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Initially I enjoyed this book, but this changed when I reached about the 30% mark. From then on the explorers were routinely cruel and brutal. It might be history, but it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it. The book also mainly focused on Western European explorers of the Americas. Obviously a short book for children on exploration can’t cover everything, but I did find this focus very narrow. And speaking of children, I wouldn’t give this to my kids to read.
Most intersting overview of past explorations and discoveries, gives some insight into the lives of the people who despite opposition still took risks venturing into areas not previously explored and discovering new lands beyond the horizon! This book chronicles the explorations of Marco Polo, Colombus, Vasco da Gama, John and Sabastian Cabot, Vespucci, Ponce de Leon, Balboa, Magellan, Cortes, Pizarro, Drake, Hudson, etc, etc.
A very good overview of the most influential explorers in European history. It keeps their accomplishments and travels simple and to the point so that we get a good perspective on who did what, and how their actions influenced each-other. Sometimes these men can end up being grouped together, but this book does a good job clarifying which countries each one came from and contrasting their honorable and dishonorable behavior.
Flashback to middle school and high school history classes. It sounds quite dated, and most of the information is pretty basic, but it's a quick read and a good recap if you just want a refresher.
Published at the very beginning of the 20th century, the book is similar to a textbook, in a very accessible language. It was probably intended for middle and high-school level children.