Description

Book Synopsis
The year was 1765. Eminent botanist Philibert Commerson had just been appointed to a grand new expedition: the first French circumnavigation of the world. As the ships’ official naturalist, Commerson would seek out resources—medicines, spices, timber, food—that could give the French an edge in the ever-accelerating race for empire.
 
Jeanne Baret, Commerson’s young mistress and collaborator, was desperate not to be left behind. She disguised herself as a teenage boy and signed on as his assistant. The journey made the twenty-six-year-old, known to her shipmates as “Jean” rather than “Jeanne,” the first woman to ever sail around the globe. Yet so little is known about this extraordinary woman, whose accomplishments were considered to be subversive, even impossible for someone of her sex and class.
           
When the ships made landfall and the secret lovers disembar

The Discovery of Jeanne Baret A Story of Science the High Seas and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe

    Product form

    £15.92

    Includes FREE delivery

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Thu 25 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback by Glynis Ridley

    15 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Discovery of Jeanne Baret A Story of Science the High Seas and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe by Glynis Ridley

      Publisher: Crown
      Publication Date: 12/6/2011 12:00:00 AM
      ISBN13: 9780307463531, 978-0307463531
      ISBN10: 0307463532
      Also in:
      Biography: adventurers and explorers Biography: general Gender studies: women and girls

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      The year was 1765. Eminent botanist Philibert Commerson had just been appointed to a grand new expedition: the first French circumnavigation of the world. As the ships’ official naturalist, Commerson would seek out resources—medicines, spices, timber, food—that could give the French an edge in the ever-accelerating race for empire.
       
      Jeanne Baret, Commerson’s young mistress and collaborator, was desperate not to be left behind. She disguised herself as a teenage boy and signed on as his assistant. The journey made the twenty-six-year-old, known to her shipmates as “Jean” rather than “Jeanne,” the first woman to ever sail around the globe. Yet so little is known about this extraordinary woman, whose accomplishments were considered to be subversive, even impossible for someone of her sex and class.
                 
      When the ships made landfall and the secret lovers disembar

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account