Penetrating biographies written by a group of distinguished travel writers, broadcasters, and historians reveal the lives, motives, and passions of forty major explorers in history. It has always been mankind’s gift, or curse, to be inquisitive, and through the ages people have been driven to explore the limits of the worlds known to them—and beyond. Here are the stories of forty of the world’s greatest explorers from Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. These are men and women who changed our perception of the world through their courageous adventures. Organized thematically, the book opens with the oceanic journeys of five hundred years ago, when the great era of recorded exploration began. The following sections look at The Land, Rivers, Polar Ice, Deserts, Life on Earth, and New Frontiers. Many of these explorers recounted their journeys in vivid firsthand accounts; others were superb artists or photographers. The book features quotes from their journals and reports, and it is illustrated with paintings, photographs, engravings, and maps, so that we can experience their adventures through their own eyes and in their own words. Featured explorers include: Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, James Cook, Lewis and Clark, Richard Burton, Samuel de Champlain, David Livingstone, Roald Amundsen, Gertrude Bell, Alexander von Humboldt, Yuri Gagarin, and Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

"Embarquez pour un voyage épique à travers "The Great Explorers of the Nineteenth Century" avec Jules Verne comme votre guide littéraire. Dans cette œuvre captivante, Verne dévoile les récits héroïques des explorateurs intrépides du XIXe siècle qui ont repoussé les limites de l'inconnu. Plongez dans des aventures épiques, de l'exploration des pôles à la traversée de terres mystérieuses. Verne tisse des récits palpitants, révélant les exploits de personnalités audacieuses qui ont façonné l'histoire des découvertes. Ce livre est bien plus qu'une simple compilation d'exploits; c'est une célébration de la bravoure humaine et de la soif inextinguible de connaissances. Explorez le monde à travers les yeux de ces visionnaires, et laissez-vous emporter par l'excitation de l'inexploré et l'esprit infatigable de l'aventure."

This abridgement of the late Samuel Eliot Morison's magnum opus, The European Discovery of America, which the Journal of Southern History called "an epic work of true grandeur," and the Virginia Quarterly Review considered "a great book by a great historian," preserves the originality, scholarship, and vivid descriptions of the original volumes.

The Great Explorers of North America: Complete Biographies, Historical Documents, Journals & Letters' is an evocative anthology that traverses the expansive terrains of North American exploration through a varied tapestry of literary styles. This collection encapsulates the monumental journeys, diverse methodologies, and the profound impact of exploration on both the land and its peoples. Within its pages, the anthology breathes life into history by presenting an array of perspectives, from the detailed biographical accounts to the intimate reflections found in personal letters and journals. It highlights the rich mosaic of experiences, encapsulated in standout pieces that reveal the depth and complexity of the continent's exploration history. The compilation not only serves as a historical record but also as a medium of cultural and geographical enlightenment, showcasing the significance and diversity of the works included. The contributing authors and editors, Stephen Leacock, Edward Everett Hale, Julius E. Olson, Thomas A. Janvier, Frederick A. Ober, Charles W. Colby, and Elizabeth Hodges, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the anthology. Their collective backgrounds, spanning academia, literature, and history, align with the collection's overarching theme, enriching it with their varied insights into historical, cultural, and literary movements. Together, these voices create a multifaceted narrative that deepens the reader's understanding of North American exploration, reflecting the complexities and the myriad perspectives that have shaped its history. 'The Great Explorers of North America' is an indispensable resource for anyone keen on delving into the history of exploration with a desire to understand its multifaceted nature. It offers readers a unique opportunity to explore a confluence of narratives, each contributing to a greater comprehension of the theme. This collection is recommended for its educational value, the breadth of insights it provides, and the enriching dialogue it fosters between the various authors' works, making it a valuable addition to the library of scholars, historians, and enthusiasts alike.

The early explorers up through those of the early part of the last century were the supreme users of management practices that have been formalized today. Their expeditions had all the characteristics of a business project: goal setting, strategizing, applying finite resources, risk-taking, keeping people, dealing with competitors, and many others. During actual expeditions, the leaders faced many risks, issues, and conflicts that challenge the best leaders today, from small to large enterprises. Like all projects and business ventures, the expeditions met their goal, either partially or entirely, and in some cases even exceeded it or failed it completely. Management Lessons from the Great Explorers selects the most famous, and in some cases infamous, explorers to discuss and analyze the good and bad management practices—even though these explorers may have never called them management practices—they used before, during, and even after their expeditions. Each chapter provides historical background about one explorer and the details about their explorations. The chapters then discuss the challenges the explorers faced when planning and executing their expeditions and examine their successes and failures from a management perspective. The book will help managers to Manage unexpected and potentially catastrophic risks Set goals that open up new horizons Communicate effectively with team members Lead teams through hardships and difficulties The final chapter gives lessons learned that managers may take from the book and apply to their own business undertakings. These lessons include Learning from experience Having a strong sponsor and team Relying on data and information Applying risk management and adapting to changing circumstances Implementing unity of command and defining roles and responsibilities Identifying and understanding stakeholders Being decisive Being willing to say no