*Review based on experiencing the book as an audiobook

An incredible amount of research went in to this book, and for that I applaud the author. While I thoroughly enjoyed learning about such an impactful scientist that I had never heard of, I think I would have enjoyed this book more if a lot of the content had not been included. I understand why the author spent so much time discussing the impact that Humboldt had on other scientists, but I would have preferred if much of it had been condensed. At times I forgot I was listening to a book about Humboldt because of the in depth descriptions of so many others’ lives.