One of the most beautiful—and important—books you will ever read!

…A comprehensive photographic and written insight into the complex problems associated with the conservation of the very special ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.
-From the Foreword by His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

2009 is without a doubt the year of Charles Darwin. Not only does it mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of his groundbreaking study, The Origin of Species, but also the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth; the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Galapagos National Park; and the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Charles Darwin Foundation. What better way to celebrate than with this spectacular photographic homage to the Galapagos Islands—officially endorsed by both the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Foundation.

This unmatched volume pays tribute to a place that’s extolled as one of the world’s most popular eco-destinations. The book has a special design that transforms it into an unusual two-sided coffee book. The first section consists of amazing images that showcase the islands’ natural wonders. Then, flip it over to read the second section: a compelling description of the struggle to maintain this amazing ecological environment.

Stunning visuals of the islands’ green and thriving landscape and its diverse wildlife—including the famed tortoises, waved albatrosses, blue-footed boobies, and dolphins—provide a full understanding of the Galapagos’s extraordinary ecosystem. The comprehensive text enhances the images with background on the struggle for conservation, the remarkable achievements of the National Park and the Foundation, and future challenges of maintaining this fragile and breathtaking region in an era of out-of-control development. And all of this natural beauty and information comes in an exquisite, high-quality package—oversized, superbly bound in hardcover, with the museum-quality photographs printed on the finest art paper.

Pete Oxford, a British biologist and resident of Ecuador since 1985, is an internationally renowned, award-winning nature photographer who has been published in National Geographic, Smithsonian, International Wildlife, BBC Wildlife, GEO, Airone, and Nature’s Best. He is a former naturalist guide in the Galapagos, has lead innumerable trips to the islands, and is a founding member of the Association of Interpretative Guides of Galapagos. He is also a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers (ICLP). Pete works as a team with his long-time partner and wife Reneé Bish, with whom he has published eight books, two of which focus entirely on the Galapagos.

British Biologist Graham Watkins has spent most of his life working in tropical South America, mainly Ecuador and Guyana. He was the Executive Director of the Charles Darwin Foundation in Galapagos until 2009, and was previously the Director General of the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development in Guyana. Graham’s professional portfolio includes more than twenty years of experience in ecological research; collaborative wildlife and fisheries management; and sustainable enterprise development in aquaculture, fisheries, and tourism. He has published more that thirty popular and technical articles and books, and holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution from the University of Pennsylvania.