The Malay Archipelago The Land Of The Orang Utan And The Bird Of Paradise By Alfred Russel Wallace

The influential account of fieldwork undertaken by Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) in Indonesia and Malaysia, first published in 1869.

This early work by Alfred Russel Wallace was originally published in 1869 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'The Malay Archipelago' is a work that chronicles the observations of Wallace during his time in Asia, and includes chapters on Java, Bali, Borneo, and the wildlife and human inhabitants who resided there. Alfred Russel Wallace was born on 8th January 1823 in the village of Llanbadoc, in Monmouthshire, Wales. Wallace was inspired by the travelling naturalists of the day and decided to begin his exploration career collecting specimens in the Amazon rainforest. He explored the Rio Negra for four years, making notes on the peoples and languages he encountered as well as the geography, flora, and fauna. While travelling, Wallace refined his thoughts about evolution and in 1858 he outlined his theory of natural selection in an article he sent to Charles Darwin. Wallace made a huge contribution to the natural sciences and he will continue to be remembered as one of the key figures in the development of evolutionary theory.

Alfred Russel Wallace's The Malay Archipelago is a work of astounding breadth and originality that chronicles the British naturalist's scientific exploration of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and New Guinea between 1854 and 1862. An intrepid explorer who earned his living by collecting bird skins, Wallace also cataloged the vast number of plant and animal species that inhabited this unique geographical area. In addition he includes numerous observations on the people, their languages and ways of living and social organization as well as geological insights into the nature and activity of volcanoes and the destructive force of nature. Colorful personal anecdotes based on experiences during his travels also pepper the text. First published in 1869, [i]The Malay Archipelago[/i] provided some of the initial evidence of the modern theory of evolution. Discursive, captivating, occasionally offensive, but always wonderfully descriptive, The Malay Archipelago remains one of the most extensive works of natural history ever compiled.