audiobook Confederates in the Tropics: Charles Swett's Travelogue by Sharon Hartman Strom; Frederick Stirton Weaver in History

Description

A chronological tour of the history of exploration in the style of The Map Book; by the world's leading expert. Before the turn of the 19th century; ventures into uncharted lands required material or spiritual reward to justify the perils of shipwreck and hostile natives; and dangers yet unknown. Until recent times exploration for the sake of knowledge alone was rare; and mostly undertaken by intrepid traders; gold seekers and valiant Christian missionaries. The Book of Exploration elegantly presents more than 150 of the most influential and unusual journeys of discovery; setting each firmly in its historical context. Chronicling the personalities and motivations; the conditions that had to be endured; and the contribution these explorations have made to our knowledge of the world; it is replete with extraordinary personalities: the heroic adventurers who set out into the unknown; battling against the elements in order to commit their findings to journals and maps; the pioneers who risked everything in search of fabled riches; and the explorers who set out to conquer the deserts; poles and oceans of the globe. Organized simply and chronologically; beautifully illustrated with contemporary maps; paintings; journal entries and other artifacts; and with entertaining asides and sometimes unorthodox interpretations based on the author's lifetime study of the subject; The Book of Exploration is a sumptuous feast for anyone interested in world history and geography.