About “The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt”

Top 10 Spiegel Bestseller in Germany

Winner Wissensbuch des Jahres 2019 / Science Book 2019 “bild der Wissenschaft”

Best Nature and Travel Books of 2019, Kirkus Reviews

Fantastic Books for the End of 2019, NPR Morgen Edition

Deutschlandfunk Kultur: Best Non-Fiction Books 2019

Winner ITB Book Awards 2020, Category: Special Travel Books 

To be published in 9 countries.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Invention of Nature, comes a breathtakingly illustrated and brilliantly evocative recounting of Alexander von Humboldt’s five–year expedition in South America. Humboldt (1769-1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, but his most revolutionary idea was a radical vision of nature as a complex and interconnected global force that does not exist for the use of humankind alone. To celebrate Alexander von Humboldt’s 250thbirthday in 2019, Andrea Wulf partners with artist Lillian Melcher to bring this daring expedition to life.Inspired by his diaries, plant specimens, engravings, sketches, maps and drawings, Wulf tells this story from a completely new perspective, revealing a man who was not only the most famous scientist of his time, but who also believed that the arts and sciences were intrinsically connected. Melcher’s stunning illustrations bring alive Humboldt’s adventures, from his dangerous river journey along the Orinoco to his spectacular climb of Chimborazo.The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldttells a story of hardship, danger, excitement and discovery, but also of Humboldt’s encounters with the natural world, the indigenous people of South America and his early warnings of harmful human-induced climate change. The result is a lush and thrilling journey of discovery through Humboldt’s years in South America.

Download Sample Pages ADVENTURES

Here is a short animation

English: https://youtu.be/nyVSKcZjcb8

German: https://youtu.be/GrmE7DHKTSk

Book trailer (German) click here

The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt will be published in Germany, UK, US, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy.

Reviews

“Andrea Wulf is a historian with a licence for bestsellers.”  – ZDF Markus Lanz 

“An opulently illustrated book. Wulf tells the story of the explorer’s enthralling journey – the man who changed our view of the world forever.” – Die Zeit

“A wonderful rich graphic novel.’ – New Scientist

“A delightful recounting, in word and image, of the work of a pioneering scientist and world traveler … Readers new to Humboldt will surely find themselves fascinated by a man who went everywhere, saw everything, and spoke with the luminaries of his time, from Jefferson to Napoleon. And those who have already read and admired The Invention of Nature will enjoy this delightful graphic presentation. Alexander von Humboldt himself would doubtless have approved. A pleasure for students of science, art, and their intersections.”- Kirkus Reviews

“Glorious … Humboldt would have loved to have written it” – The Bookseller

“The tale of adventure and discovery is well suited to the graphic format, and Wulf and Melcher do it proud. The informative, light-hearted text and inventive illustrations bring Humboldt’s rumbustious character to life … The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt offers a splendid way to begin to know him.” – Nature

“A lush and meticulously illustrated history of his South American expedition … a kaleidoscopic view … The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt gives a true sense of the global scale of his imagination.” – Christian Science Monitor

“Knowledge can be beautiful and thrilling: Wulf and Melcher’s graphic novel proves why the extremely curious and cosmopolitan Alexander von Humboldt is one of the seminal figures of the 21stcentury.” – Denis Scheck, Tagesspiegel

“And with this we get to the most unusual new book about Alexander von Humboldt … I have to admit that during my entire career as a reviewer I have never come across a non–fiction book that I wanted to explore with such intense curiosity from the first to the last page.” – Siggi Seuß, Deutschlandfunk

“If you’re not going on a big holiday this summer yourself, don’t miss this one. The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt follow the great scientist, collector and humanist – with all his quirks, his unwillingness to compromise and his visionary understanding of the world.” – Der Standard, Austria

“More thrilling than fiction.” – Göttinger Tageblatt

“The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt tell stories of hardship, danger, excitement and discoveries but also of Humboldt’s encounters with the indigenous people of South America and his warnings of human–induced climate change. Every page is a sensuous journey of discovery.” – Passauer Neue Presse

“This book is opulent and light–hearted at the same time, as well as always surprising and enriching.” – ZEIT Wissen

“As beguilingly beautiful and thrillingly informative, as it is adventurous.” – Kieler Nachrichten

“A surprisingly topical insight into the mind of this great man: Alexander von Humboldt, the man who wrote about globalisation, climate change and environmentalism. An illustrated book packed with information that will keep you reading and browsing for hours.” – Nürnberger Nachrichten

“A riot of colours and subjects – a delight for discoverers. Humboldt’s curiosity for the American continent is fascinating and contagious.” – Nordkurier

“The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldtis an expression of the scientist’s fascinating obsession – his uncompromising determination to document everything in nature, from the tiniest grass to a mountain peak.” – Standard, Austria

“This is the most unusual book published for Humboldt’s Anniversary. The many illustrations as well as the entertaining text will be enjoyable for young and old.” – Bookreport

 “A genius reading adventure.” – Bild & Funk and HÖRZU

 “Among the books about Humboldt this illustrated voyage of discovery – with its unusually loving details – is amongst the most unusual. One could call the stylistic variety of the collages ‘Humboldtian’, considering his own sweeping interest in everything.” – DPA

“Wulf tells the story in great detail and historically accurate – in speech bubbles and in captions. And as such this graphic novel is real treasure trove. By describing Humboldt as the ancestor of today’s  environmentalists the book becomes incredibly topical.” – Deutschlandfunk Kultur

“The Adventures of Alexander von Humboldt are a visual delight and a treasure trove for everybody who is curious.” – Denis Scheck in ARD »druckfrisch«

“Andrea Wulf’s text is literary and even poetic.” – Deutschlandfunk Kultur

“Gloriously illustrated. A Reading–Adventure!” – Deutsche Welle

“A fantastic book. For the eye, the heart and the mind – very much in the Humboldtian spirit.” – RBB Wissenswerte 

 “Andrea Wulf’s fascination for the scientist jumps off every page and inspires the reader and viewer … the images are expressive and incredibly lively.” – B5 Aktuell, Radio Bayern

“Like her hero, Andrea Wulf dares to enter a new world: one of images. The result is stunning, and a delight for young and old readers alike.” – Tagesspiegel