The Voyage of the Beagle:

2009 marks the bi-centennary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his ground-breaking publication 'On the Origin of Species' (1859). Many of his scientific investigations and theories have stood the test of time and are still relevant today. There will be many major exhibitions around the world as well as documentaries and debates about Darwin''s work, and a major motion picture is planned on the life of Darwin by the Oscar winning producer Jeremy Thomas. 'The Voyage of the Beagle' brings together, for the first time in a single volume, the circumstances that set the Beagle voyage in motion and people who travelled onboard in their various capacities. Chapters include the career history of Beagle, including cabin layouts and plans, biographies on Darwin and Captain Robert Fitzroy and the work of the crewmembers and artists who accompanied the survey voyage. Illustrated with artworks, sketches and charts that were produced during and after the voyage by those on board, as well as portraits and artefacts, and with first-hand accounts in the form of extracts from diaries and letters, James Taylor has woven together all the various strands of the Beagle story to produce a thoroughly engaging and highly informative read that is sure to appeal to anyone from scientists to art lovers and maritime historians.