Pathfinders: A Global History of Exploration [Paperback]

Felipe Fernández-Armesto (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 2007

"A brilliant and readable book...a rich study of humankind's restless spirit."—Candice Millard, New York Times Book Review

Greeted with coast-to-coast acclaim on publication, Fernández-Armesto's ambitious history of world exploration sets a new standard. Presenting the subject for the first time on a truly global scale, Fernández-Armesto tracks the pathfinders who, over the past five millennia, lay down the routes of contact that have drawn together the farthest reaches of the world.

The Wall Street Journal calls it "impressive...a huge story [told] with gusto and panache." To the Washington Post, "Pathfinders is propelled by an Argonaut of an author, indefatigable and daring. It's a wild ride." And in a front-page review, the Seattle Times hails its "tart and elegant presentation...full of surprises. Fernández-Armesto's lively mind, pithy phrasing, and stunningly thorough and diverse knowledge are a constant pleasure."

A plenitude of illustrations and maps in color and black and white augment this rich history. In Pathfinders we have a definitive treatment of a grand subject.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers of history will delight in Fernández-Armesto's latest. The Tufts historian (Millennium) deftly manages the near-impossible task of a comprehensive account of world exploration from the dawn of humankind while maintaining an interesting tone throughout. The evocatively titled chapters ("Reaching," "Stirring," "Springing") follow a well-organized outline, and short sections keep the reader from feeling overwhelmed with information. Beginning with Homo erectus's migrations from East Africa to the rest of the continent and to Eurasia a million and a half years ago, the book examines how and why cultures spread throughout the world. Each section of the globe is examined, from the Tigris and Euphrates to the Pacific Islands, the Middle East and Africa. Along the way, technological and scientific leaps, such as sails, cartography and the cure for scurvy are explained. Fernández-Armesto also looks at the important role economics and politics have played in world exploration, The author excels when he narrows the focus, such as when he places Columbus into historical context so that the magnitude of his journey and its difficulty are fully felt. This volume truly covers everything the title claims, resulting in a rich history of our world. 16 pages of color illus., 44 b&w illus., 48 maps. (Oct.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

`A splendid book... a measured, comprehensive, often witty chronicle...Pathfinders does what a history book ought to do: it teaches without being condescending and it obliges you to think.' Jonathan Wright, Geographical Magazine Book of the Month

`'Fernandez-Armesto takes us around the world in 428 fascinating pages.' ' Anthony Sattin, Times Online

`'A spectacular bookEL of scrupulous scholarship and staggering breadth.' ' Angel Gurria-Quintana, Financial Times Magazine --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (October 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393330915
• ISBN-13: 978-0393330915
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exploring who we are and who we were, December 1, 2006

By 

Richard Cumming "dick" (the heartland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pathfinders: A Global History of Exploration (Hardcover)

I was always fascinated by the great explorers; Columbus, Magellan, Da Gama. The stories that we learned about these men in school seemed like cliche's. What were they really like? What were they really looking for?

This scholarly yet accessible book tells their stories as well as the tales of many explorers we have not heard about. Dr. Fernandez-Armesto probes deeply yet prudently. In a mere 400 pages he covers the history of exploration in chronological fashion. We travel across the sea to Brasil with Cabral. We visit the polar regions with Amundsen and Scott. Captain Cook takes us everywhere. We go into the Amazon and the heart of Africa.

This book is a marvel. Your children will be enriched. Adults will be illuminated. Beautifully written, smoothly flowing, a wonder to read. This reviewer came away stunned and delighted.

33 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pathfinders, a book to read and reread, September 12, 2006

By 

Renée van de Graaf "Renée van de Graaf" (Amsterdam, Nederland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pathfinders : A Global History of Exploration (Hardcover)

I have had the opportunity of reading Professor Fernandez-Armesto`s book that describes the history of global exploration. I must confess that it has enlightened my mind up to the point of finding answers to many of the questions I have quoted since my school years. His original and provoking theories justify why Europeans seek the discovery of new then unknown lands (when boats where able to sail upwind, when the Canary Islands entered the map and when the determination of rulers and financiers made it possible) whilst other peoples with similar or even great development of sailing technology and enjoying of similar trade winds did not succeed in conquering other territories as they lacked the sense of long term view. I have it on my bedside table to refresh my memory on who did what. It has already given me the opportunity of sharing what I have learnt through its lecture with my friends and I am sure each time I review it, will be able to gather new interesting information. I strongly recommend scholars and everyone interested in history to browse its pages and glean ideas from our history to learn about our future.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, May 9, 2007

By 

Jeff Janoda - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pathfinders: A Global History of Exploration (Hardcover)

I only write reviews for books I like, and this one I liked a lot. An excellent overview of global exploration. The author looks at pretty much every culture on the planet, and how each searched the world around it, and how humanity spread and intermingled. This is extremely readable lay history, transforming much of the dry narrative we encountered in history texts at school into engaging story. Many new insights into familiar historical scenarios. For example, L'anse aux Meadows, the famous 'Norse' ruins on Newfoundland, may in fact be the remains of a settlement of Irish monks, not vikings. They shared a similar technology. Anything found there could have been brought by St. Brendan wannabes (spindle whorls and such). Great stuff!
Might buy this one as Christmas gifts for people.