Description
Brief description of the travels in America by the Com
Book Summary
This work offers a unique testimony of one of the most ambitious Spanish scientific expeditions of the 19th century. Written by the Cuban anthropologist Manuel Almagro y Vega, the chronicle narrates the voyage of the Pacific Scientific Commission, a mission that departed from Cádiz in 1862 to explore the American continent. The reader will find a detailed account that combines naturalistic observation with travel writing, from stops in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde to the crossing of the Strait of Magellan and the exploration of Peru, Central America, and Mexico. An essential historical document for understanding science and exploration in the late colonial era.
What is it about?
The book is the personal memoir of Manuel Almagro y Vega, a member of the Pacific Scientific Commission, a Spanish expedition that set sail from the port of Cádiz on August 10, 1862. The fleet, composed of the frigates Nuestra Señora del Triunfo, the Resolución, and the schooner Covadonga, began its journey with stops in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, then skirted the coast of Brazil to reach Uruguay.
At this point, the expedition divided into two groups: one went inland to the west, while the other, to which Jiménez de la Espada belonged, continued by sea, crossing the Strait of Magellan. Both groups reunited in Chile, from where the mission explored the coast of Peru, Central America, Mexico, and California, before finally returning to Peru. The narrative is cut short by the outbreak of the Spanish-South American war against Peru and Chile, which forced the scientific vessels to join a war squadron led by the frigate La Numancia, participating in military operations. This event, recorded by Benito Pérez Galdós in his novel The Voyage Around the World on the Numancia, marks the abrupt end of the scientific expedition.
Main Topics
- 19th-century scientific exploration in South and Central America
- Travel chronicles and transoceanic navigation
- History of the Pacific Scientific Commission (1862-1865)
- Anthropology and observation of American cultures
- Impact of the Spanish-South American war on scientific missions
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the history of science, geographical exploration, and 19th-century travel chronicles. It is especially relevant for historians, anthropologists, and scholars of the Spanish presence in America, as well as anyone who enjoys true adventure stories and first-hand documentation on scientific expeditions.
What this book offers
- A direct and little-known testimony of one of the most important scientific expeditions of the Spanish 19th century
- A detailed view of the maritime routes, stops, and logistical challenges of transoceanic navigation at the time
- Historical context on the development of science in the colonial sphere and its interruption by military conflicts
- Anthropological and geographical observations of regions such as Chile, Peru, Central America, and Mexico
Technical specifications
- Author: Almagro y Vega, Manuel
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: CLASSIC TEXTS
- Collection: HISTORY-TRAVELS
- Binding: Hardcover
- Publication date: April 2025
- Number of pages: 150
- Weight: 100 g
Editorial assessment
This edition from Linkgua recovers a fundamental text for the history of Spanish scientific exploration. The chronicle by Manuel Almagro y Vega stands out for its documentary value, offering a personal and detailed view of an expedition that combined naturalistic research with deep-sea navigation. The narrative, which spans from the Atlantic to the Pacific, is enriched by the historical context of the Spanish-South American war, which transformed a scientific mission into a war adventure. It is essential reading for those seeking to understand 19th-century science from a rigorous and testimonial perspective.