Geographical discovery and exploration Books

Book SynopsisExplorer and bestselling author Sir Ranulph Fiennes takes a journey around his vast and eccentric family tree, and reveals an amazing family history.Trade ReviewA whirlwind romp through the annals of time, peopled with the good, the bad and downright mad among the Fiennes clan. * Sunday Telegraph *Fascinating...it is some family tree * Adrian Chiles, The One Show *Praise for MAD, BAD AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW * - *'If you ever struggle to drag yourself out of bed on a winter's morning, pick up a copy of Ranulph Fiennes' autobiography. It's an inspiration.' * Mail on Sunday *'Rip-roaringly readable' * Guardian *'Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling' * Time Out *'This is the memoir of a supreme sportsman, an uber-earthling who could show the Martians a thing or two about what the best of us can achieve' * Financial Times Magazine *'"Ran' epitomises British phlegm, and he puts all other glory-seekers to shame. His dry wit, self deprecation and steely determination never to feel a scrap of self-pity are in the very best tradition of British travel writing. Long may he continue tomake us glad that we are not him, while we stand in awe.' * Country Life *'Rip-roaringly readable' * Guardian *'Even readers with a broadly low tolerance for macho heroism will find themselves gripped . . . compelling' * Time Out *'It's exhausting just reading about his exploits, so it is a perfect bedtime book. It's delightful to plump up one's duck-down pillows while vicariously enduring Fiennes's successive plunges into the deadly waters of the Artcic, and his festering crotch-rot.' * Helena Drysdale, New Statesman Books of the Year *'It is lively and vivid, and often exciting as we anticipate each plunge into deadly Arctic waters. There are some wonderful throwaway lines . . . So, not an alien species after all but - as they say - a national treasure.' * Spectator *A very funny, moving and inspiriting look back at the family history of one of the greatest explorers ever to live. We all love Sir Ranulph Fiennes, he never disappoints. And this book is no exception. * Bear Grylls *

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The harrowing story of one of the great feats of exploration of all time and its complicated legacy—from the New York Times bestselling author of The River of Doubt and Destiny of the RepublicA BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: THE WASHINGTON POST • GOODREADSA lean, fast-paced account of the almost absurdly dangerous quest by [Richard Burton and John Speke] to solve the geographic riddle of their era. —The New York Times Book ReviewFor millennia the location of the Nile River’s headwaters was shrouded in mystery. In the 19th century, there was  a frenzy of interest in ancient Egypt. At the same time, European powers sent off waves of explorations intended to map the unknown corners of the globe – and extend their colonial empires.Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim the prize for England. Burton spoke twenty-nine languages, and was a decorated soldier. He was also mercurial, subtle, and an iconoclastic atheist. Speke was a young aristocrat and Army officer determined to make his mark, passionate about hunting, Burton’s opposite in temperament and beliefs.From the start the two men clashed. They would endure tremendous hardships, illness, and constant setbacks. Two years in, deep in the African interior, Burton became too sick to press on, but Speke did, and claimed he found the source in a great lake that he christened Lake Victoria. When they returned to England, Speke rushed to take credit, disparaging Burton. Burton disputed his claim, and Speke launched another expedition to Africa to prove it. The two became venomous enemies, with the public siding with the more charismatic Burton, to Speke’s great envy. The day before they were to publicly debate,Speke shot himself.Yet there was a third man on both expeditions, his name obscured by imperial annals, whose exploits were even more extraordinary. This was Sidi Mubarak Bombay, who was enslaved and shipped from his home village in East Africa to India. When the man who purchased him died, he made his way into the local Sultan’s army, and eventually traveled back to Africa, where he used his resourcefulness, linguistic prowess and raw courage to forge a living as a guide. Without Bombay and men like him, who led, carried, and protected the expedition, neither Englishman would have come close to the headwaters of the Nile, or perhaps even survived.In River of the Gods Candice Millard has written another peerless story of courage and adventure, set against the backdrop of the race to exploit Africa by the colonial powers.

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Book SynopsisDead Men tells the story of two paths: one is a tragic journey of exploration on the world's coldest continent, the other charts a present-day relationship and the redemptive power of love.Trade Review'Describes the peculiar pull of the tragedy of Robert Falcon Scott… fascinating' Telegraph'An expertly told story that captures the detail and spirit of Antarctic adventure, then and now' Sir Ranulph Fiennes

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Book SynopsisA study of a gifted scientist and visionary who embodies the spirit of adventure and discovery.Trade Review" A mediation inspired by Alexander von Humboldt' s journey in Mexico between in 1803- 04, Myron Echenberg has written an engaging, significant, and wide-ranging account. As a result of both diligent research and careful writing, Humboldt' s Mexico is an important contribution to both the study of Humboldt and to the examination of Mexico in the last years of its colonial experience." William Beezley, University of Arizona

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times Bestselling Travel Memoir! The author of Turn Right at Machu Picchu travels the globe in search of the world’s most famous lost city. “Adventurous, inquisitive and mirthful, Mark Adams gamely sifts through the eons of rumor, science, and lore to find a place that, in the end, seems startlingly real indeed.”—Hampton SidesA few years ago, Mark Adams made a strange discovery: Far from alien conspiracy theories and other pop culture myths, everything we know about the legendary lost city of Atlantis comes from the work of one man, the Greek philosopher Plato. Stranger still: Adams learned there is an entire global sub-culture of amateur explorers who are still actively and obsessively searching for this sunken city, based entirely on Plato’s detailed clues.  What Adams didn’t realize was that Atlantis is kind of like a virus—and he’d been exposed. 

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Book SynopsisThere is nothing more disconcerting than someone vanishing into thin air. Unanswered questions abound and the mysteries only tend to grow. The Disappearance of Percy Fawcett and Other Famous Vanishings attempts to provide clarity and background on several individuals’ unexplained departures.While looking for his mythical Lost City of Z, Percy Fawcett vanished. Amelia Earhart did the same while circling the earth on her historic flight. Much like these two historical figures, there has been a slew of cases that have never been solved—noted author Ambrose Bierce, Czar Alexander I, Judge Joseph Force Crater, famed adventurer Richard Halliburton, and others who never managed to return from their adventures. This book examines and documents each case in extensive detail, in an attempt to bring together some of the loose ends.History.com writer Evan Andrews provides a detailed foreword to add some contemporary insight into the accounts of the vanished in The Disappearance of Percy Fawcett and Other Famous Vanishings.

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Book SynopsisA Tudor voyage of exploration - an extraordinary story of daring, discovery, tragedy and pioneering achievement.In the spring of 1553 three ships sailed north-east from London into uncharted waters. The scale of their ambition was breathtaking. Drawing on the latest navigational science and the new spirit of enterprise and discovery sweeping the Tudor capital, they sought a northern passage to Asia and its riches.The success of the expedition depended on its two leaders: Sir Hugh Willoughby, a brave gentleman soldier, and Richard Chancellor, a brilliant young scientist and practical man of the sea. When their ships became separated in a storm, each had to fend for himself. Their fates were sharply divided. One returned to England, to recount extraordinary tales of the imperial court of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The tragic, mysterious story of the other two ships has to be pieced together through the surviving captain's log book, after he and his crew became lost and trapped by the advancing Arctic winter.This long-neglected endeavour was one of the boldest in British history, and its impact was profound. Although the 'merchant adventurers' failed to reach China as they had hoped, their achievements would lay the foundations for England's expansion on a global stage. As James Evans' vivid account shows, their voyage also makes for a gripping story of daring, discovery, tragedy and adventure.Trade ReviewMeticulously researched ... Evans's short, exciting chapters describe the voyage and 16th-century life, technology and politics in glorious detail -- Stephen Coulson * THE LADY *Looking for a short-cut sea route, in 1553 they commissioned Sir Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor to voyage in search of a northeast passage through the Arctic to Asia. Their venture was, says Evans, one of the boldest in English history as a significant turning point in English economic and cultural development. It's also a good story, well told -- Iain Finlayson * THE TIMES *Entertaining and meticulously researched ... Merchant Adventurers is much more than a reconstruction of one of the most fascinating voyages of the Tudor age. The author places the expedition in the wider context of global exploration, mercantile expansion and the establishment of the first joint-stock company. Indeed he argues that the 1553 expedition anticipated the dawn of a new era, one that would see the formation of the East India Company and England's fledgling empire -- Giles Milton * LITERARY REVIEW *Essentially this should be a tale of a spectacular failure, yet Evans' enthusiasm in relating the achievements of their 1553 voyage is infectious ... James Evans' excellent book reminds us that even the most ill-fated attempts broke new ground. These first, tentative missions eventually allowed for the eastern side of the map of the world to be inked in -- Chris Skidmore * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *This is an extraordinary tale of a voyage of discovery every bit as epoch-making as those of Spain and Portugal ... A richly detailed account that is a pleasure to read -- Lucinda Byatt * THE HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY *Evans combines gripping adventure stories with an exploration of the roots of the British empire and national consciousness * YOUR FAMILY TREE *This is the fascinating story of a forgotten few whose deeds had an important long-term impact on Britain's history * THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE *A fascinating insight into the minds of the merchant adventurers who laid the foundations for the British Empire, and much of our politics, for the next 400 years. -- Keith Richmond * TRIBUNE *It is a heroic and tragic tale that for all the commercial and political agents at work remains, above all, a story of courage and endeavour. Evans is alert to the complexities of early modern diplomacy and cultural encounter, and the description of the survivors' experiences in Russia complements well the treatment of what they endured at sea -- Mark Hutchings * LONDON MAGAZINE *James Evans offers an account of an extraordinary 1553 voyage full of daring, discovery, tragedy and pioneering achievement. The Chalk Farm author lifts the lid on how a Britain with little maritime experience came to rule the waves through the efforts of historic pioneers like Sebastian Cabot, Sir Hugh Willoughby and Richard Chancellor * HAM & HIGH *The book's strength is in showing the extent to which the institutional structure of the joint stock company that emerged from the ill-fated voyage as the Muscovy Company was a model that was replicated to form successful ventures in British trade and imperial outreach for the next two centuries -- Robert J. Mayhew * BBC HISTORY *

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Book Synopsis'Deeply researched and well-written' - Financial TimesIn the mid-sixteenth century, England was a small and relatively insignificant kingdom on the periphery of Europe, and it had begun to face a daunting array of social, commercial and political problems. Struggling with a single export - woollen cloth - a group of merchants formed arguably the world's first joint-stock company and set out to seek new markets and trading partners. This start-up venture transformed England in to a global power and sowed the seeds of nascent modern America. New World, Inc. is the riveting story of pilgrims, profits and the venture capitalists behind Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh.'Brilliantly researched and vividly told' - Liaquat Ahamed, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning Lords of FinanceTrade ReviewDeeply researched and well-written * Financial Times *Brilliantly researched and vividly told * Liaquat Ahamed, author of the Pulitzer Prize winning Lords of Finance *Fascinating... Powerful and convincing -- Jerry Brotton * BBC History Magazine *A lively and illuminating revisionist history. * Kirkus Reviews *Part business history, part swashbuckling adventurer's tale... A fascinating read. * Larrie D. Ferreiro, author of Brothers At Arms *New World, Inc. paints a fascinating portrait of personal daring and bold risk taking, of deceit and court intrigue, and of greed and unexpected success. It is a captivating read. * Antoine van Agtmael, author of The Smartest Places on Earth *An intelligent, thorough, and detailed examination of the financial stories powering the earliest voyages to America. Skillfully told, this compelling book elevates the overlooked economic motivations behind the first American settlements to their proper place in history. * Bhu Srinivasan, Author of Americana: A 400-Year History of American Capitalism *Butman and Targett draw from a wealth of archival resources to argue convincingly that the commercial motive was key to English expansion into the New World... [An] engrossing history of adventure and innovation * Library Journal (starred review) *Extraordinary... eye-opening and thoroughly enjoyable * Booklist *Brisk and fascinating * Foreign Affairs *New World, Inc. is fluently and elegantly written, and the reader is drawn from page to page, onwards through this fascinating story. In many ways it reads at times like a novel, but this is a serious piece of historical writing. Human interest and drama sit at the heart of this story, but it is also one of science, innovation, navigational daring, bravery, chance, and resilience. It is a story as exciting as it is revealing. -- Mark Fox * Reaction *This meticulously researched, well-written, and beautifully designed book tells the fascinating and largely untold story of the earliest days of globalization, of innovation and entrepreneurial risk-taking, and of the creation of some of the earliest venture-financed companies in the world. -- Glenn Leibowitz * Write with Impact *Butman and Targett are fluent storytellers with an eye for detail * Publishers' Weekly *Immensely detailed * Investments & Pensions Europe *Part business history, part swashbuckling adventurer's tale... A fascinating read -- Larrie D. Ferreiro, author of Brothers At Arms

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Book SynopsisA truly comprehensive account of sea and land voyages, covering a thousand years of exploration from the ninth century to the epic voyages of Captain Cook. Kerr includes accounts of travels not easily available elsewhere and translations into English for the first time. This first set brings together travels undertaken by ambassadors, missionaries, adventurers as well as naval and military commanders to Europe, Asia and the Middle East and includes the journey of Ambassador Contarini to Persia, the voyage of Verthema to Egypt, English pilgramages to the Holy Land, Carpini's expedition to the great Khan of the Moghuls, and the mission of the Persian Ambassador to China. With an introduction by a leading scholar this handsome 5 volume set presents Kerr's outstanding achievement in a unique and informative way.Table of ContentsCONTENTS Selected Contents Discoveries in the time of Alfred, King of England, in the ninth century: Travels of two Mahometans into India and China in the ninth century; Travels of an Englishman into Tartary, and thence into Poland, Hungary and Germany in 1243 Travels of Marco Polo through Tartary Travels of Sir John Mandeville into the East Travels of the Ambassadors of Mirza Shah Rokh, King of Persia, from Herat to Khanbalek in Kathay in 1419 Travels of Josphat Barbaro, Ambassador from Venice to Tanna Account of various early pilgrimages from England to the Holy Land Account of the discovery and conquest of the Canary Islands The Journey of Ambrose Contarini, Ambassador from the republic of Venice, to Uzun-Hassan, King of Persia Voyages of discovery by the Portuguese along the western coast of Africa under the direction of Don Henry History of the discovery and conquest of India by the Portuguese Voyages and Travels in Egypt, Syria, Arabia, Persia and India by Ludovico Verthema in 150s Early English Voyages to Guinea and others parts of the coast of Africa Embassy of Mr Edmund Hogan to Morocco Voyage of Sir Francis Drake in 1585 to the West Indies Brief account of the expedition of the Spanish Armada Valiant sea fight by ten merchant ships from London against twelve Spanish galleys in the Straits of Gibraltar The taking of two Spanish ships, laden with quicksilver and the Popes bulls, by Captain Thomas White Sea fight near the Azores, written by Sir Walter Raleigh Early voyages of the English to India after the establishment of the East India Company

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Book SynopsisKerr's Voyages 4 covers the Southern Hemisphere. It provides a rich collection of voyages by Captain James Cook, together with voyages of discovery in the Southern Oceans by other key figures such as Commodore Byron, and captains Wallis, Carteret, Clerke and Gore.

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Book SynopsisSon of a scientifically-minded Scottish aristocrat, Basil Hall joined the Royal Navy at the age of 13 in 1802. His first naval engagements in America and Spain during the Peninsular War are described, as are his travels in India and the Far East. His renowned interview with Napoleon, while still a prisoner on St. Helena is featured. He was a confidante of Sir Walter Scott, Dickens and many other distinguished authors of his day. Renowned for his curiosity and energy, he became a popular writer himself based on his world-wide travels and adventures, including his involvement in the liberation of Peru and friendship with General San Martin. He embarked on an epic, 10,000-mile journey with his family in North America and twice journeyed across the sub-continent of India under the patronage of the Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, providing delightful vignettes of Indian life of the time. Subsequent travels in Europe introduce personalities such as Lord Byron and the eccentric Countess Purgstall. Although the narrative of his journey in the United States earned him great opprobrium from Americans for his conservative attitudes, his support in Edinburgh to the great American bird painter, John James Audubon, was greatly appreciated by the artist. As an amateur scientist, Hall made important contributions to nautical astronomy, geology and naval technology, being a Fellow of both the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Among his scientific friends were Sir John Herschel, Mary Somerville, and Sir Humphrey Davy, among many others. He was in the unusually privileged position of moving among the upper echelons of British society's distinguished writers, scientists and politicians thus providing a fascinating insight into the mores and manners of high society in Edinburgh and London. The inclusion of previously unpublished and often revealing correspondence has contributed to the first full biography of a very colourful individual and his times.Trade Review'The result is a good read about a truly fascinating man, skillfully brought to life by an author not afraid to show his subject's negative traits as well as his many positive ones. It is good to see Captain Basil Hall put back on the historical "map" of his age through James McCarthy's comprehensive research and engaging style.' Undiscovered Scotland: The Ultimate Online Guide 'James McCarthy has skillfully drawn upon Basil Hall's two-volume diaries, Extracts from a Journal, that recount his experiences along the coasts of Chile, Peru and Mexico between 1820 and 1822. He includes previously unpublished and often revealing correspondence, as well as adding an extensive bibliography. ...a remarkable insight into the high society of both Edinburgh and London in the early 19th century. Above all, however, this book is a fascinating account of an extraordinary life, which hopefully may persuade readers interested in exploration, travel and historical biography to rediscover the writings of Basil Hall.' History Scotland 'This is the first complete biography of a fascinating man and his adventures at sea. At just 13, he joined the Royal Navy in 1802 and was involved in naval engagements during the Peninsular War. ... The author includes previously unpublished and often revealing correspondence which really brings the story of this remarkable man to life. A great read.' Sea Breezes 'Captain Basil Hall RN was indeed a most curious fellow. Son of a scottish aristocrat from whom he inherited a considerable interest in science, he joined the Royal Navy at the age of 13 years in 1802 (3 years before Trafalgar). His first naval engagements in America and Spain are well described, as is his career in the RN. It is, however, for his travels and achievements that this man really should be more widely known. ... If ever a man became known for his own curiosity, it was Basil Hall who was able to share his own adventures and travels by becoming a very popular author in his own right. In this work, author James McCarthy provides a readable, fascinating and probing insight into one of Scotland's most overlooked indivduals.' Ned Middleton 'The story James McCarthy tells so well is of a lost worldwhere the curious, privileged amateur was not yet overshadowed by professionalization. - McCarthy makes a rollicking good story of it. Hall's many travel and scientific publications reveal a man who combined professional interests and credibility with remarkably sensitive eye. - this well-written and highly entertaining book can be enjoyed by anyone interested in Victorian naval or scientific history.' International Journal of Maritime History '...its good to see a biography of such a strange and unusual character.' Bookgeeks 'With such a hero and such adventures, this should be a fascinating book. And indeed it is. ...a vivid picture of the daily life and times of seafarers and their families at a time of tremendous development in our maritime history.' Little Ship Club 'Confidant of Sir Walter Scott and Charles Dickens, this largely forgotten naval hero and explorer provides a fascinating insight into a long ago world of adventures.' Scottish Memories 'This is a well-researched and written account of the life and times of a noted naval adventurer and dabbler in the sciences and arts. ...James McCarthy has skilfully woven together the story of this remarkable man - a story which serves to demonstrate the dynamic role of Scots in the rapidly expanding British Empire of the post-Napoleonic era. McCarthy deftly reconstructs the Edinburgh society in which Hall moved with such ease and purpose. Indeed, Sir Walter Scott was prompted to describe Hall as 'that curious fellow who takes charge of everyone's business without neglecting his own'. Well illustrated and attractively presented, this book readily earns its place on the shelves of the library of the modern-day student of Scottish travellers and explorers'. Review of Scottish Culture

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Book Synopsis'...In this year celebrating the centenary of the conquering of the South Pole - it is more than fitting to have one of the unregarded figures of Antarctic history brought into the limelight of remembrance'. Extract from Introduction by Dr. Ross D.E. MacPhee, American Museum of Natural History As senior surgeon on board Discovery, Dr. Reginald Koettlitz played a vital role in the heroic period of polar exploration when Nansen, Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott dominated the headlines. He was awarded a medal by the Royal Geographical Society for his role in the Discovery Expedition, 1901-04. During the earlier successful three-year Jackson-Harmsworth Expedition to Franz Josef Land, Koettlitz fine-tuned his measures to prevent scurvy, became an experienced ski runner, dog and pony handler and expert in polar survival. These skills were available when Koettlitz was appointed senior surgeon on the Discovery Expedition led by Scott, but due to personal reasons and the inability to acknowledge Koettlitz's polar experience, both Scott's expeditions were beset by major life-threatening issues that Koettlitz had faced and resolved on Franz Josef Land. On the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition Scott and his four companions died on their failed attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole. In addition, Koettlitz travelled across north-east Africa from Berbera to Cairo on foot, mule and camel, crossing the Blue Nile to Khartoum shortly after the Battle of Omdurman. Before leaving for South Africa he assisted Shackleton in planning the Nimrod Expedition which almost resulted in the South Pole being reached. This well-researched account is enriched with previously unseen archive material such as correspondence with Nansen and photographs relating to polar history during the period 1890-1916.Trade Review' - this is a remarkable book, extremely well researched and wholly enlightening. - This thorough appraisal of a most gifted individual is well worth the price - ' The James Caird Society Newsletter

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Book SynopsisCaptain Woodfield made 20 seasonal voyages to the Antarctic on three research ships between 1955 and 1974. Starting as a Junior Deck Officer he worked for The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey which in 1964 became the British Antarctic Survey. He played a paramount role in the gradual change from using under-powered and poorly-equipped ships to the professionally-managed and sophisticated vessels of his last command. The arts of exploration and survival during his early years in this majestic but unforgiving continent are described as attempts were made to establish research stations, support science, and survey in totally uncharted, ice-filled waters amidst often ferocious weather. Dramatic stories are featured such as the near loss of a ship in pack ice, the stranding of another in hurricane force winds and the collapse of an ice-cliff onto the vessel The pioneers of Antarctic exploration, the area's history, the hardships and incredible achievements of those original seafarers are described.Yet polar navigation during the author's years was not without peril and the near loss in ice of his first ship, the RRS Shackleton, the demise of her Master, and his ill-judged replacement and consequent dramas are fully told.Trade Review`...a detailed and fascinating account of the challenges, risks and rewards of working around the Great White Continent, and, of course, the Falkland Islands’. Penguin News ---------------- `...a fascinating insight into an aspect of BAS's activities... It certainly belongs amongst the best examples of Antarctic literature. ...contains much to excite any marine enthusiast, but it also has a much broader appeal. There are many high points in the book, but one is certainly Woodfield's description of his last encounter with Antarctica, bringing the Bransfield safely across the Drake Passage through a whole series of savage storms which kept him on the bridge for more than three days, and could easily have destroyed the ship. This is one of the finest passages of maritime writing I have encountered, worthy of Herman Melville or Joseph Conrad at their very best'. BAS Club Newsletter --------------------- '...this is a fascinating description of the "other side" of the Antarctic research and logistical support that we encountered... It is remarkably detailed...with plenty of tales to keep you turning the pages'. Cool Antarctica -------------------- '...a dramatic story of true endeavour and exploration in the footsteps of the early pioneers. ...Woodfield plays a great part in bringing the red ships and their crews to prominence'. International Harbour Masters' Association -------------------- '...a well written book with innumerable references to the places, people, ships and events of the Antarctic continent and its adjacent waters'. Paul Ridgway, Ports and Ships -------------------- '...provides an insight into an exclusive world which few have experienced. ...the illustrations provide a dramatic impression of the challenging, inhospitable and exciting ice scape of Antarctica... ...makes fascinating reading. ...a unique insight... ...I have no problem in fully recommending the book to all who have interests in ships, the Southern Oceans and polar expeditions.' South West Soundings -------------------- 'One of the most interesting books by a seafarer seen in recent years...' IFSMA Newsletter -------------------- 'Well-written and beautifully illustrated...will undoubtedly be hooked from the first page with its atmospheric account of arrival in Stanley Harbour. ...this book should be required reading for any seaman or surveyor heading for the Southern Ocean. This is indeed an adventure story, full of exciting incident and colourful characters. ...this important book'. Soundings -------------------- 'This book is more than a good read, it is an education'. Warships -------------------- '...written in an engaging style but with considerable detail. ...richly illustrated... ...is well-written and illustrated. It has an engaging mixture of the nautical and the personal...with added doses of history, science and politics. South Georgia Association Newsletter -------------------- 'The events the explorers experienced were riveting... I strongly recommend the book, it has given us a new understanding of an amazing territory'. John H H Bradbury, C.B.E. -------------------- '...Capt Woodfield beautifully describes the voyages he undertook... Across 13 detailed and immersive chapters he captures and entwines the progress of his career...with the untouched landscapes that opened up before him. Capt Woodfield's unparalleled experiences give his first-person account of his travels south an engaging angle on what is a fine example of nautical storytelling'. Nautilus Telegraph -------------------- '...this wonderful book which tells a tale of human endeavour which is rarely seen today. ... The book tells dramatic tales, such as the near loss of a ship in pack ice, the stranding of another in hurricane force winds and the collapse of an ice-cliff onto the vessel'. Burnley Express

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Book SynopsisJeannette Mirsky has here drawn from Sir Aurel Stein's books and articles as well as from his letters and unpublished archival materials to produce a definitive biography of this archaeological explorer, geographer, historical topographer, and linguist.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Scholars of US foreign policy have longed for a biography of Joel Poinsett, the diplomat, secret agent, and legislator who actively shaped US–Latin American relations for three crucial decades in the early nineteenth century. Lindsay Schakenbach Regele’s marvelous new study more than meets the task, not only revealing the extensive scope of his influence at home and abroad but also making an important argument about the evolution of early American political economy.” -- Amy S. Greenberg, The Pennsylvania State University"A revealing if at times critical biographical study that highlights the role of economic interests in early 19th-century foreign relations." * The Wall Street Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 Founding a Man, 1779–1810 Chapter 2 International and Domestic Politics, 1811–1819 Chapter 3 Domestic and International Politics, 1820–1825 Chapter 4 Interest in Mexico, 1825–1830 Chapter 5 Southern “Honor,” 1830–1836 Chapter 6 War, 1837–1841 Chapter 7 Final Battles, 1841–1851 Epilogue Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Notes Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Scholars of US foreign policy have longed for a biography of Joel Poinsett, the diplomat, secret agent, and legislator who actively shaped US–Latin American relations for three crucial decades in the early nineteenth century. Lindsay Schakenbach Regele’s marvelous new study more than meets the task, not only revealing the extensive scope of his influence at home and abroad but also making an important argument about the evolution of early American political economy.” -- Amy S. Greenberg, The Pennsylvania State University"A revealing if at times critical biographical study that highlights the role of economic interests in early 19th-century foreign relations." * The Wall Street Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1 Founding a Man, 1779–1810 Chapter 2 International and Domestic Politics, 1811–1819 Chapter 3 Domestic and International Politics, 1820–1825 Chapter 4 Interest in Mexico, 1825–1830 Chapter 5 Southern “Honor,” 1830–1836 Chapter 6 War, 1837–1841 Chapter 7 Final Battles, 1841–1851 Epilogue Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations Notes Index

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"An excellent biography. . . . This book is a great read." --The Daily Chronicle"A well-balanced and authentic view of David--where he came from, who he was, what the influences on his worldview were, and especially his sense of urgency about the unfolding situation at Mount St. Helens in spring 1980. Volcanoes are complex features; Melanie Holmes explains scientific ideas in a clear, straightforward manner that make them more accessible to a broad, non-specialist audience."--Tom Casadevall, former acting director for the U.S. Geological Survey "The intertwined personal life of David Johnston with Mount St. Helens geology and the challenges of dangerous research have, in this story, produced an incredibly engaging saga. A beautiful tribute to a scientist and to science."--Robbie Rice Gries, author of Anomalies: Pioneering Women in Petroleum Geology: 1917–2017 and president of the Geological Society of America"Read this book--you will receive an excellent and understandable description of a volcanic eruption and a moving chronicle of the making of a geologist from a boy to a man."--Vicki S. McConnell, former State Geologist of Oregon"Anyone who aspires to be a scientist or is curious about the wonder and fury of volcanoes will be inspired and mesmerized by Dave's story of courage and selflessness in the pursuit of knowledge to protect all of us from harm."--Christine McEntee, CEO/Executive Director of the American Geophysical Union"This wonderful book has several subjects; volcanology, natural disasters and human behavior, heroism, and the life of one particular man. This is an engrossing read that is absorbingly suspenseful, despite the fact that readers know the outcome. David Johnston, the hero of the story, is a multi-dimensional, complex character. Holmes shows an understanding of human psychology and has a gift for evoking personality with a few verbal gestures. We come to know David Johnston and the part he plays in the human drama surrounding Mount St. Helens. Unforgettable."--Mary V. Dearborn, author of Ernest Hemingway: A Biography"Highly recommended." --Choice"Filled with tender mercies that show the heart and humanism of those whose passion sends them into peril in the name of science." --Daily Southtown "Overall, A Hero on Mount St. Helens is an opportunity for the public to understand through David Johnston’s life what a geologist truly does and the passion they hold for not only the field itself, but the communities affected by such geological processes" --NAGT's In the Trenches "In this compelling book about volcanologist David Johnston, Melanie Holmes takes the reader from the cold war and Vietnam days of Midwest America to the short fuse lit in 1980 under Mount St. Helens. Dave’s story is well worth telling, and Holmes does so with skill, honesty, and concern for accuracy."--Barry Voight, Penn State University "David Johnston was a young man who explored; he wanted to know more. He died in the service of that knowledge--nothing less than a hero in this regard. There have been a number of memorials, all fine and well-deserved. None is better than this book. It finds a fascinating story. It tells the story well. And nothing more could a reader wish."--Zay N. Smith, former Chicago Sun-Times columnist, award-winning journalist, and coauthor of The Mirage

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"This slim book, graced with beautiful facsimile reproductions of gorgeous paleontological folio art, is a treasure trove of vertebrate paleontological history, sacred and arcane." * The Quarterly Review of Biology * Patrons of Paleontology is a good introduction to the ambitious individuals and institutions that pursued their own, national, and institutional interests over centuries in a variety of contexts. * Journal of American History *Who pays for palaeontological research and why? Patrons of Paleontology will be a useful reference guide for anyone interested in the early history of the subject and some of the social and historical context in which it occurred. -- Paul Barrett * Priscum, The Newsletter of the Palentological Society *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Cost of Doing Business1. The Beginnings of Government Support for Paleontology2. Eighteenth-century and Early Nineteenth-century Paleontologists and Patrons3. Developments in Government Support for Paleontology in the United States Between 1830 to About 18804. Paleontology in Mid Nineteenth-Century Surveys Outside the United States5. Government Support for Paleontology in the Late Nineteenth Century and the Turn of the Twentieth Century: 1880 to about 1940Conclusion: The Chain of PaleontologyAppendix: Glossary of Prominent Patrons and PaleontologistsAnnotated Bibliography of Primary SourcesBibliography of Secondary SourcesIndex

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Book SynopsisA remarkable true story of adventure, betrayal and survival set in one of the world’s most inhospitable places.Trade Review"Unravels the strange story of one of the world's greatest discoveries that never was." -- National Geographic"Polar historians will be grateful to have the Crocker Land expedition properly documented." -- The New York Times Book Review

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Book SynopsisA fascinating account of the early days of Antarctic exploration from an expert storyteller.

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Book SynopsisNail-biting true adventure.--Kirkus ReviewsTrade Review"Henderson gives an exciting account of the pair's adventures on various explorations in which high dangers, privation, starvation, scurvy and icy death all play a part." Roy Herbert, New Scientist"

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