Charles Darwin´s voyage on HMS Beagle is a gripping adventure story, and a turning point in the making of the modern world. Brought together here in chronological order, the letters he wrote and recceived during his trip provide a first-hand account of a voyage of discovery that was as much personal as intellectual. We follow Darwin´s adventures as he prepares for his travels, lands on his first tropical island, watches an earthquake level a city, and learns how to catch ostriches from a running horse. With an introduction by leading Darwin scholar Janet Browne. Contains the complete texts of all letters the young naturalist Charles Darwin wrote and received while sailing around the world on HMS Beagle between 1831 and 1836. Illustrated with contemporary watercolour paintings by Conrad Martens, the artist who travelled on board HMS Beagle, providing vivid first-hand observations from the voyage.