The Oxford Book of Exploration - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192805568 ISBN 13: 9780192805560

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2005

Synopsis

This is a comprehensive anthology of the writings of explorers through the ages, now fully revised and updated. The ultimate in travel writing, these are the words of those who changed the world through their pioneering search for new lands, new peoples, and new experiences.

The book takes us to Asia with Vasco da Gama and Wilfred Thesiger, to the Americas with Sir Francis Drake and Meriweather Lewis, to Africa with Dr David Livingstone and Mary Kingsley, to the Pacific with Ferdinand Magellan and James Cook, to the Poles with Robert Peary and Captain Scott, and beyond the Earth with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

About this title

About the Author

Robin Hanbury-Tenison is a well-known explorer, author, conservationist, broadcaster, film-maker, and campaigner. Named by the Sunday Times in 1982 as 'the greatest explorer of the past 20 years', he made the first land crossing of South America at its widest point, and the first river crossing of South America from north to south from the Orinoco to Buenos Aires. He was one of the founders of Survival International, the worldwide movement to support tribal peoples, and has been awarded an OBE for his work in lobbying on their behalf. He is a regular contributor of articles and reviews to newspapers and magazines, has made several films of his expeditions for television, and broadcasts regularly in radio and on TV.

From Library Journal

The compiler of this volume, himself an explorer, author, and world traveler, has put together a sampler of some of the best of the vast literature of exploration from around the world. It consists of carefully selected brief excerpts from the writings of Chinese foot and camel travelers of c.300 A.D. to 20th-century explorers on polar expeditions by balloon and airplane. Each excerpt is accompanied by a brief description of the expedition and a reference to the complete source of the excerpt. Unfortunately, Hanbury-Tenison's somewhat arbitrary distinction between "exploration" literature (included) and "travel" literature (excluded) serves to rule out many of the distinctive voices of women travelers. The result is nevertheless a series of fascinating vignettes that introduce the reader to the world of exploration literature, delight armchair travelers, and invite further reading. Suitable for both young adult and adult readers and a worthwhile addition to all libraries.
- Barbara Walden, Univ. of Minnesota Libs., Minneapolis
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0192805568
• ISBN 13: 9780192805560
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 596