Customer Reviews

Unknown Lands

5 star:		(2)
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First, this is a very beautiful book. Compared to similar style volumes in the same price range, I would rate it as exceptional. The paper and bindings are very high quality and there are some incredible paintings, maps, and photos in the book. Some of the maps dating to the 15th and 16th centuries are particularly interesting and add a lot to the book.

The chapters themselves are divided into rather geographical units. There are chapters on the explorations of the Indian Ocean routes, the Atlantic routes to America, the Pacific Islands, etc., so it is not a chronological history. But the presentation works very well and the reader doesn't get lost with the time jumps back-and-forth between chapters. The author narrates the general explorations, and then includes passages from actual logbooks or subsequent accounts from involved parties. The result is a very interesting take and unique point-of-view on the first European explorations of America, India, and more. Many of the paintings included are caricture cartoons of the popular view of the various natives, and they really fit well when placed next to the words of the participants themselves and what they were really thinking. The author adds just enough commentary to place the logbooks in perspective, but not enough to disrupt the focus of the book with his personal opinions and analysis.

This book is more a detailed survey of the experiences of some of the explorers. However, Bellec does excellent research and it shows. One gets a close-up view of the discoveries/horrors/amazements that the Europeans went through in their travels. You really feel as if you are there when reading the journals of the various characters.
I loved it.