Galapagos : Discovery on Darwin's Island
Ever since Darwin boarded the Beagle , there has been a fascination with the Galapagos Islands. Geologically young, these volcanic islands sometimes display "an evolutionary process so obvious it leaps out at you like a full-color illustration." Steadman, a paleontologist and the subject of a PBS documentary by Zousmer, summarizes Darwin's discovery, as well as eight years of his own research. Descriptions of native vertebrate species (including all resident bird species) are illustrated with color plates. There is a wonderful essay by the artist, Steadman's brother Lee, although his watercolors were, unfortunately, unavailable for review. This lively, well-written account will have wide appeal. Laurie Bartolini, Lincoln Lib., Springfield , Ill.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.