe, The Humboldt Current offers a colorful, passionate, and superbly written reinterpretation of nineteenth-century American history.. Today, however, he and his enormous legacy to American thought are virtually unknown
. In this timely read, he even documents the naturalist impulse in writers such as Thoreau, Whitman and, surprisingly, Poe. From Publishers Weekly American history of the 19th century is dominated by the Civil War, the expansion to the Pacific and the push to industrialization, but it is worth recalling the prominent interest in natural history in the U.S., a movement of which the tremendously popular Prussian scientist Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) was more or less the first practitioner. Reynolds, Clarence King, George Wallace Melville and John Muir—to represent the various tributaries of Humboldt's considerable influence. All rights reserved. The author chooses four explorer-naturalists—J.N. Sachs cannily divides the book into the four points of the compass, addressing East (Europe's influence), South (excursions to Antarctica), West (explo
A Terrific Book After glancing at the previous review, I decided that I must weigh in on this book. I read The Humboldt Current right after it was published. I found it effective on various levels. First, it allows us to understand Humboldt and his desire for a unified view of the natural world. Second, it takes us on a journey into early geographers and explorers in America, many of whom followed Humboldt's ideals. Third, in the conclusion, Sachs raises a host of important issues for present-day environmentalism. Readers should also know that Sachs writes in a sprightly, engaging fashion. If on. Thomas A. Potter said Rich and informative. With the recent upsurge of interest of Alexander von Humboldt, Aaron Sachs provides an important review of the lasting influence of the man and his ecological influence. It is amazing that for years this great scientist/explorer was lost to the increasingly specialized pursuit of knowledge about our world. Sachs not only reviews in the first chapters an overview of Humboldt's travels and accomplishments but he goes on to demonstrate the lasting influence of his work on many of the 19th and "Rich and informative" according to Thomas A. Potter. With the recent upsurge of interest of Alexander von Humboldt, Aaron Sachs provides an important review of the lasting influence of the man and his ecological influence. It is amazing that for years this great scientist/explorer was lost to the increasingly specialized pursuit of knowledge about our world. Sachs not only reviews in the first chapters an overview of Humboldt's travels and accomplishments but he goes on to demonstrate the lasting influence of his work on many of the 19th and 20th century figures as they pursued their various regions of the "unexplored" globe. Many . 0th century figures as they pursued their various regions of the "unexplored" globe. Many . The spirit of Humboldt lives to this day Luigi Fernandez In an era of specialized science, when most practitioners of the field attempt to understand the mechanisms underlying natural phenomena down to the last detail, it may be difficult to have a grasp of the big picture and embrace a holistic approach to nature and the universe as Alexander von Humboldt did in his time. Indeed one major premise of Aaron Sachs' book is that with increasing specialization that the progression of science entailed went the likes of Humboldt, his contemporaries, and the scientists, explorers, and adventurers who he inspired. Yet there still are scientist