First part of Jules Vernes three-part history of the exploration of the world. This volume covers from Hanno and Herodotus to Champlain and LaSale. According to Wikipedia: Jules Gabriel Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905) was a French author who pioneered the science-fiction genre. He is best known for his novels Journey to the Center of the Earth (written in 1864), From the Earth to the Moon (1865), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1869–1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1873). Verne wrote about space, air, and underwater travel before navigable aircraft and practical submarines were invented, and before any means of space travel had been devised. Consequently he is often referred to as the Father of science fiction, along with H. G. Wells. Verne is the second most translated author of all time, only behind Agatha Christie with 4162 translations...