The Malay Archipelago, vol 1

I recently viewed a PBS program on Birds of Paradise where Sir David Attenborough quoted from this book. I then searched here and found the book.

This very interesting narrative by Mr. Wallace is described as "One of the most popular and influential journals of scientific exploration published during the 19th century." Wikipedia

The book from the 1880s reads like a travel log in which Wallace describes the flora and fauna along with observations about the people and the colonial rulers of the various Island groups he visits. With the expected euro-centric bias of it's time, however don't let that dissuade you, it's well worth reading.

I was a little put-off by the lack of illustrations until I set up my lap-top and started goggling the various islands, flora, fauna, birds, mammals etc., being described in the text, which then truly brought the book to life.


You can find the original illustrations from this book using the following link: http://www.papuaweb.org/dlib/bk/wallace/book.html (One of my discoveries while googling)

If you like descriptions of exotic locals and cultures you will find it hard not to enjoy this book. Also, Wallace's theories and explanations about the migration of species and island formation are interesting and not at all hard to bear.