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skbat's review
2.0
I have a problem with the presentation of female explorers in this book. There are 7 women and 63 men represented, which perpetuates the historical exclusion of women from scientific pursuits. Wikipedia lists 90 female explorers, not counting astronauts - surely more than 7 left interesting sketchbooks of their experiences!
Every bio of a female explorer also contains patronizing language, such as Maria Sibylla Merian's - apparently silkworm observation is "a peculiar pastime for a young girl", but "her greatest legacy was to remind us... most of all, never to underestimate girls who collect caterpillars." Repeated descriptors such as "unconventional", "petite", and "frail-looking" further undermine the achievements of women by focusing on physical characteristics that are never mentioned in the men's bios.
In addition, the book is Eurocentric and makes only half-hearted attempts to describe feats of exploration in such terms. There seems to be no inclusion of POC or explorers from non-European countries, and little discussion of the impacts of colonialism.
I wanted to like this book, to feel inspired by the art of discovery and adventure. Instead, I walked away frustrated and determined to do my own research on pioneering explorers who sadly continue to be ignored and excluded from history.
Every bio of a female explorer also contains patronizing language, such as Maria Sibylla Merian's - apparently silkworm observation is "a peculiar pastime for a young girl", but "her greatest legacy was to remind us... most of all, never to underestimate girls who collect caterpillars." Repeated descriptors such as "unconventional", "petite", and "frail-looking" further undermine the achievements of women by focusing on physical characteristics that are never mentioned in the men's bios.
In addition, the book is Eurocentric and makes only half-hearted attempts to describe feats of exploration in such terms. There seems to be no inclusion of POC or explorers from non-European countries, and little discussion of the impacts of colonialism.
I wanted to like this book, to feel inspired by the art of discovery and adventure. Instead, I walked away frustrated and determined to do my own research on pioneering explorers who sadly continue to be ignored and excluded from history.
bluenancyhawaii's review
5.0
This beautiful book offers samples of the writing and drawing of explorers from all over the world and going back centuries. Each entry — offered alphabetically — gives a little summary of the explorer’s life and work, and the rest is devoted to his/her own writing. As a nosy Parker, I love reading other people’s letters and journals, and this book allows a small glimpse into the daily life of extraordinary people. I particularly appreciate the number of female explorers who are represented and presented as equals to the men.
rathernovel's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the layout and all the photos but I really wish there had been less white men explorers that I've read or heard about from other history books I've read and more women and POC.
magpiefox's review
5.0
This beautiful book offers samples of the writing and drawing of explorers from all over the world and going back centuries. Each entry — offered alphabetically — gives a little summary of the explorer’s life and work, and the rest is devoted to his/her own writing. As a nosy Parker, I love reading other people’s letters and journals, and this book allows a small glimpse into the daily life of extraordinary people. I particularly appreciate the number of female explorers who are represented and presented as equals to the men.
naturalistnatalie's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's not a book I wanted to sit down and read cover to cover. Instead, I would read about two or three explorers at a time and then scrutinize their sketches. The authors included a wide variety of artistic talent among the explorers. Some images were photorealistic reproductions of beautiful landscapes or organisms. Others were crude sketches of people or maps. All of them showed a moment in these people's lives they thought was important enough to put down on paper. Then, we can come and admire it, even hundreds of years later. I think I most enjoyed the bits of culture captured on the page when the explorer met some new people.
It did feel to me that there was a preponderance of polar explorers represented. The authors did seem to make an effort to include people other than dead white men, but dead white guys definitely dominated the explorers represented. Even so, the sheer variety of images reprinted in the book were a feast for the eyes and mind.
It did feel to me that there was a preponderance of polar explorers represented. The authors did seem to make an effort to include people other than dead white men, but dead white guys definitely dominated the explorers represented. Even so, the sheer variety of images reprinted in the book were a feast for the eyes and mind.
jdgcreates's review
3.0
A beautiful book but more historical and dense that I was in the mood for; great for anyone interested in art and history though!
catstopmenow's review
4.0
If you know me, you know I love a good journal, so I enjoyed this book a lot—it's beautiful and has so many cool things in it. A little heavy on Antarctica and a little light on female explorers, which was disappointing because I'm sure females explore and I'm also sure we write about our travels. I don't know why there were so few, but it was still a gorgeous book to read. Learned of some cool explorers that I will need to read more about.