Evolution

This book is a must-read for history and nature enthusiasts alike. Alfred Russel Wallace's firsthand accounts give readers a deep understanding of Malaysian culture, history, and the rich diversity of its wildlife. His parallel conclusions with Darwin on evolution make this book a remarkable contribution to the field. With a wealth of detail and captivating narrative, it transports readers to the Indonesian archipelago, unveiling the wonders of its exotic people, flora, and fauna. The Malay Archipelago is a treasure trove of knowledge and a testament to Wallace's enduring legacy.

This book is a great travelogue that takes you on an adventurous journey into the Malay Archipelago. With insightful studies of the diverse nature and people, especially the famous Orang-Utan and Bird of Paradise, this book is a classic read for anyone who loves exploration and nature.

Wallace's 'Malay Archipelago' is a classic account of the travels of a Victorian naturalist through island Southeast Asia. It has been loved by readers ever since its publication in 1869. Despite numerous modern reprints with appreciative introductions, this is the first - and long overdue - annotated edition in English.This edition explains, updates and corrects the original text with an historical introduction, and hundreds of explanatory notes. Wallace left hundreds of people, places, publications and species unidentified. He referred to most species only with the scientific name current at the time. Whenever available, the common name for species have been provided, and scientific names updated. The 52 illustrations from the original edition are supplemented by 16 pages of newly-selected colour illustrations dating from the period.The content of the 'Malay Archipelago' has never been thoroughly analysed and compared against other contemporary sources. It turns out that the book contains many errors. This includes not just incorrect dates and place names but some of the most remarkable anecdotes; for example, the dramatic claim that tigers "kill on an average a Chinaman every day" in Singapore or that a Dutch Governor General committed suicide by leaping from a waterfall on Celebes.By correcting the text of the 'Malay Archipelago' against Wallace's letters and notebooks and other contemporary sources and by enriching it with modern identifications, this edition reveals Wallace's work as never before.