A biography of Francisco Pizarro, an explorer who conquered a gold-rich empire that enriched Spain for decades.

First published in 1555, Cabeza de Vaca's narrative of his South American expeditions is a detailed account of his five years as governor of Spain's province of the Rio de la Plata in South America. Cabeza de Vaca was already a celebrated explorer by the time he went to La Plata, known for his great trek across North America in the 1520s and 1530s and for the Relación he wrote about that journey. His tales of his river and forest explorations in South America show that he had lost none of his early curiosity and drive. He was the great secular champion of the native peoples of the New World and the only Spaniard to explore the coasts and interiors of two continents. This book is one of the great first-person accounts of the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the sixteenth century. Morrow's new translation makes Cabeza de Vaca's adventures available to a wide English-speaking audience for the first time.

A narrative history of exploration from Christopher Columbus to the 19th century, with journal excerpts, diaries and other writings of the explorers themselves. Goodman has marshaled his wide-ranging research and lifelong interest in exploration into a comprehensive, scholarly history. A reprint of the original 1972 edition, the tales have lost none of their luster.

From tropical rainforests to frozen glaciers, South America has some of the most varied landscapes on Earth. Brazil is South America’s largest country in both area and population. Learn more about the natural resources, tourism, and culture in South America, an Exploring Our Seven Continents book.

Brief history of famous explorers from ancient times to the present

This book critically examines how movies that feature real or imagined explorers and expeditions creatively feature the geography of Latin America. It focuses on how locales are scripted into film plots and artistically depicted, and demonstrates that place is as important as any character in a film, especially in this genre. Nineteen key films are analyzed. Some, like Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Fitzcarraldo, The Other Conquest, Embrace of the Serpent, and The Lost City of Z are based on the exploits of real explorers. Others are fictional, including Apocalypto, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Dora and the Lost City of Gold. The author also discusses the evolution of exploration-discovery films, including trends that will likely be found in forthcoming movies.

American explorers have played a significant and exciting role in some of the greatest discoveries on Earth. From the exploration of the North American “wild west,” to the discovery of the North Pole, explorers from America are some of our most fascinating and heroic figures in human history. Great American Explorer Stories captures the exploits of great Americans such as Theodore Roosevelt, who made his way through the Brazilian wilderness, Harriet Chalmers Adams, who explored the Andean Highlands, and Captain Joshua Slocum, who sailed alone around the world. Also featured are page-turning accounts from from Hiram Bingham, Lewis and Clark, Nellie Bly, William Beebe, Annie and S. Peck, many others.

Anyone interested in learning about geographic concepts will appreciate this concise book that highlights the most important concepts. The fifth edition presents authoritative content, currency, and outstanding cartography. It continues to build on its strength for understanding maps with the help of additional question types. New coauthor Jan Nijman also helps provide a current view of the field. With its up-to-date information and accessible introduction, this book is engaging for any reader.