Throw out everything you know about Columbus. In the first major biography of the iconic explorer in more than sixty years, Laurence Bergreen shows us both the madness and genius of the man. Everyone knows about 1492, but Columbus embarked upon three more journeys, made all the more amazing by the fact that he sailed on instinct alone, never losing a man in his crossings. And Columbus left his mark (not always for the better) everywhere he went.

A biography of the sixteenth-century English sea captain Sir Francis Drake, who is famous for his voyage around the world, his raids against the Spanish, and his defeat of the Spanish Armada.

"Hold on to your Viking helmets as you learn about the first known European to set foot on North America in this exciting addition to the Who Was? Series! Leif Erikson was born to be an explorer. His father, Erik the Red, had established the first European settlement in present-day Greenland, and although he didn't yet know it, Leif was destined to embark on an adventure of his own. The wise and striking Viking landed in the area known as Vinland...

"In this title, readers will explore the New World with Hernando de Soto. Follow de Soto's journey as he travels southeastern North America seeking wealth for Spain. Along the way he leads the first European expedition into to what would become the United States."--

Born in 1451 in the seafaring nation of Genoa in northern Italy, Christopher Columbus grew up watching ships sail into the harbor loaded with riches from Egypt, Spain, England, and Belgium. Columbus was convinced that he could gain gold, silk, ivory, and much personal wealth for himself if he were to sail west from Europe to the east and trade with China and India. To achieve financial and political support for his dream, he lobbied various European...

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto is known for leading the first European expedition to discoverand crossthe Mississippi River. This intriguing book describes his career beginning with being a leader in the Spanish conquests of Central America and Peru, making first contact with the Inca emperor Atahuallpa, and being made the governor of Cuba. He was also a fierce and controversial explorer, who was involved in many conflicts with the Native Americans...

A portrait of the man who gave his name to the continents of the western hemisphere chronicles the life of Florentine explorer Amerigo Vespucci, an obscure adventurer, salesman, sorcerer, and relentless borrower of others' experiences and achievements.

"He fought and beheaded three Turkish commanders in duels. He was sold into slavery, then murdered his master to escape. He was captured by pirates--twice--and marched to the gallows to be hanged, only to be reprieved seconds before the noose dropped over his head. And all this happened before he was 30 years old. This is Captain John Smith's life. Everyone knows the story of Pocahontas and how she saved John Smith. And were it not for Smith's leadership,...