Geographical discovery and exploration Books

Book SynopsisAs command module pilot of Apollo 17, the last crewed flight to the moon, Ron Evans combined precision flying and painstaking geological observation with moments of delight and enthusiasm. On his way to the launchpad, he literally jumped for joy in his spacesuit. Emerging from the command module to conduct his crucial spacewalk, he exclaimed, Hot diggity dog! and waved a greeting to his family. As a patriotic American in charge of command module America, Evans was nicknamed Captain America by his fellow crew members. Born in 1933 in St. Francis, Kansas, Evans distinguished himself academically and athletically in school, earned degrees in electrical engineering and aeronautical engineering, and became a naval aviator and a combat flight instructor. He was one of the few astronauts who served in combat during the Vietnam War, flying more than a hundred missions off the deck of the USS Ticonderoga, the same aircraft carrier that would recover him and his fellow astronauts after the splashdown of Apollo 17. Evans's astronaut career spans the Apollo missions and beyond. He served on the support crews for 1, 7, and 11 and on the Apollo 14 backup crew before being selected for Apollo 17 and flying on the final moon missionin 1972. He next trained with Soviet cosmonauts as backup command module pilot for the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz mission and carried out early work on the space shuttle program. Evans then left NASA to pursue a business career. He died suddenly in 1990 at the age of fifty-six. Trade Review"At long last, those unfamiliar with Evans' life and career get to know the last person to perform a deep space EVA."—Emily Carney, National Space Society"This well-written, fascinating book provides a biography of Evans with a special focus on his role during Apollo 17."—J. Z. Kiss, Choice"Bowman's storytelling and lively, conversational prose make A Long Voyage to the Moon a commendable biography of Jan Evans's husband, who flew for the navy and conducted science beyond low earth orbit, for general audiences and anyone interested in astronauts who have not landed in the history books with one small step. . . . The story of Ron Evans points to the additional science that could be done on the moon and urges us to remember the partners and support systems who make the extraordinary possible and worth doing."—Kevin Castro, H-Sci-Med-Tech"This work will appeal to those who simply cannot read enough about the history of crewed space flight. We should all be thankful that Bowman has written this book and shined a light on this historic aviator and space traveller."—Dr. Brian Laslie, From Balloons to Drones“From a small town in Kansas to dodging enemy rockets in a jet fighter over North Vietnam to orbiting the moon on Apollo’s final lunar voyage, here is the extraordinary journey of Ron Evans. In this thoroughly detailed biography, Geoffrey Bowman captures a man of unflappable calm and easygoing warmth who met the final frontier with unabashed exuberance. In these pages, you’ll learn why Evans left countless people, myself included, feeling honored and glad to have known him.”—Andrew Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts“Ron Evans is one of the unsung heroes of the Apollo program. . . . I am delighted that this book now tells the story of Ron’s remarkable life.”—Farouk El-Baz, geologist and trainer of Apollo astronauts in observation and photography“Ron Evans and I were selected as NASA astronauts in 1966. I enjoyed my time with Ron during our ‘rookie’ years through a variety of training before I was selected for Apollo 13 and Ron for Apollo 17. This very interesting and informative account of Ron’s life and career emphasizes how we shared with many others the immense privilege of having been a part of the Apollo program.”—Fred Haise, lunar module pilot on Apollo 13Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Prologue 1. Kansas Kid 2. Jayhawk 3. The Pilot and Miss Pollom 4. Wings 5. Fighting Falcon 6. Top Guns of Oriskany 7. Teachers and Pupils 8. Deke and Al 9. Screaming Eagle 10. Rolling Thunder 11. Per Ardua ad Astra 12. El Lago 13. Modules 14. “Go Fever” 15. Two Lives 16. Footprints in the Dust 17. Backups 18. The Rocky Road to Taurus-Littrow 19. Many a Slip 20. Captain America Sets Sail 21. Into the Shadow 22. The Big Picture 23. Spaceman 24. Return to Ticonderoga 25. End of an Era 26. Apollo-Soyuz and Beyond 27. The Most Alien World 28. Ad Astra Sources Index

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Book SynopsisChristopher A. Roosa grew up the eldest son of Apollo 14 astronaut and command module pilot Stuart A. Roosa. As a child of the space program, Christopher had a ringside seat at the dinner table of one of twenty-four Americans who had either entered lunar orbit or landed on the moon. The first book written by an offspring of an Apollo astronaut to focus on growing up in that era, Son of Apollo tells the inside story of the life of his father, a man who had a remarkable career despite always believing his air force career was off-track, from his initial application to the service to his removal from the prime crew of Apollo 13 and his subsequent assignment to Apollo 14. During the Apollo 13 mission and recovery, Stuart played an integral role in developing the procedures to return the crew to Earth safely. The focus-and the pressure-of the entire Apollo program then shifted to the Apollo 14 mission. If the Apollo program was to continue, Stuart and the Apollo 14 crew would need to get safely to the moon, land, and return. In writing about his father's career, Christopher Roosa also shows us a familial side of the Apollo experience, from the daily struggles of growing up in the shadow of a father who was necessarily away in training most of the year to the expectations involved in being an astronaut's son. Roosa's story shows the Apollo era was the result not only of thousands of scientists and engineers working steadfastly toward achieving an assassinated president's national goal but also the families who supported them and lived the missions in their own way. For more information about the book visit roosa.comTrade Review"Readers will appreciate Christopher Roosa’s memories and walk away from the book with admiration both for him and his father."—Tyler Peterson, H-Sci-Med-Tech"Oklahoman Stuart Roosa would be proud that his son took time to let the world know what it was like in those exciting years to be the son of Apollo."—Bill Moore, Chronicles of Oklahoma“U.S. Marine Corps Reserve colonel Christopher Roosa provides a unique view of the Apollo program from the perspective of an astronaut’s child. This book belongs on the shelf of everyone who revered the space program, as well as the values we seek to emulate from it within our families.”—Stephen M. Ryan, general counsel to Sen. John Glenn, who flew on Friendship 7 and space shuttle Discovery (STS-95)“Australia has played a role in NASA’s programs since Apollo 14, with Phil Chapman on the support team. But space has always been about not only the astronauts but their families. Now a pilot’s son reflects on those heady days from the perspective of the children and the families. A great read.”—Paul Scully-Power, Australia’s first astronaut, who flew on space shuttle Challenger (STS-41-G)“Having had my own children witness what it was like in those days of the Apollo program, it’s great that Christopher Roosa has written a story from the viewpoint of those who had a seat at the table. He shares family stories that only someone growing up during the Apollo program would know. An interesting read for space enthusiasts and those with gun and outdoor interests.”—Maj. Gen. Bill Anders, U.S. Air Force Reserve, lunar module pilot on Apollo 8“Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa was an accomplished test pilot and smoke jumper whose career took him to the moon, where he spent a day and a half completely alone in lunar orbit. He observed and photographed the moon with a detail no human had ever before captured. His early death in the last century robbed us of many firsthand insights. Yet only a family member can tell us what it was truly like to be around a lunar explorer—not only during their NASA glory years but also when faced with the question every moon voyager faced when returning to Earth: what do they do next?”—Francis French, space historian and editor of Apollo Pilot: The Memoir of Astronaut Donn EiseleTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Foreword Preface Prologue 1. The Launch of Apollo 14 2. The Roosa Family 3. Growing Up in Claremore 4. Life after Claremore 5. Flight Training 6. The Barrett Family 7. Meeting My Mother 8. Early Family Life 9. Houston, Texas 10. Getting on a Flight 11. Apollo Casualties 12. Pastimes 13. Apollo 11 14. Apollo 13 15. Apollo 14 16. Moon Trees 17. The Country Western Tapes 18. Postflight 19. Tales from the Road 20. Apollo Launches 21. Astronaut Downtime 22. Growing Up after Apollo 14 23. The Apollo Groupie Scene 24. Apollo 17 25. Reflections of an Apollo Command Module Pilot 26. The Last Flight of Apollo 27. Leaving NASA 28. My Father’s Passing Epilogue

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Book SynopsisWhat's it like to travel at more than 850 MPH, riding in a supersonic T-38 twin turbojet engine airplane? What happens when the space station toilet breaks? How do astronauts take out the trash on a spacewalk, tightly encapsulated in a space suit with just a few layers of fabric and Kevlar between them and the unforgiving vacuum of outer space?The Ordinary Spaceman puts you in the flight suit of U.S. astronaut Clayton C. Anderson and takes you on the journey of this small-town boy from Nebraska who spent 167 days living and working on the International Space Station, including nearly forty hours of space walks. Having applied to NASA fifteen times over fifteen years to become an astronaut before his ultimate selection, Anderson offers a unique perspective on his life as a veteran space flier, one characterized by humility and perseverance. From the application process to launch aboard the space shuttle Atlantis, from serving as a family escort for the ill-fated Columbia crew in 2003 toTrade Review“This is The Right Stuff for a new generation. Clayton Anderson is an astronaut for the rest of us; a regular guy from a small Midwestern town who set the bar high for himself and never lost sight of a lofty goal—even when most of us would have given up. As it turns out, it is not so much about having ‘the right stuff’ as it is about never doubting yourself and never settling for less.”—Miles O’Brien, award-winning science journalist for PBS, the National Science Foundation, and CNN "Clayton Anderson is no ordinary astronaut, and this is no ordinary book. It is an uncompromisingly honest rendering of a challenging and fulfilling life by someone with a singular dream and the moxie to pursue it to success."—Roger Lemkpe, Lincoln Journal Star"He may have been an ordinary spaceman, but The Ordinary Spaceman demonstrates he is certainly not ordinary."—Jeff Foust, Space Review"Anderson's down to Earth account of the astronaut's life may help more of us to connect with the profession's forward looking significance—a welcome addition to the outreach successes of Hollywood's Box Office and NASA's social media salvos."—Mark Carreau, Aviation Week Network"Anderson provides a focused picture of how a fiercely dedicated individual became a spaceman."—Publishers Weekly“Learn about the excitement, the awe, the thrills, the suspense, and the experiences unique to the astronauts in the shuttle program. Clay blends his personal stories with his professional challenges. I am especially impressed with his persistence in applying for the astronaut program: Clay’s experience will be motivation for anyone to never give up!”—Eileen Collins, retired NASA astronaut and USAF colonel and the first female pilot and commander of a space shuttle“Clay has truly had an exciting life full of adventure and challenges. He tackles each moment in life with ambition and optimism. His life stories can inspire each of us to reach further, dig deeper, and fly higher. From his days growing up in Nebraska and his family life to his time on the International Space Station, Clay proves that life is what you make of it.”—Curt Tomasevicz, Olympic gold medalist and fellow Nebraskan“Clayton Anderson’s new book will serve as a textbook on character, patriotism, and inspiration. Finally, a book especially for young people that defines what it means to become a true American idol. Clayton’s life brings definition to the words ‘gentleman,’ ‘teacher,’ and ‘coach,’ as well as ‘brave,’ ‘honest,’ and ‘hard working.’ This book will not only be a good read, it will become a must read! The book adds value to the American Space Program and provides credibility to the phrase ‘the sky is the limit’ when you combine persistence with effort.”—Allen J. Beermann, executive director of the Nebraska Press Association and former secretary of state “There’s nothing ordinary about Clayton Anderson. He’s spent his life (on and off this planet) defying gravity and the odds. From the cornfields of Nebraska to the edges of our planet’s pull, Anderson has achieved whatever he’s dreamed. In his memoir, The Ordinary Spaceman, Anderson weaves an incredible life story of heart and heroism and gives the reader a seat in the copilot’s chair.”—Tom Abrahams, best-selling author of the Allegiance series and award-winning television journalist “Clay’s great example shows that a small-town kid can achieve big dreams. I can’t think of anything bigger than being an astronaut. This book leaves nothing out of Clay’s journey to becoming one of the lucky and blessed few who get to experience God’s handiwork from the darkness of space. It’s funny, entertaining, and well worth the read.”—Dan Whitney (Larry the Cable Guy), stand-up comedian and actorTable of ContentsForeword by Nevada Barr Acknowledgments Introduction 1. First Flight 2. Beginnings 3. Freshman Fifteen 4. Hey, There’s an App for That! 5. Answer the Phone, Will Ya? 6. Baby Astronauts 7. Hail Columbia! 8. Age of Aquarius 9. From Russia with Love 10. Survival of the Fittest 11. Sign of the Times 12. Sixty-Two and Counting 13. Dark Days of Summer 14. Crime and Punishment 15. The “Void” of Outer Space 16. The Doctor Is In 17. The Hard Thump of Reality 18. The Serendipity of Chance 19. Walking Tall 20. Fame and Fortune 21. Find Us Faithful 22. Impacts 23. The End Becomes the Beginning

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Book SynopsisIn 1869, Hayyim Habshush, a Yemeni Jew, accompanied the European orientalist Joseph Halévy on his archaeological tour of Yemen. Twenty years later, Habshush wrote A Vision of Yemen, a memoir of their travels, that provides a vivid account of daily life, religion, and politics. More than a simple travelogue, it is a work of trickster-tales, thick anthropological descriptions, and reflections on Jewish–Muslim relations. At its heart lies the fractious and intimate relationship between the Yemeni coppersmith and the "enlightened" European scholar and the collision between the cultures each represents. The book thus offers a powerful indigenous response to European Orientalism. This edition is the first English translation of Habshush's writings from the original Judeo-Arabic and Hebrew and includes an accessible historical introduction to the work. The translation maintains Habshush's gripping style and rich portrayal of the diverse communities and cultures of Yemen, offering a potent mixture of artful storytelling and cultural criticism, suffused with humor and empathy. Habshush writes about the daily lives of men and women, rich and poor, Jewish and Muslim, during a turbulent period of war and both Ottoman and European imperialist encroachment. With this translation, Alan Verskin recovers the lost voice of a man passionately committed to his land and people.Trade Review"Alan Verskin has provided a masterful translation of Hayyim Habshush's gripping account of his travels and a rare and intimate glimpse into Jewish and Muslim life in the Arabian hinterlands. A Vision of Yemen should be of great interest not only to students and scholars of Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern history, but also to the wider audience of travel literature."—Norman A. Stillman, University of Oklahoma"A Vision in Yemen reveals Hayyim Habshush's remarkable curiosity about his own society in nineteenth-century Yemen and its ancient history. With his masterful translation, Alan Verskin elucidates time and place for modern readers, bringing Habshush and his European interlocutors to life."—Brinkley Messick, Columbia University"Alan Verskin's book goes a long way in countering the various orientalist tropes that have often characterised our understanding of Yemeni Jews by rendering accessible the travelogue A Vision of Yemen....It enhances our understanding of encounters between East and West, and more importantly is a testament to Muslim-Jewish relations in the Middle East just as cacophonous sectarian voices dominate the region's public discourse."—Thanos Petouris, Asian Affairs

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Book SynopsisTawfiq Zayyad (1929–94) was a renowned Palestinian poet and a committed communist activist. For four decades, he was a dominant figure in political life in Israel, as a local council member, mayor of Nazareth, and member of the Israeli parliament. Zayyad personified the collective struggle of the Palestinian citizens of Israel, challenging the military government following the creation of the state of Israel, leading the 1976 nationwide strike against land confiscation, and tirelessly protesting Israeli military occupation after 1967. With this book, Tamir Sorek offers the first biography of this charismatic figure. Zayyad's life was one of balance and contradiction—between his revolutionary writings as Palestinian patriotic poet and his pragmatic political work in the Israeli public sphere. He was uncompromising in his protest of injustices against the Palestinian people, but always committed to a universalist vision of Arab-Jewish brotherhood. It was this combination of traits that made Zayyad an exceptional leader—and makes his biography larger than the man himself to offer a compelling story about Palestinians and the state of Israel.Trade Review"With nuance, precision, and admiration, Tamir Sorek tells the story of Tawfiq Zayyad's complicated and heroic life, and with it, the story of an ongoing catastrophe and the Palestinian people's unceasing battle for survival and dignity. The Optimist pays homage to resistance, radical politics, and the struggle for social mobility, all of which typified Zayyad's long career. A bold and important achievement."—Orit Bashkin, University of Chicago, author of Impossible Exodus: Iraqi Jews in Israel"Tamir Sorek provides a richly detailed excursion into the life and work of an eminent 'organic intellectual,' who found in language a means for recovery after Israel's colonial erasure of Palestine. The Optimist is valuable to anyone interested in encountering fusions between Marxism and Messianism, Jewishness and Arabness, Christianity and Islam, childhood and adulthood, the prosaic and the poetic, the political and the personal."—Khaled Furani, Tel Aviv University, author of Silencing the Sea: Secular Rhythms in Palestinian Poetry"The Optimist is a deftly written biography that will fascinate readers already familiar with the broad contours of Tawfiq Zayyad's life as well as those encountering him for the first time. Tamir Sorek provides fresh insight into how someone can maintain hope in a region too often characterized as hopeless."—Maha Nassar, author of Brothers Apart: Palestinian Citizens of Israel and the Arab World"[Tamir Sorek] presents an unprecedented, in-depth exploration of the life and work of Tawfiq Zayyad....The Optimist is a must read."—Naim Mousa, Mondoweiss"This sympathetic and informative biography is a welcome celebration of [Tawfiq Zayyad's] memory as well as a valuable contribution to our understanding of Palestinian history."—John Green, Morning Star Online"Tamir Sorek has written a superb biography of Tawfiq Zayyad... The imperative for Zayyad, as Sorek shows, was (and, presumably, would be) to organize and mobilize against conditions and policies of oppression by taking advantage of every non-violent opportunity for struggle."—Ian S. Lustick, International Journal of Middle East Studies"The Optimist is more than an excellent biography of Zayyad. It offers a comprehensive account of the ICP, from its early formations to its conceptions, contested ideology, and hierarchal structure. The book is also highly recommended for its insightful political history of Palestinian citizens of Israel under the enduring communist leadership throughout the second half of the twentieth century."—Nadeem Karkabi, Journal of Palestine Studies"In chapter after chapter, Sorek reveals deep strata of Zayyad's personality as a political leader and his motivations in persisting in fighting for Palestinian rights."—Sheren Falah Saab, HaaretzTable of ContentsPrologue 1. Communism and Anticolonialism 2. Steadfastness 3. Badges of Modernity 4. In the Crossfire 5. Municipal Struggles 6. National Leadership 7. Children in the Battlefield 8. A Secular Holy Warrior 9. A Spoke in the Wheel of History 10. Oslo: The Sky Is the Limit

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Book SynopsisIn 1524, a man named David Reubeni appeared in Venice, claiming to be the ambassador of a powerful Jewish kingdom deep in the heart of Arabia. In this era of fierce rivalry between great powers, voyages of fantastic discovery, and brutal conquest of new lands, people throughout the Mediterranean saw the signs of an impending apocalypse and envisioned a coming war that would end with a decisive Christian or Islamic victory. With his army of hardy desert warriors from lost Israelite tribes, Reubeni pledged to deliver the Jews to the Holy Land by force and restore their pride and autonomy. He would spend a decade shuttling between European rulers in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and France, seeking weaponry in exchange for the support of his hitherto unknown but mighty Jewish kingdom. Many, however, believed him to favor the relatively tolerant Ottomans over the persecutorial Christian regimes. Reubeni was hailed as a messiah by many wealthy Jews and Iberia's oppressed conversos, but his grand ambitions were halted in Regensburg when the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, turned him over to the Inquisition and, in 1538, he was likely burned at the stake. Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah is the first English translation of Reubeni's Hebrew-language diary, detailing his travels and personal travails. Written in a Hebrew drawn from everyday speech, entirely unlike other literary works of the period, Reubeni's diary reveals both the dramatic desperation of Renaissance Jewish communities and the struggles of the diplomat, trickster, and dreamer who wanted to save them.Trade Review"Alan Verskin has once again proven himself to be a master translator with this English rendering of the Hebrew diary of the semi-messianic figure, David Reubeni. Verskin is no less a master storyteller who vividly recreates the historical setting of Reubeni's activity in his detailed introduction, which is eminently scholarly yet fully accessible."—Norman A. Stillman, Executive Editor of Encyclopedia of Jews in the Islamic World"A fantastical tale of adventure, political intrigue, and apocalyptic expectation, David Reubeni's diary is surely one of the most fascinating pieces of Jewish writing from the age of exploration. Alan Verskin's elegant and eminently readable translation reveals the exploits of this self-declared messenger of a mythical Jewish kingdom as he pursues his unlikely quest to restore Jews to their ancient homeland."—Matthias B. Lehmann, author of The Baron"There were several ways in which Verskin could have approached this project. The material is so rich that he could have produced an updated English version of Aaron Ze'ev Aescoly's thick, heavily annotated and augmented 1940 Hebrew edition of the diary. But this would have been the work of several decades. On the other hand, he could have given us a bare translation with minimal apparatus. This small, elegant volume, which features Verskin's rich thirty-page introduction and deft, helpful endnotes, seems just right."—Matt Goldish, Jewish Review of Books"Almost everything known about Reubeni derives from his Hebrew diary, which Verskin here translates and presents along with an introduction to Reubeni's life and detailed notes that make the diary accessible. Even as scholars continue to debate Reubeni's origins and biography, this engaging book does a wonderful service by introducing Reubeni through his own telling of his quite remarkable story. Recommended."—A. J. Avery-Peck, CHOICE"Verskin's solid introduction allows the reader to fully appreciate how unique this diary is for the history of modern Jewish history.... Diary of a Jewish Messiah is recommended to all libraries."—Roger S. Kohn, Association of Jewish Libraries ReviewsTable of ContentsIntroduction 1. Africa 2. Egypt and the Holy Land 3. Italy 4. Portugal 5. Spain Appendix: Solomon Cohen's Addendum

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Book SynopsisJohn James Audubon's The Birds of America stands as an unparalleled achievement in American art, a huge book that puts nature dramatically on the page. With that work, Audubon became one of the most adulated artists of his time, and America's first celebrity scientist. In this fresh approach to Audubon's art and science, Gregory Nobles shows us that Audubon's greatest creation was himself. A self-made man incessantly striving to secure his place in American society, Audubon made himself into a skilled painter, a successful entrepreneur, and a prolific writer, whose words went well beyond birds and scientific description. He sought status with the "gentlemen of science" on both sides of the Atlantic, but he also embraced the ornithology of ordinary people. In pursuit of popular acclaim in art and science, Audubon crafted an expressive, audacious, and decidedly masculine identity as the "American Woodsman," a larger-than-life symbol of the new nation, a role he perfected in his quest for transatlantic fame. Audubon didn't just live his life; he performed it. In exploring that performance, Nobles pays special attention to Audubon's stories, some of which—the murky circumstances of his birth, a Kentucky hunting trip with Daniel Boone, an armed encounter with a runaway slave—Audubon embellished with evasions and outright lies. Nobles argues that we cannot take all of Audubon's stories literally, but we must take them seriously. By doing so, we come to terms with the central irony of Audubon's true nature: the man who took so much time and trouble to depict birds so accurately left us a bold but deceptive picture of himself.Trade ReviewGregory Nobles illuminates different sides of the indefatigable explorer’s personality, actions, and life. As Audubon joined his adopted country in some of the shameful aspects of its history, he also embodied much of its good: hope, perseverance, and democratic values—for whites, anyway. Despite Audubon’s contradictions, we can still admire him for his relentless quest to document the feathered residents of North America. * American Birding Association *Historian Gregory Nobles explicates the man in all his complexity. . . . Deftly dissecting the multifaceted life of the Frenchman who came to embody the American pioneer more than any natural-born citizen, Nobles balances fresh anecdotes with skepticism [and] delivers a captivating portrait of a self-taught, self-made man who out of passion to paint America's birds illustrated a country ripe with possibilities. * American History *Nobles’s John James Audubon, beautifully produced by the University of Pennsylvania Press . . . delivers, competently and fluently, what its subtitle promises—an investigation of Audubon’s personal brand, the ‘American Woodsman.' * American Historical Review *Nobles . . . skillfully provides a readable account of this self-proclaimed ‘American woodsman.’ The author deems Audubon ‘America’s first celebrity scientist,’ who went to great lengths to promote himself as an artist, an entrepreneur, and a ‘gentleman of science.’ * Choice *This welcome new contribution to Audubon studies moves us several steps forward. . . . Nobles’s thorough contextualization and discussion of the evidence render his argument persuasive and original in its depth and thoroughness. * Early American Literature *The ten chapters of this excellent book review the life and times of John James Audubon in a refreshingly honest manner, detailing Audubon’s development as a brilliant bird artist and scientist and, most importantly, his careful creation of an image of himself as an ‘American woodsman.’ There have ben many biographies of Audubon, but this one is unique in its in-depth discussion of Audubon’s character and his lifelong attempt to become a greater national figure and bird artist than his predecessor, Alexander Wilson…A very informative and delightful read. [Recommended] to anyone with an interest in art, nature, or American history. * Pennsylvania Heritage *More than a century and a half after his death, John James Audubon-flamboyant, intense, garrulous, insecure, and yet gifted beyond measure-remains one of the most compelling figures in American history. In this fine new biography, Gregory Nobles brings 'the American Woodsman' back to full, vivid life, capturing the artist's many facets as Audubon himself captured the essence of his beloved birds. * Scott Weidensaul, author of Of a Feather: A Brief History of American Birding *Compulsively readable and fascinating. Gregory Nobles's bottom-to-top assessment of the entire tableau of Audubon lore is terrific. * Daniel Lewis, author of The Feathery Tribe: Robert Ridgway and the Modern Study of Birds *An elegant book that adroitly weaves together a portrait of a man of genius and an account of the cultural and economic worlds in which he worked. * Ann Fabian, author of The Skull Collectors: Race, Science, and America's Unburied Dead *

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable eighty-five-day journey of the first two women to canoe the 2,000-mile route from Minneapolis to Hudson BayUnrelenting winds, carnivorous polar bears, snake nests, sweltering heat, and constant hunger. Paddling from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay, following the 2,000-mile route made famous by Eric Sevareid in his 1935 classic Canoeing with the Cree, Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho faced unexpected trials, some harrowing, some simply odd. But for the two friends—the first women to make this expedition—there was one timeless challenge: the occasional pitfalls that test character and friendship. Warren’s spellbinding account retraces the women’s journey from inspiration to Arctic waters, giving readers an insider view from the practicalities of planning a three-month canoe expedition to the successful accomplishment of the adventure of a lifetime. Along the route we meet the people who live and work on the waterways, including denizens of a resort who supply much-needed sustenance; a solitary resident in the wilderness who helps plug a leak; and the people of the Cree First Nation at Norway House, where the canoeists acquire a furry companion. Describing the tensions that erupt between the women (who at one point communicate with each other only by note) and the natural and human-made phenomena they encounter—from islands of trash to waterfalls and a wolf pack—Warren brings us into her experience, and we join these modern women (and their dog) as they recreate this historic trip, including the pleasures and perils, the sexism, the social and environmental implications, and the enduring wonder of the wilderness.Trade Review"Ann and Natalie would be heralded for showing that adventure can still be had in a changing environment, and that women have not only a place in the landscape of adventure, but an important voice that needs to be heard. [Their] journey illuminates the physical landscapes, hardships, and human encounters; it also uncovers the heart of any good journey, the human spirit."—Ann Bancroft, from the Foreword"Hudson Bay Bound is a story of friendship forged on the river as two young women paddle 2,000 miles to the Arctic. With the candor and enthusiasm of a first grand adventure, Natalie Warren shares the joys and trials of living by water, propelled northward by muscle power and the belief that anything is possible."—Caroline Van Hemert, author of The Sun is a Compass: A 4,000–Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds"Natalie Warren's Hudson Bay Bound is part adventure-memoir, part nontraditional love story. Her adoration for the water and deep respect for the history of the land it weaves through is clear throughout the journey. Complemented by the intimacy of a friendship cultivated in motion, this is a refreshing, fun, and thoughtful read."—Gale Straub, author of She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild"Natalie and Ann’s story is classic example of how the exuberance of youth and a healthy dose of grit make any dream possible. From the foggy swirl of excitement as they launched their canoe into the flooded Minnesota River to their final paddle strokes down the Hayes River, Hudson Bay Bound provides a vivid account of an awesome adventure that we couldn’t put down."—Amy and Dave Freeman, authors of A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters "A friendly, educational quest story for readers of everyone from Rachel Carson to Edward Abbey."—Kirkus Reviews "Hudson Bay Bound exudes female strength and resilience, and shares the obstacles women still face in the outdoors industry."—Rochester Post-Bulletin "An inspiration for young people everywhere to chart their own course."—The Christian Science Monitor "A delightful journey."—International Falls Daily Journal "Written in a storytelling style by Natalie, it’s about adventure, danger, fierce storms, winds, portages, running rapids, wild animals, friendship, humour and a window into the people and communities living along the urban and wilderness waterways."—Northern Wilds "In Hudson Bay Bound, Warren is spreading the gospel of outdoor adventure for teenage girls who feel like they don’t fit in."—Outside "This book is for anyone who wants to reminisce about their own past adventures, wants to understand why their own loved ones have gone or want to go on a nature expedition, and most importantly, to whet the palate of those who desire to set out on their own but are held back by other obligations."—Tower-Soudan Timberjay "You will be inspired as you paddle along with them on their adventure into the wild."—Northeaster "Sometimes that flow is filled with lightning storms, high winds, bears, and other tests of stamina, as Natalie Warren describes in Hudson Bay Bound."—Minnesota Women’s Press "The story takes readers on an engaging, fast-paced journey through both a physical space of interest and the lives of its young adventurers."—Anchorage Daily News "From planning the three-month expedition to completing the adventure of a lifetime, the author gives the reader an insider view of the perils and pleasures of wilderness tripping."—Ely Summer Times Table of ContentsForewordAnn BancroftPrologueFrom Palms to PinesThe Pack-OutFlooded UpstreamAgainst the WindMeet Me at the Popcorn StandRiver Races and Role ModelsLiving the Dream, DownstreamRapture Before the BorderAt Home on the Big LakeDon’t Wake the BeastWaiting for the WindEscape from Gull HarborA Tale of Tiny BoatsWindbound to Norway HouseYork Boats and Dog DaysInto the WildPancakes and PortagesSpring Break at Hell’s GateKnife RapidsPolar Bear ParadiseAfterwordNatalie Warren and Ann Raiho

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Book SynopsisThe first woman to ski solo to the South Pole tells the story of what it took to get there At home in Norway it is eight o’clock on Christmas Eve night, but ahead, at the Amundsen–Scott base that has been visible for hours, it is already early in the morning of Christmas Day when Liv Arnesen, after skiing solo for 745 miles in fifty days, finally arrives. She had been dreaming of the South Pole for most of her forty-one years, and now, even in her joy at having reached her goal in December 1994, she has to ask herself: what took you so long? In Skiing into the Bright Open Arnesen describes the exhausting, exhilarating experience of being the first known woman to ski unsupported to the South Pole. She also answers her own question, framing her account of her historic expedition with her longtime struggle to find the freedom and confidence to follow her dreams into uncharted territory. From her childhood in Norway to the seasons she spent working as a guide on Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, Arnesen courted the cold, and her memoir reflects the knowledge and passion for Arctic and Antarctic exploration that grew with her adventures in the wintry reaches of Norway and beyond. Tracing her path from the heroic stories of explorers like Fridtjof Nansen and Ernest Shackleton to her own crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap in 1992, Arnesen credits the inspiring feats of those who preceded her but also describes the obstacles—including niggling self-doubt—that tradition, convention, and downright prejudice put in her way as she endeavored to find the support and sponsorship granted to men in her field.A tale of solitary adventure in the bleak and beautiful bone-chilling cold of Antarctica, Skiing into the Bright Open tells a story of gritty determination, thrilling achievement, and perseverance in the face of near despair and daunting odds; it is, ultimately, an object lesson in the power of a dream if one is willing to pursue it to the ends of the earth.Trade Review"This account of a remarkable history-making solo adventure is told with understated grace by a no less remarkable woman. . . . Her towering inner strength, her courage and calm in the face of adversity, and her endless curiosity about what’s over the horizon all make for an amazing expedition."—Ann Bancroft, from the Foreword"Skiing into the Bright Open is an inspiration. In following Liv Arnesen from her childhood dreams of exploration in Norway to her historic solo expedition to the South Pole, we are drawn especially into the journey of Liv herself—bound to her dreams no matter the odds and obstacles, and as a woman in a field that too often tried to tell her no. This book will give strength to anyone fighting to follow their dreams. And the view from the ice is spectacular. I just listened to my own heart when thinking about the book."—Liv Ullmann"Skiing into the Bright Open by Liv Arnesen is a remarkable book that documents an incredible achievement. This gripping and personal narrative of Arnesen’s preparations and her solo journey on skis to the south pole is an unforgettable tale of focus and persistence. While hauling a 220-pound sledge across stastrugi and crevasses for 1200 kilometers, the author comes through as a person I would very much like to meet."—Arlene Blum, author of Annapurna: A Woman's Place and Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life"Skiing into the Bright Open is an inspiring memoir about the gritty determination that’s needed to achieve dreams and accomplish feats that once seemed impossible."—Foreword "Amid sundry accounts of other great polar achievements, overwhelmingly by men, Arnesen tells her story almost effortlessly, even chummily, sidestepping the usual tone of turmoil."—Star Tribune "There's something wonderfully perplexing about Norwegian adventurer Liv Arnesen's account of her solo ski journey to the South Pole."—The Daily Gazette "This humble telling of a remarkable accomplishment makes for a good read in a cozy spot, watching winter out the window. "—The Ely Winter Times"A tale of solitary adventure in the bleak and beautiful bone-chilling cold of Antarctica, Skiing into the Bright Open tells a story of gritty determination, thrilling achievement, and perseverance in the face of near despair and daunting odds; it is, ultimately, an object lesson in the power of a dream if one is willing to pursue it to the ends of the Earth. "—The Polar TimesTable of ContentsContentsForewordAnn BancroftPrologueFruit is Best Enjoyed when RipeSki-Touring between the Covers of a BookFinding My Own WayA First Test in GreenlandSkiing against the TideMy Provocative AnnouncementI Harden Myself in the Himalayas“Have you ever hauled a sledge, my dear?”Training with Tires and PavarottiThe EarthquakeYou Can Achieve What You WantFrom the Cold North to the Freezing SouthSteak and Red Wine in Chile—and We’re OffAlone at LastWind, Weather, and Proper ClothingI’m Enjoying Myself!Message No. 6: “Finish South Pole”And the Satellites Keep OrbitingA Quiet Toast Halfway

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Book SynopsisThe remarkable eighty-five-day journey of the first two women to canoe the 2,000-mile route from Minneapolis to Hudson BayUnrelenting winds, carnivorous polar bears, snake nests, sweltering heat, and constant hunger. Paddling from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay, following the 2,000-mile route made famous by Eric Sevareid in his 1935 classic Canoeing with the Cree, Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho faced unexpected trials, some harrowing, some simply odd. But for the two friends—the first women to make this expedition—there was one timeless challenge: the occasional pitfalls that test character and friendship. Warren’s spellbinding account retraces the women’s journey from inspiration to Arctic waters, giving readers an insider view from the practicalities of planning a three-month canoe expedition to the successful accomplishment of the adventure of a lifetime. Along the route we meet the people who live and work on the waterways, including denizens of a resort who supply much-needed sustenance; a solitary resident in the wilderness who helps plug a leak; and the people of the Cree First Nation at Norway House, where the canoeists acquire a furry companion. Describing the tensions that erupt between the women (who at one point communicate with each other only by note) and the natural and human-made phenomena they encounter—from islands of trash to waterfalls and a wolf pack—Warren brings us into her experience, and we join these modern women (and their dog) as they recreate this historic trip, including the pleasures and perils, the sexism, the social and environmental implications, and the enduring wonder of the wilderness.Trade Review"Ann and Natalie would be heralded for showing that adventure can still be had in a changing environment, and that women have not only a place in the landscape of adventure, but an important voice that needs to be heard. [Their] journey illuminates the physical landscapes, hardships, and human encounters; it also uncovers the heart of any good journey, the human spirit."—Ann Bancroft, from the Foreword"Hudson Bay Bound is a story of friendship forged on the river as two young women paddle 2,000 miles to the Arctic. With the candor and enthusiasm of a first grand adventure, Natalie Warren shares the joys and trials of living by water, propelled northward by muscle power and the belief that anything is possible."—Caroline Van Hemert, author of The Sun is a Compass: A 4,000–Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds"Natalie Warren's Hudson Bay Bound is part adventure-memoir, part nontraditional love story. Her adoration for the water and deep respect for the history of the land it weaves through is clear throughout the journey. Complemented by the intimacy of a friendship cultivated in motion, this is a refreshing, fun, and thoughtful read."—Gale Straub, author of She Explores: Stories of Life-Changing Adventures on the Road and in the Wild"Natalie and Ann’s story is classic example of how the exuberance of youth and a healthy dose of grit make any dream possible. From the foggy swirl of excitement as they launched their canoe into the flooded Minnesota River to their final paddle strokes down the Hayes River, Hudson Bay Bound provides a vivid account of an awesome adventure that we couldn’t put down."—Amy and Dave Freeman, authors of A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters "A friendly, educational quest story for readers of everyone from Rachel Carson to Edward Abbey."—Kirkus Reviews "Hudson Bay Bound exudes female strength and resilience, and shares the obstacles women still face in the outdoors industry."—Rochester Post-Bulletin "An inspiration for young people everywhere to chart their own course."—The Christian Science Monitor "A delightful journey."—International Falls Daily Journal "Written in a storytelling style by Natalie, it’s about adventure, danger, fierce storms, winds, portages, running rapids, wild animals, friendship, humour and a window into the people and communities living along the urban and wilderness waterways."—Northern Wilds "In Hudson Bay Bound, Warren is spreading the gospel of outdoor adventure for teenage girls who feel like they don’t fit in."—Outside "This book is for anyone who wants to reminisce about their own past adventures, wants to understand why their own loved ones have gone or want to go on a nature expedition, and most importantly, to whet the palate of those who desire to set out on their own but are held back by other obligations."—Tower-Soudan Timberjay "You will be inspired as you paddle along with them on their adventure into the wild."—Northeaster "Sometimes that flow is filled with lightning storms, high winds, bears, and other tests of stamina, as Natalie Warren describes in Hudson Bay Bound."—Minnesota Women’s Press "The story takes readers on an engaging, fast-paced journey through both a physical space of interest and the lives of its young adventurers."—Anchorage Daily News "From planning the three-month expedition to completing the adventure of a lifetime, the author gives the reader an insider view of the perils and pleasures of wilderness tripping."—Ely Summer Times Table of ContentsForewordAnn BancroftPrologueFrom Palms to PinesThe Pack-OutFlooded UpstreamAgainst the WindMeet Me at the Popcorn StandRiver Races and Role ModelsLiving the Dream, DownstreamRapture Before the BorderAt Home on the Big LakeDon’t Wake the BeastWaiting for the WindEscape from Gull HarborA Tale of Tiny BoatsWindbound to Norway HouseYork Boats and Dog DaysInto the WildPancakes and PortagesSpring Break at Hell’s GateKnife RapidsPolar Bear ParadiseAfterwordNatalie Warren and Ann Raiho

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of Toussaint Charbonneau, a French Canadian fur trader, and his Shoshone wife, Sacagawea, who both joined the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804 as interpreters and guides. Sacagawea has become a near-legendary figure for her role on the expedition, but Toussaint's contribution largely has been overlooked - Lewis himself called him ""a man of no peculiar merit."" Now W. Dale Nelson offers a frank and honest portrayal of Toussaint, showing that his contributions as interpreter and guide were just as valuable as Sacagawea's help. Nelson also explores the life of Toussaint and Sacagawea's son, Jean Baptiste, who was born on the expedition, and follows his later western exploits as mountain man, scout, mayor, and judge in this family biography.Trade ReviewQuite useful to scholars and lay people alike as an enthusiastic public seeks the best biographies available on the men and women of the Lewis and Clark expedition. - William Swagerty, editor, Scholars and the Indian Experience. ""A page-turner that will hold the reader's interest late into the night."" - Roundup Magazine; ""An insightful, honestly presented, superbly written study that offers the truth behind the myths."" - Midwest Book Review

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Book SynopsisJames Cook, son of a farm laborer and onetime shopkeeper's apprentice, became one of England's greatest explorers. After learning his trade as a seafarer in the Royal Navy, he commanded three epic voyages that took him around the world twice and from the Antarctic to the Arctic. His many discoveries included the Great Barrier Reef of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. His exploration of the South Pacific added immeasurably to the geography of that region, and his rigorous insistence on a diet intended to prevent diseases like scurvy served as a model for generations of captains. On his final voyage, Cook was stabbed to death during the season of war in Hawaii. In ""Captain James Cook"", learn how this daring explorer charted far-flung regions of the globe.

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Book Synopsis"Let's go!" With that, the boyish, grinning Yuri Gagarin launched into space on April 12, 1961, becoming the first human being to exit Earth's orbit. The twenty-seven-year-old lieutenant colonel departed for the stars from within the shadowy world of the Soviet military-industrial complex. Barbed wires, no-entry placards, armed guards, false identities, mendacious maps, and a myriad of secret signs had hidden Gagarin from prying outsiders—not even his friends or family knew what he had been up to. Coming less than four years after the Russians launched Sputnik into orbit, Gagarin's voyage was cause for another round of capitalist shock and Soviet rejoicing. The Cosmonaut Who Couldn't Stop Smiling relates this twentieth-century icon's remarkable life while exploring the fascinating world of Soviet culture. Gagarin's flight brought him massive international fame—in the early 1960s, he was possibly the most photographed person in the world, flashing his trademark smile while rubbing elbows with the varied likes of Nehru, Castro, Queen Elizabeth II, and Italian sex symbol Gina Lollobrigida. Outside of the spotlight, Andrew L. Jenks reveals, his tragic and mysterious death in a jet crash became fodder for morality tales and conspiracy theories in his home country, and, long after his demise, his life continues to provide grist for the Russian popular-culture mill. This is the story of a legend, both the official one and the one of myth, which reflected the fantasies, perversions, hopes and dreams of Gagarin's fellow Russians. With this rich, lively chronicle of Gagarin's life and times, Jenks recreates the elaborately secretive world of space-age Russia while providing insights into Soviet history that will captivate a range of readers.Trade ReviewThis book is an outstanding piece of scholarship. The author has drawn on the best of Soviet historiography to craft a multifaceted biography of a man whose obscure origins made him appear to be a malleable public personality and with an easily masked face. Dr. Jenks has done as much for the scholarship of Soviet-era biography as historian Nell Irvin Painter has done for uncovering the lives of slaves in the United States. * The Russian Review *This is an intelligent and balanced biography that combines well the cultural history of space technology with Soviet and Russian history. Highly recommended. Academic, professional, and general audiences, all levels. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisGhost Galleon tells the story of archaeologists' twenty-year search on a desolate beach in Baja California for the enigmatic remains of a Spanish galleon that disappeared without a trace more than four centuries ago. Carrying a cargo of Asian riches to the New World, Manila galleons forged the final link in the unification of the world through commerce by their annual voyages across the Pacific Ocean. Here, author Edward Von der Porten relates how a chance viewing of Chinese porcelain sherds in a museum catalog led him, his wife Saryl, and a team of researchers to the beachcombers who discovered the sherds. To Von der Porten, these sherds represented the possibility of something much more significant: one of the earliest known Manila galleon shipwrecks on the West Coast. In collaboration with the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico (INAH), Von der Porten and his colleagues undertook the first of many archaeological expeditions to investigate the site in 1999. Over twenty years, a team of American and Mexican archaeologists recovered thousands of artifacts and concluded that they had located the remains of the cargo from a Spanish galleon-most likely the San Juanillo of 1578. This copiously illustrated, highly accessible work offers an inside view of how archaeologists carefully assemble the evidence that allows scientific reconstruction of past events. Despite the grudging resistance of time, Von der Porten and his colleagues have resurrected the tale of the ill-fated San Juanillo to enrich our understanding and appreciation of the past.

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Book SynopsisThe story of the 1882 Palmer Sinai Expedition, a spying and terrorist mission that ended in the murder of its participants and was one of the great cause celebre of the nineteenth century. Just before sunset on August 8th 1882 HMS Cockatrice, a small paddle wheel gunboat, appeared off the Egyptian shore. A rowing boat was lowered down its side and slowly moved towards the beach. On its arrival, six men and a teenage boy alighted. Three of the group were British, all dressed as Arabs, two were Bedouin tribesmen, one a Jew and one a Syrian. The following morning, this mismatched party set off for the desert, taking with them two boxes of dynamite and GBP3,000 in gold coin. Five of them were never seen again. An historical 'who-done-it', an adventure story, a history of the Anglo-Egyptian War and a biography of those involved in the controversy, /These Chivalrous Brothers/ explores the gulf between the Imperial ideal and reality and provides an insight into the character of the men who built the Empire. Through the biographies, it also throws light on such disparate topics as the early history of spying, spiritualism, female hysteria, biblical archaeology, various African uprisings, the Boer War and the hunt for 'Jack the Ripper'.

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Book SynopsisLieut.-Col. Laurence Austine Waddell (1854–1938) was a British Army officer with an established reputation mainly due to a work on the 'Buddhism' of Tibet, his explorations of the Himalayas, and a biography which included records of the 1903-4 military expedition to Lhasa (Lhasa and its Mysteries). Waddell was also in the limelight due to his acquisition of Tibetan manuscripts which he donated to the British Museum. His overriding interest was in 'Aryan origins'. After learning Sanskrit and Tibetan, and in between military expeditions and gathering intelligence from the borders of Tibet in the Great Game, Waddell researched Lamaïsm. He extended his activities to Archaeology, Philology and Ethnology, and was credited with discoveries in relation to Buddha. His personal ambition was to locate records of ancient civilisation in Tibetan lamaseries. Waddell is little known as an archaeologist and scholar, in contrast with his fame in the Oriental field, due to the controversial nature of his published works dealing with 'Aryan themes'. Waddell studied Sumerian and presented evidence that an Aryan migration fleeing Sargon II carried Sumerian records to India. He interrupted his comparative studies of Sumerian and Indian king-lists to publish a work on Phoenician origins and decipherment of Indus Valley seals, the inscriptions of which he claimed were similar to Sumerian pictogram signs cited from G. A. Barton's plates, which are reproduced in this volume. Waddell's life is reconstructed from primary sources, such as letters from Marc Aurel Stein at the British Museum and Theophilus G Pinches, held in the Special Collections at the University of Glasgow Library. Special attention is paid to the contemporary reception of his theories, with the objective of re-evaluating his contribution; they are contrasted to past and present academic views, in addition to an overview of relevant discoveries in Archaeology.

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Book SynopsisWith his Letter of 1493 to the court of Spain, Christopher Columbus heralded his first voyage to the present-day Americas, creating visions that seduced the European imagination and birthing a fascination with those "new" lands and their inhabitants that continues today. Columbus's epistolary announcement travelled from country to country in a late-medieval media event -- and the rest, as has been observed, is history. The Letter has long been the object of speculation concerning its authorship and intention: British historian Cecil Jane questions whether Columbus could read and write prior to the first voyage while Demetrio Ramos argues that King Ferdinand and a minister composed the Letter and had it printed in the Spanish folio. The Letter has figured in studies of Spanish Imperialism and of Discovery and Colonial period history, but it also offers insights into Columbus's passions and motives as he reinvents himself and retails his vision of Peter Martyr's Novus orbis to men and women for whom Columbus was as unknown as the places he claimed to have visited. The central feature of the book is its annotated variorum edition of the Spanish Letter, together with an annotated English translation and word and name glossaries. A list of terms from early print-period and manuscript cultures supports those critical discussions. In the context of her text-based reading, the author addresses earlier critical perspectives on the Letter, explores foundational questions about its composition, publication and aims, and proposes a theory of authorship grounded in text, linguistics, discourse, and culture.

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Book SynopsisA re-interpretation of American history. It argues that both writing about and popular understanding of, the exploration and mapping of the New World has largely ignored the pivotal role played by indigenous people.

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Book SynopsisThe Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803–06) systematically recorded weather and climate data during their 4,162-mile journey. This volume collects all such data from their various journals, describes the importance of this first-of-its-kind meteorological undertaking, and includes a color pictorial of the Lewis and Clark Trail. It will serve as a compelling resource for weather, history, and Lewis and Clark buffs alike, as well as for scientists looking back at weather and climate in the early 1800s.

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Book SynopsisIn the West at the turn of the twentieth century, public understanding of science and the world was shaped in part by expeditions to Asia, North America, and the Pacific. The Anthropology of Expeditions draws together contributions from anthropologists and historians of science to explore the role of these journeys in natural history and anthropology between approximately 1890 and 1930. By examining collected materials as well as museum and archive records, the contributors to this volume shed light on the complex social life and intimate work practices of the researchers involved in these expeditions. At the same time, the contributors also demonstrate the methodological challenges and rewards of studying these legacies and provide new insights for the history of collecting, history of anthropology, and histories of expeditions. Offering fascinating insights into the nature of expeditions and the human relationships that shaped them, The Anthropology of Expeditions sets a new standard for the field.

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Book Synopsis""Know your enemies, know yourself"", advised Sun Zi in his famous Art of War (AoW). In contrast, the legendary Admiral Zheng He would have said, ""Know your collaborators, know yourself"", and this would be the essence of his Art of Collaboration (AoC). This book offers a fresh new approach to doing business and providing leadership in the twenty-first century, where Zheng He's peaceful and win-win collaborative paradigm present in his AoC provides an alternative to the aggressive and antagonistic mindset inherent in Sun Zi's AoW. The author has culled from the existing literature on the historical, cultural, diplomatic, and maritime-oriented Zheng He, connected the dots of his discovery of a managerial Zheng He, and wrote this book to present both the big message of Zheng He's Art of Collaboration as well as an understanding of Zheng He's specific work as a leader and manager.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThis book features some of the greatest travellers in human history â people who undertook long journeys to places they knew little or nothing about. From Roman tourists, to the establishment of the Silk Road; an epic trek round China and India in the seventh century, to Marco Polo and through to the first speculations on space travel, Premodern Travel in World History provides an overview of long-distance travel in Afro-Eurasia from around 400BCE to 1500. This survey uses succinct accounts of the most epic journeys in the premodern world as lenses through which to examine the development of early travel, trade and cultural interchange between China, central Asia, India and southeast Asia, while also discussing themes such as the growth of empires and the spread of world religions.Complete with maps, this concise and interesting study analyzes how travel pushed and shaped the boundaries of political, geographical and cultural frontiers.Table of Contents1. Introduction – Why Travel? 2. Beginnings to 1000BCE Classical Period 3. The Middle East and the Mediterranean Region, 1000BCE to 500CE 4. China, Central Asia and the Establishment of the Silk Road, 200BCE to 500 CE The Post-Classical Period 5. Buddhist Journeys, 400 to 900 CE 6. A Decisive New Framework 7. Muslim Travelers, 700 to 1400 CE 8. Marco Polo and the Heritage of Christian Travel 9. An Explosion of Travel: The Fifteenth Century and Beyond 10. Conclusion

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisThe publications of the Hakluyt Society (founded in 1846) made available edited (and sometimes translated) early accounts of exploration. The first series, which ran from 1847 to 1899, consists of 100 books containing published or previously unpublished works by authors from Christopher Columbus to Sir Francis Drake, and covering voyages to the New World, to China and Japan, to Russia and to Africa and India. In this 1872 volume, Clements R. Markham, Honorary Secretary of the Society from 1858 to 1887, and then its President for twenty years, translated and edited four accounts of the Spanish conquest of Peru, written by eye-witnesses including Francisco Pizarro's secretary and his brother Hernando. The narratives include the events surrounding the downfall of the Inca empire; the final document is a notary's account of the distribution of the gold and silver which the Incas paid to the Spaniards as ransom for their ruler.Table of ContentsIntroduction; 1. Report of Francisco de Xeres, secretary to Francisco Pizarro; 2. Report of Miguel de Astete on the expedition to Pachacamac; 3. Letter of Hernando Pizarro to the royal audience of Santo Domingo; 4. Report of Pedro Sancho on the partition of the ransom of Atahuallpa.

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Book SynopsisThe publications of the Hakluyt Society (founded in 1846) made available edited (and sometimes translated) early accounts of exploration. This 1861 volume contains an early account of the most notorious sixteenth-century expedition in search of El Dorado, that of Lope de Aguirre, whose cruelty and treachery became legendary.Table of ContentsIntroduction Clements R. Markham; 1. Gives a brief account of the deeds of Pedro de Ursua before his arrival in Peru; 2. Pedro de Ursua builds the brigantines for the expedition, and makes Pedro de Ramiro his lieutenant-general; 3. Arles and Frias are displeased at having Ramiro among them; 4. People in Peru are fearful of mutiny in Ursua's expedition; 5. Juan de Vargas commences his voyages; 6. From the river Bracamoras the governor continues his voyage to that of Cocama, where he finds Juan de Vargas with his party; 7. The Indians come out to see the expedition; 8. Pedro de Ursua contiunes his course through a desert region; 9. Pedro de Ursua names a provisor or vicar-general for his fleet; 10. The mutineers determine to kill the governor, Pedro de Ursua, and to return to Peru; 11. The cruise of the traitor Aguirre; 12. The new general, Don Fernando, calls a council to discuss matters relative to the projected discovery of the new lands of the Dorado; 13. They leave the village (Machiparo) where they had killed Ursua; 14. Don Fernando comes to an understanding with Lope de Aguirre; 15. The soldiers irritate the Indians; 16. Don Fernando thanks them for his new election; 17. Aguirre addresses the soldiers; 18. Various projects regarding their journey to Pirú; 19. They arrive at an Indian village; 20. Don Fernando calls a council; 21. Difficulties between Captain Lorenzo Salduendo and Aguirre; 22. Aguirre makes his arrangements to kill the Prince Don Fernando and others; 23. Aguirre explains the cause of death of the governor and the others to the camp; 24. They catch an Indian; 25. Going down the river, they fall in with some strongly built houses, where they find cakes of salt; 26. The first Spaniard who sailed out of the mouth of this river was Captain Francisco de Orellana; 27. The maestro del campo, having received Aguirre's orders, departs, and strangles Sancho Pizarro on the road; 28. Aguirre makes prisoners of the governor, alcalde, and their companions; 29. For the love of a roving life, like that which the traitors led, some soldiers of the island join them; 30. Aguirre kills one of his captains; 31. Aguirre kills a captain, named Juan de Turriaga; 32. Aguirre arranges for the execution of the governor and his companions in captivity; 33. The people of the port of Burburata send tidings to the governor of Venezuala and that of Merida, concerning the acts of the traitor; 34. Preparations ordered by the Royal Audience of Sante Fé, and officers appointed; 35. Aguirre marches with his soldiers to Punta de Piedras; 36. Lope de Aguirre writes to the provincial; 37. Aguirre prepares to leave the island; 38. Aguirre orders an old man to be killed; 39. Aguirre embarks with all his people; 40. Garcia de Paredes goes from Merida to Tocuyo with some followers, sent by the governor; 41. Aguirre is informed that some soldiers, who were friendly to him, were in that part of the country; 42. Aguirre kills a tradesman, also a soldier, in this town of Burburata; 43. Aguirre marches, but with much trouble, towards Valencia; 44. The traitor allows the priest of Margarita to return to his dwelling; 45. Aguirre, marching from Valencia to Barquicimeto, comes to a mining settlement, where he falls into some trouble; 46. The maestro del campo, in a narrow part of the road, unexpectedly finds himself in Aguirre's camp; 47. Garcia de Paredes lays hands on some clothes and ammunition belonging to the traitor; 48. Bravo accepts the posts conferred on him by the governor; 49. Aguirre sends sixty arquebusiers to fire into the king's camp at night; 50. Aguirre, having fears of the desertion of his men, retires to his entrenchment; 51. The maestro del campo and Captain Bravo come up towards Aguirre's entrenchment; 52. Gives an account of the country Aguirre came from, his character and customs.

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Book SynopsisThe publications of the Hakluyt Society (founded in 1846) made available edited (and sometimes translated) early accounts of exploration. This 1897 volume contains accounts of early seventeenth-century expeditions to Greenland by Danish and English explorers, illustrated with four maps from the 1605 expedition, then only recently rediscovered.Table of ContentsEditor's preface; Introduction; A report to King Christian IV of Denmark on the Danish expedition to Greenland, under the command of Captain John Cunningham, in 1605 James Hall; Another account of the Danish expedition to Greenland under the command of Captain John Cunningham, in 1605 James Hall, as abbreviated by the Rev. Samuel Purchas; An account of the Danish expedition to Greenland, under the command of Captain Godske Lindenow, in 1606 James Hall, as abbreviated by the Rev. Samuel Purchas; An account of the English expedition to Greenland, under the command of Captain James Hall, in 1612 John Gatonbe; Another account of the latter part of the English expedition to Greenland, under the command of Captain James Hall, in 1612 William Baffin, as abbreviated by the Rev. Samuel Purchas; Appendices; Index.

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