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9780645106886

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This book is the story of how continental drift has created the world in which we live, and, in particular, the unique and fascinating archipelago of Indonesia, a string of islands which spans Europe and Australasia, a volatile and diverse region. The book is also a wonderful retelling of the tales of three great British naturalists: Joseph Banks who charted the east coast of Australia with Cook; Charles Darwin, whose youthful voyages on the Beagle resulted in our modern understandings of the natural world, and the lesser-known Alfred Russel Wallace, whose wanderings across what is now the Indonesian archipelago, led to his own theory of natural selection..The writing is a robust; no-nonsense. It is the writing of a man who means business, and it builds trust. The story is light and entertaining yet full of insight. Through the frequent use of excerpts from Banks, Darwin and Wallace's own writing, we get to see the world through their eyes. And through this, we get occasional glimpses of a wry, understated humour.These were men of the world; artists, writers, scientists, adventurers, seafarers. It raises the question, where are these men and women today? After reading this book I am inclined to answer that Ian Burnet may be one of them - a scientist, an historian, a traveller and a fine writer.- Mark Heyward - The Jakarta Post

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Ian Burnet grew up in South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia and has a degree in Geology and Geophysics from Melbourne University. He has spent more than thirty years living, working, and travelling in Indonesia, and his books show his fascination with the diverse history of the vast archipelago to the north of Australia.

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