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Galapagos recommended reading

Here is a selection of books we recommend relating to the Galapagos islands:

Tha Galapagos: A natural history - Henry Nicholls

Tha Galapagos: A natural historyTha Galapagos: A natural history

Charles Darwin called it "a little world within itself;" Sailors referred to it as "Las Encantadas"— the enchanted islands. This captivating history of the world's most famous islands charts their evolution from deserted wilderness to profoundly important scientific resource and now global tourist destination.

The Enchanted Islands - John Hickman

The Enchanted IslandsThe Enchanted Islands

A fascinating background account of the turbulent history of the Galapagos Islands

Floreana - Margret Wittmer

FloreanaFloreana

The remarkable true story of the author’s 56 years living on the Galapagos Islands.

Other books worth having a look at are:

  • South American Handbook or Ecuador & Galapagos Handbook, Footprints Travel Guides
  • Birds of Galapagos - Collins Field Guide - Michael Harris:
    An easy-to-use, detailed field guide for the Galapagos, published in 1982. There are some coloured plates and maps, and a checklist. Chapters include the history of ornithology; numbers of land birds, plants and altitude; and breeding seasons. There is also a species account with a brief indentification, including flight, voice, food, breeding and a distribution section.
  • Reef Fish Identification: Galapagos - Paul Humann:
    A must-read for anyone diving in the Galapagos, this is a comprehensive fish identification guide with photographs. The diversity, quantity and vitality of fish life in the seas around the Galapagos is every bit as dramatic as the exotic wildlife above!
  • Galapagos: A Natural History - Michael H. Jackson:
    Published in 1998 this is a comprehensive guidebook, with photographs and easy to read text, detailing the natural history of the plants and animals found in the Galapagos Islands. There is also an index and checklist of plants and animals and a glossary of technical terms, as well as details of visitor sites.
  • Galapagos Wildlife - David Horwell and Pete Oxford (Bradt):
    Written by two expert naturalists who are passionate about the Galápagos, this guide is packed with descriptions and photography to help identify key species both on land and below water. There is also detailed descriptions of island landing sites and information on conservation efforts, making this a must-read both before and during a visit to the islands.
  • Voyage of the Beagle - Charles Darwin: The account of Darwin's time on the Beagle.
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