Historical Atlas of Exploration: 1492-1600 [Hardcover]

Angus Konstam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 13, 2006 | Series: Historical Atlas

As Europe emerged from the psychological restrictions of the Middle Ages, the new learning of the Renaissance emboldened a handful of adventurers to seek new horizons across the ‘Ocean Sea’. And so began the Age of Discovery. A story of intense passion, rivalry, and excitement, it is still seen as one of the greatest periods of global discovery. In this readable study of the subject, re-discover Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama’s search for a sea route to the Indies, John Cabot’s exploration of North America, and Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe. Historical Atlas of Exploration contains a superb selection of contemporary illustrations and 70 detailed full color maps that follow each explorer on his travels. Discover with them the wonders of the New World, the Pacific Islands, the Indies, the Spice Islands, and mysterious, colorful Asia.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Renowned historian and museum curator Konstam, in association with the National Maritime Museum, has produced a masterly account of exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries. After the formation of nation-states at the end of the Middle Ages, Spain, Portugal, France, Holland, and England sent expeditions to find routes to China and the Indies. Because of its geographic position and the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal was at the forefront, charting the route around Africa. Spain explored the Caribbean and southeast North America, the Dutch and Portuguese reached the Indies late in the 15th century, and the English and the French explored what would become Canada and the northern United States. Lavishly illustrated with maps, charts, and paintings, this book includes informative chapters on the construction of ships and the navigational science of the era. Essential for all public and college libraries, this is an enjoyable book for lay readers as well as specialists.DStanley Itkin, Hillside P.L., New Hyde Park, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Review

“A detailed look at 41 explorers who roamed the world during the Age of Discovery.” -- School Library Journal, November --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Mercury Books (July 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1904668089
• ISBN-13: 978-1904668084
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,706,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

With over 50 history books in print, Angus is a widely recognised and much-published historian. While he specialises in military and naval history he has also written numerous more general history books, designed to make the subject more accessible to a wider audience. Uniquely he has been able to draw on his expertise as a senior museum curator who has worked on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as on his academic training as a historian and as a maritime archaeologist.

His latest book is a full-length biography: Blackbeard: America's Most Notorious Pirate, which is published by Wiley & Sons. of New York (June 2006)

Angus is also just finished writing a history of the Allied landings at Salerno in September 1943 for the British publisher Pen & Sword, and he is currently working on a new project, with the working title of Supership: The Quest for the Renaissance Battleship.

Angus lives in Edinburgh, in Scotland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, exceptionally well presented, timeline history., September 6, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Exploration: 1492-1600 (Hardcover)

This survey of the history of exploration provides an excellent chronological coverage which pairs biographies of the sailors involved with details of the voyages they undertook and the ships they used. Maps, color illustrations and charts provide a fine timeline of events and dates.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars useful book with minor flaws, September 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Historical Atlas of Exploration: 1492-1600 (Hardcover)

As a Social Studies teacher I found this book useful and informative. I like the charts and maps and the information is well organized. I was surprised at information left out that would create a clearer picture of who these explorers were. For example, we learn that a crew member on Columbus's ship spotted land first but not that Columbus took the credit and the reward.We learn that La Navidad is destroyed and the settlers killed but not that the settlers were cutting off the hands of the Indians who didn't bring gold.