The Humboldt Current: Nineteenth-Century Exploration and the Roots of American EnvironmentalismA masterly and beautifully written account of the impact of Alexander von Humboldt on nineteenth-century American history and culture The naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) achieved unparalleled fame in his own time. Today, however, he and his enormous legacy to American thought are virtually unknown. In The Humboldt Current, Aaron Sachs traces Humboldt's pervasive influence on American history through examining the work of four explorers—J. N. Reynolds, Clarence King, George Wallace, and John Muir—who embraced Humboldt's idea of a "chain of connection" uniting all peoples and all environments. A skillful blend of narrative and interpretation that also discusses Humboldt's influence on Emerson, Whitman, Thoreau, Melville, and Poe, The Humboldt Current offers a colorful, passionate, and superbly written reinterpretation of nineteenth-century American history. |
From inside the book
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Page 1
... explaining to the passengers that it was best to drown one's sorrows before actually drowning . The passengers were not amused . Most of them were drenched , sleepless , and somewhat terrified . Humboldt's thirty - five remaining ...
... explaining to the passengers that it was best to drown one's sorrows before actually drowning . The passengers were not amused . Most of them were drenched , sleepless , and somewhat terrified . Humboldt's thirty - five remaining ...
Page 11
... explaining Humboldt's significance in the world of science and particularly in America . While Agassiz was best qualified to discuss Humboldt's contributions in the fields of mineralogy , botany , " The Chain of Connection " II.
... explaining Humboldt's significance in the world of science and particularly in America . While Agassiz was best qualified to discuss Humboldt's contributions in the fields of mineralogy , botany , " The Chain of Connection " II.
Page 12
... explained : “ In considering the study of physical phenomena . . . , we find its noblest and most important result to be a knowledge of the chain of connection , by which all natural forces are linked together , and made mutually ...
... explained : “ In considering the study of physical phenomena . . . , we find its noblest and most important result to be a knowledge of the chain of connection , by which all natural forces are linked together , and made mutually ...
Page 21
... explained , would be dedicated " to my Wife and her ten children . " And , finally , he named as his most prominent " protector " the distinguished " Baron Alex . de Humboldt . " 38 With government sponsorship not immediately ...
... explained , would be dedicated " to my Wife and her ten children . " And , finally , he named as his most prominent " protector " the distinguished " Baron Alex . de Humboldt . " 38 With government sponsorship not immediately ...
Page 27
... explained , the most important lesson of " communion with nature " was an awareness of " the narrow limits of our own existence . " 61 Eventually promoted to rear admiral , Melville served as engineer - in - chief of the navy for ...
... explained , the most important lesson of " communion with nature " was an awareness of " the narrow limits of our own existence . " 61 Eventually promoted to rear admiral , Melville served as engineer - in - chief of the navy for ...
Contents
In the Lena Delta Arctic Tragedy and American Imperialism | 273 |
The Cruise of the Corwin Nature Natives Nation | 305 |
The Grounding of American Environmentalism | 338 |
Acknowledgments | 359 |
Chronology | 369 |
Other editions - View all
The Humboldt Current: Nineteenth-Century Exploration and the Roots of ... Aaron Sachs Limited preview - 2007 |
The Humboldt Current: Nineteenth-Century Exploration and the Roots of ... Aaron Sachs No preview available - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
actually Alexander American Arctic Asa Gray become Boston California called century Chicago civilization Clarence King Collection connection Cosmos culture earth environmental expedition experience explained exploration fact field finally forces frontier Geological George Henry History human Humboldt Humboldtian imagination Indians instance interest Island James Jeannette John John Muir journal kind King's land landscape later letter Library living look March Melville Mount Mountaineering Muir Narrative natives nature Nevada never North noted original Pacific perhaps Personal political published quoted referred regions repr Review Reynolds Reynolds's River scientific scientists seemed sense simply social Society South suggested Survey Symmes theory thought tion translation turned understand United University Press volume Voyage Washington West wilderness writing wrote York