Simons has given us a bracingly fresh portrait of the young Darwin, the man long ago lost behind the great white beard. Here is Darwin as only another young naturalist could find him, and to see the world through those avid eyes, groping for the theory that would explain all he has so brilliantly observed is nothing less that exhilarating... Too often we forget that major accomplishments often stem from youthful abandon. 20-something Darwin had a rippin' good time mingling with South America's gauchos and iguanas. Discovering this inspired Simon to retrace the great naturalist's rambling tracks and the result is this wildly entertaining reminder that science and exploration can be a blast...