The Explorer's Eye: First-Hand Accounts of Adventure and Exploration [Hardcover]

Fergus Fleming (Editor), Annabel Merullo (Editor), Michael Palin (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2005

A stunningly illustrated collection of first-hand accounts by the voyageurs that extended the boundaries of our knowledge.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In the eighteenth century, exploration entered a new phase; for the first time explorers were motivated by scientific inquiry rather than greed. Their job was not only to open new lands but also to investigate the globe's mysteries. They were now expected to make a full record of everything they encountered, and include pictures as well as words.

Combining firsthand accounts with original images, The Explorer's Eye gives insight into who these people were, how they operated, and, above all, what they saw. Here you have Alexander von Humboldt braving the electric eels of South Africa, Robert Peary explaining the rigors of polar travel (and his wife giving her own slant too), Umberto Nobile lamenting the loss of his Zeppelin in an ice floe, Jacques Cousteau examining the planet from under the waves, and Neil Armstrong doing the same from outer space.

Drawing on a multinational archive of drawings, paintings, photographs, and journals, with expert commentary to set each expedition in context, and an introduction by Michael Palin, this book is a unique look at the world we inhabit.

About the Author

Fergus Fleming is one of Britain's leading popular historians and the author of five critically acclaimed histories of exploration. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and lives in Gloucestershire and London.

Annabel Merullo is a member of the Royal Geographical Society and an editor specializing in illustrated books. She is the co-creator of the internationally successful series of Century books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (July 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585677663
• ISBN-13: 978-1585677665
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,521,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars An insider's view of what makes explorers tick., September 3, 2011

By 

Steven Unwin "Steve Unwin" (Preston, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Explorer's Eye: First-Hand Accounts of Adventure and Exploration (Hardcover)

This book captures first hand accounts of explorers revealing who they were, how they worked and what they saw. It spans the time period since the early 1700's to Bertrand Piccard's epic circumnavigation of the globe by balloon in 1998.

It's tempting to think how difficult our own attempts at personal exploration are, and thus excuse our withdrawal into the unthinking herd. However a quick flick through this book soon reveals new perspectives on the challenges we face and how important it is to live our own life and not the cloned life of those around us.

As Michael Palin says in the introduction. `The Explorer's Eye is a treasure trove. Like Hiram Bingham unearthing Macchu Picchu or Charles Darwin landing on the Galapagos, untold wonders are about to unfold before you.'