Review by Choice Review
That Humboldt was a polyglot is no surprise to anyone who has read his work or about him. That his fieldwork broke ground for future research methodology is currently accepted by the cognoscenti. That his holistic approach inspired many to pursue similar methodologies in their own studies is a given. That he wrote voluminously and his works are still reprinted as reference material and translated to other languages is evidence of the value of his scholarship and contributions. However, this latest translation by Kutzinski and Ette brings Humboldt, the man, to a new level of understanding. The authors show Humboldt as a humanist who shows emotions and displays strong opinions about certain issues of social importance, such as his disdain for slavery. Furthermore, Humboldt dared to contradict the publications of many of his predecessors and contemporaries who wrote without ever setting foot in the New World. It is precisely this aspect that makes the book a valuable addition to the literature. The authors explicitly translated Humboldt's words literally, unlike previous interpretations that edited out inconvenient themes. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. L. Yacher Southern Connecticut State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
