Perspective

Charles Darwin starts out as a well-read naturalist and becomes a well-experienced scientist and adventurer. He chronicles his five-year voyage aboard the Beagle and his many land excursions in detail for the benefit of both the scientific and casual reader. This results in long passages of detail that scientists can study and casual readers skim through on their way into the more interesting anecdotes of his journey.

The author uses very low-key humor at times. Drama tends to be implied. For example, when he visits a salt lake, he offhandedly mentions finding the skull of a murdered whaling ship captain. The effect is to emphasize the science over the adventure while including both in the book.

Darwin may overly praise the British Empire occasionally, but considering the King of England is his sponsor, the purpose is clear. Darwin maintains objectivity most of the time. Among his ideas that...