Title: The other way around
First published: 1996
Description: One hundred and fifty years after Charles Darwin completed his epic voyage in HMS Beagle, a research ship owned and operated by the UK's Natural Environment Research Council and bearing the name of the famous scientist began another global circumnavigation that would take her away from her home base for three and a half years.

Unlike HMS Beagle, the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Charles Darwin would not be dedicated to the scientific endeavours of one man, but would support some two dozen scientific teams studying topics as diverse as the causes of El Nino, deep sea currents in the Indian Ocean, or the speed with which the Indian subcontinent moves towards Asia.

The HMS Beagle sailed westwards around the globe whereas RRS Charles Darwin travelled eastwards - hence the book's title The Other Way Around. At points where their respective journeys crossed, the author of this book, Frank P. Verdon, discusses the similarities and contrasts between science and conditions at sea during the two periods of history. He also relates stories by and about the scientists and crew of RRS Charles Darwin, to show that life at sea is neither all science nor all sunbathing.

The author was actively involved in much of the planning and operation of this round the world voyage and he successfully manages to explain the complexities of modern scientific research in terms that the non-scientist will understand. The book gives a vivid picture of some of the excitement that today's scientists experience when their research actually reveals some unexpected discovery.
Subjects: Charles Darwin (Ship), Oceanography, Research, Voyages around the world
LC classification: GC63.C47 V47 1996