In June 1799, Alexander von Humboldt set out on his legendary research journey that took him across South and Central America. It was the realization of a long-held dream and an expedition that made history. Nearly two hundred years later, the author Werner Biermann followed Humboldt's route. Just like the original expedition, he navigated the treacherous rapids of the Orinoco, traversed the jungle, and climbed the peaks of the Andes. Based on his own experiences and historical, often little-known sources, he retraces Humboldt's epochal journey – capturing both his adventurous encounters and breathtaking discoveries. This is a brilliantly written historical report and an impressive character portrait of a world figure who continues to captivate us to this day.