America As Seen by Its First Explorers: The Eyes of Discovery (Dover Language Books & Travel Guides) [Paperback]

John Bakeless (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 17, 2011 | Series: Dover Language Books & Travel Guides

Fascinating portrait of the New World as the first explorers and settlers experienced it — Manhattan teeming with wildflowers, Boston with beavers, Chicago with a buffalo run. Based on scores of original journals, diaries and letters, authentic Indian narratives. 68 illustrations, 39 especially for this edition. Bibliography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (February 17, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486260313
• ISBN-13: 978-0486260310
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,825 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling reading for historians and naturalists, December 6, 2000

By 

R. Riis "rriis" (NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America As Seen by Its First Explorers: The Eyes of Discovery (Dover Language Books & Travel Guides) (Paperback)

A roughly chronological arrangement of chapters on the first-hand experiences of several explorers, both famous and lesser-known. It is very interesting to read the thoughts and observations (liberally quoted in the idiosyncratic spelling of the era) of the first encounters with people, animals, and plants of the Americas. The illustrations are from the period, though one might wish for a few modern maps to help illustrate the wanderings of some of these explorers. There are a few well-known explorers omitted, but that does not detract from what is included. Still, those who enjoy their history first-hand, and especially those interested in the natural history of North America, will find this book compelling reading.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For historical naturalists, January 17, 2005

By 

William J Higgins III (Laramie, Wyoming United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America As Seen by Its First Explorers: The Eyes of Discovery (Dover Language Books & Travel Guides) (Paperback)

While not exactly edge of your seat reading, this book depicts the ravages of human activities on our land from shortly after the early days of exploration up to modern times.

This is an atypical glimpse into the past on what our first explorers witnessed in the different types of land forms, animals, plants, native peoples, natural resources, etc. and how that has dramatically changed since those days. Many of these particular land forms from Maine to Washington, from California to Florida and all points in between have been altered one way or another due to human endeavors such as:

Colonization; agriculture in the form of farms, ranches and grazing; damming, draining and irrigation of rivers; the careless introduction of weeds and insects; lumbering and deforestation; hunting and fishing; mining; petroleum production; etc. have all influenced the way we see the country now as opposed to our first adventurers.

We read of the early Spanish explorers venturing in the southwest and southeast, the English and French in the northeast and northwest; the lands, also in terms of flora and fauna, were drastically different in size and abundance, some taxonomic species are now extinct, some now more numerous due to open fields from tree removal; certain birds, fish and mammals filling in ecological gaps, etc.

The explorers, to mention a few that are covered in the book, would be:

Cabeza de Vaca, Coronado, Cartier, Champlain, the Verendryes, Verrazano, LaSalle, Marquette and Jolliet, Boone, Drake, Vancouver and of course Lewis and Clark.

It is an insightful look into how the continental United States land area has changed in 500 years. Makes one wonder what the future holds.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very basic account of early N. American flora, fauna geo, April 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: America As Seen by Its First Explorers: The Eyes of Discovery (Dover Language Books & Travel Guides) (Paperback)

The text is quite easy to grasp and makes for easy reading. Focus is on what the thoughts of the individual explorer are as it relates to animal, plant and land forms. The avid and experienced reader will be a bit dissapointed with this work.

Several key explorers are not included which is a suprise. Written at a 7-8 grade level.