Plundering Paradise

The Hand of Man on the Galápagos Islands

Michael D’Orso

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For Diane

We may infer from these facts, what havoc the introduction of any new beast of prey must cause in a country, before the instincts of the aborigines become adapted to the stranger’s craft or power.


—CHARLES DARWIN,
Voyage of the Beagle

Map

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CONTENTS

Epigraph

Map

Prologue


ONE

 

The Village

TWO

 

El Loco

THREE

 

Año Viejo

FOUR

 

Fire and Ice

FIVE

 

San Cristobal

SIX

 

Four and a Half

SEVEN

 

The Station

EIGHT

 

Cobblestones

NINE

 

Tranquilo

TEN

 

Paradise

ELEVEN

 

The Other Side

TWELVE

 

Cigars and Wine

THIRTEEN

 

Cerrado

FOURTEEN

 

Grandeur

Epilogue

Notes, Acknowledgments, and Sources

About the Author

Praise

Other Books by Michael D’Orso

Copyright

About the Publisher