The Incredible yet True Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt: The Greatest Inventor-Naturalist-Scientist-Explorer Who Ever Lived is an biography for children written by Volker Mehnert and illustrated by Claudia Lieb. Explorer. Scientist. Polymath. Hero. In his day, Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) was among the most renowned scholars of the Enlightenment. He led pioneering expeditions in Central and South America (including the Amazon rainforest) as well as in Siberia, and he arguably founded the natural sciences as we know them. Charles Darwin called Humboldt “the greatest scientific traveler who ever lived,” and credited him with inspiring the journey that resulted in On the Origin of Species. And yet, in history books, Humboldt has been eclipsed by his intellectual heirs and admirers—such as Darwin himself, John Muir, and Henry David Thoreau—until now.
The Incredible yet True Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt is a well written and researched book about an explorer and inventor that took part in many amazing expeditions and had a great impact on science. I like that it the story began with Humbolt being intelligent but distract able and frustrating his tutor. I think that could inspire readers with similar challenges academically to find their niche and work hard. Although I did find myself siding with his family a little as he quit his job and started exploring the world. It must be nice to do what ever you want with no obligations or money concerns, but I digress.I was glad to learn about his work, and thought the writing was easy to follow and accessible to middle grade readers. I liked the illustrated pages, and think the artwork added a great deal to the finished product. As a whole, it was a little dry at times and while I can admire the work he did, and the fact that it was not easy all the time, I cannot help but think about how many others with the same interests and intelligence could have done alongside, before, or after to further science if they only had the same opportunities.
The Incredible yet True Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt is an interesting and informative look at one inquisitive man's life. I like that it showed some of the challenges that he faced in his efforts to research and explore, but that the privilege of bring a rich man allowed him the opportunities that others with similar interests would not have had.
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