Daring French Explorations

Sixteen French explorers embark readers on their voyages around the world, to witness the trials and tribulations encountered as they charted new routes to remote territories.

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In 400 pages beautifully illustrated with some 300 documentsincluding previously unpublished or rare texts, maps, and illustrations from centuries-old sketchbooksreaders discover these intrepid travelers and their extraordinary scientific, military, or commercial voyages, which have significantly marked the history of world exploration and contributed to our modern understanding of geography, cartography, climate change, and global cultures. Unfiltered extracts from travel journals, original works by each explorer, and previously unpublished personal correspondence plunge readers into the heart of their adventures. These rare first-person historical accounts provide enlightening insight into their thoughts, concerns, and contemporary attitudestouching on themes such as colonization, religion, trade, and geopoliticswith relevance that strikes the chords of modern-day issues.