The first explorer of the theory of evolution and the boldest of all naturalists. A scientific thriller about the greatest naturalist of the 19th century alongside Humboldt and Darwin. He led an incredibly exciting life, his scientific reach was breathtaking, his social commitment legendary - and he discovered the principle of evolution. Compared to the thoughtful Charles Darwin, he was an Indiana Jones of natural research and an Ernest Hemingway of nature description. Craters on the Moon and Mars, flying frogs, and entire geographical regions are named after him. But why is such a figure so little known today? On his first adventurous journey, the school dropout and autodidact explored Brazil for four years - but on the return trip, his ship caught fire in the middle of the ocean and sank. Wallace only saved his life; his fantastic scientific collection was lost.