Too much depature from historical fact - Rated 
This book is a rattling good read but strays so very far from historical facts that it must not be used as a source of what really happened. Right from the first chapter, the author departs from the truth. The Captain before FitzRoy committed suicide in his cabin, not on shore. FitzRoy did not give Darwin Lyell's first volume on geology: Darwin wrote that he took the book with him. Worst of all are the totally fictitious and unnecessary accounts of Darwin discussing his theory of the origin of species during visits by FitzRoy to Darwin's London home after the voyage. Darwin told only three people and FitzRoy was nor one of them. It is difficult to understand why the author departed so far from the truth when it was not necessary. Even his portrayal of FizRoy as a gentle Captain doesn't fit other accounts. In presenting FitzRoy's character, the author does not make it clear that he seemed to suffer from a degree of religious mania, rather more than simply a belief in Christianity. Possibly because of his chronic illness (probably manic depression), he was also subject to savage rages when he would treat his crew abominably. At that time, it was hard to keep control on board without fierce discipline. Many sailors were pressed men and some were the dregs of society. In the book only one sailor is flogged during a voyage of nearly five years. Very unlikely. Nevertheless, there are thrilling, vivid, well written accounts in the book of a terrible storm and, later, of a catastrophic earthquake. Read this book as a novel and don't worry about historical truth.
An excellent, informative read. - Rated 
This is not a book you will forget about in a hurry. Like many people, I started with little knowledge of Robert Fitzroy and a great deal more of Charles Darwin. Through the story's gripping action sequences at sea through to the politics of life back in England, this is a thoroughly enjoyable read and will teach you much about the remarkable achievements of this great man. It is a great tragedy that Fitzroy is not more well-known. His lack of fame does an injustice to his passion and discoveries.
It is worth noting that as with many other reviewers on here, I am not normally attracted to reading a historical novel, in particular one so long. However after having this recommended to me by a family member I decided to take the leap. Definitely one of the best books I have ever read.
An astonishing piece of writing - Rated
Having read this book, I feel I ought to go back and re-score all the other books that I have previously reviewed, knocking them down at least one star each. Either that or I should apply for the right to give this a 6 star rating! 5-stars just doesn't do it justice.
It is epic but has a delicate touch, particularly in terms of characterisation. The minutae of detail (historic, geographic and scientific) for example, is extra-ordinary but never 'bogs you down.'
I have never come across a book like this and doubt I will again. It has it all (including - off the top of my head):-
A wonderful, sympathetic - but never sentimental - study of two contrasting, but extraordinary, Victorian characters, namely Charles Darwin and Captain Fitzroy;
A brilliant depiciton of the Victorian period (including the Crimean War, the growth of London, the height of Empire and the peak of British Colonialisation). So brilliant in fact that it has the effect of of bringing the period closer to you - so close you feel you are there;
Humourous episodes-a-plenty;
Adventures and tragedy on treacherous storm-ridden seas;
Daring naval battles and other such feats of daring-do;
Stories of individual courage;
Stories of individual weakness;
The birth of nations such as New Zealand and Argentina (and the ensuing fight over the Falklands);
The beginning of the end of ancient cultures and indigenous populations (such as the Maoris of New Zealand);
Political intrigue;
An excellent, thought-provoking, but again never sentimental, study of manic-depression;
An insight into Victorian geology;
Sociology;
Victorian anthropology;
Subtle, believable, suitably-stifled, perfectly-portrayed romances;
A study of the changing understanding of botany;
The birth of modern day metreology;
A brilliant depiction of Victorian physical geography (not to mention brilliantly evoked locations);
The struggle between religion, faith and science;
Social-geography;
and lastly, Oceanography.
Yet, despite this (by no means exhasutive) list, it manages to be a true page-turner. It never gets dull. It never loses you. It informs (and by jove how!) but doesn't patronise. It is a work of staggering genius. I cannot recommend it enough.
Reading this book has been a true pleasure and an education (in terms of the period and on how to write). It IS an astonishing piece of writing and should have won the Booker Prize; that it didn't speaks volumes of the judging panel.
An outstanding book about a remarkable man. - Rated
This fictional novel about Robert Fitzroy also sheds light on race, religion, science and colonialism of the time. Based upon real events that took place between 1828 and 1865, it includes an account of the voyage of HMS Beagle and naturally involves the friendship and later enmity between Fitzroy and Charles Darwin. It was listed as a contender for the Booker Prize but didn't win, which is a shame as it's an excellent book from beginning to end.
It begins with the suicide of the captain of HMS Beagle, Captain Pringle Stokes, following a bout of depression. Being the skipper of a naval vessel can be lonely at the best of times, but considering that the Beagle was at sea for freezing and stormy months on end while the crew was carrying out a hydrographic survey of Tierra del Fuego, depression is not so surprising. Young Fitzroy took over the Beagle in Rio and quickly made the ship his own, impressing his crew with his seamanship and bravery.
On more than one occasion Fitzroy's seamanship and his reliance on barometers saved his ship and the crew from devastating storms. One winter, he lost two toes through frostbite but never complained. His men would follow him anywhere, it seems. Very early on it was apparent that Fitzroy had an enquiring mind and really believed that weather could be predicted providing enough knowledge of the air currents was available.
To stave off loneliness and ever-hovering depression, Fitzroy offered a place on the ship to a gentleman who would serve as a naturalist. Charles Darwin applied when others had turned down the position. They got on very well most of the time and Darwin admired Fitzroy's seamanship and leadership.
At some ports, Darwin was put ashore to study the geology and flora. Darwin's travelled inland across plains and lived with gauchos and climbed mountains, up to a height of 13,000 feet where water boils at a lower temperature. He encountered blood-sucking beetles and vampire bats.
Of course it was during the voyage of the Beagle that Darwin conceived his theory of evolution, which essentially denied the Biblical creation of the world espoused at the time. Fitzroy believed in the truth of the Old Testament and the Flood, even pointing to the evidence of sea-shells and sea-creature fossils in the mountains. On this point they argued vociferously.
Fitzroy suffered severe bouts of depression; indeed, though the ailment wasn't diagnosed at the time, he was believed to be a manic depressive. Fitzroy's uncle, Lord Castlereagh, had suffered from depression and killed himself while in office.
Thompson's description of Fitzroy's depression is eloquent and haunting: `... a shapeless, nameless dread that had removed him to its lair, a place more terrifying than any nightmare he had ever endured...' The book's title is from The Tempest and refers to this dark depression.
Yet despite this hovering darkness, he achieved so much and earned the unswerving loyalty of his officers and crew. As Fitzroy said, `A gentleman should always place duty and pubic service ahead of all other things.'
When the Beagle returned to England, Fitzroy carried with him three natives from Tierra del Fuego, intending that they be taught English and a Christian outlook. He promised to return them to their homeland to act as missionaries. The girl was Fuegia Basket, the men were Jemmy Button and York Minster. Their story at times proves very moving.
The voyage lasted five years and Darwin had collected 1,529 specimens preserved in spirits, and 3,907 labelled skins, bones and other dried specimens. The men of the Beagle had produced 202 charts and plans.
Thompson has captured the time and place very well indeed. Some phrases ring bells, too. `And the Tories, of course, seem quite incapable of winning an election.' In 1841 Fitzroy was elected the Tory MP for Durham and earned the enmity of unscrupulous selfish politicians. Income tax was running at a staggering three per cent. The British Isles was considered to be overcrowded, so it was put forward that New Zealand should be populated. Fitzroy took over from the deceased first Governor. Commercial interests succeeded in getting Fitzroy removed from his post for political expediency and the massacre of the Maoris began shortly afterwards.
He was appointed as the chief of a new department that collected weather data at sea, fine-tuning the British Meteorological Register. He even invented the Fitzroy barometer and thousands were mass-produced and distributed, all helping him to build up a weather history. In due course he hoped to use the statistics to foretell the weather, though he was up against ignorant men in power.
Unlike the political pygmies of today, Fitzroy gave selflessly. He never sought glory or riches. Despite his serious illness that could descend without warning, he achieved so much. He believed that sunspot activity affects the weather and, besides inventing the weather forecast, his contribution to nautical history was considerable. His charts were so precise that they continued to be used until recently being usurped by aerial photography. He saved hundreds if not thousands of lives with the forecasts and introduced the system of masters' certificates for ship's officers. He pioneered the use of the lightning conductor and the Beaufort scale. He introduced the terms `port' (as opposed to `larboard') and `dinghy' instead of jolly-boat into the Royal Navy.
Fitzroy set an example of honour and sacrifice which greatly influenced men who sailed with him. And in 2002, the shipping area previously known as Finisterre was renamed Fitzroy, the only sea area named after a person.
There are four maps - South America, Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, Galapagos Islands and the Falkland Islands - all of which prove helpful.
A very nice surprise! - Rated
Being honest I only bought this book because of the good reviews here, the historical period and the subject of the book are not precisely what I like to read. Having said that, I found the book very well written and the 'adventure' it relates is great. Couldn't put it down until finished... I think I may even have another go at it....
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