Abstract
MR. BAKER'S pioneer effort to survey the whole field of geographical discovery throughout the centuries fills a long-felt need. There is an embarrassing wealth of original accounts of voyages of discovery, and there are a few outstanding studies of particular periods or regions. With remarkable skill and accuracy the author has here gathered together all the essentials of our knowledge of the obtaining of the data on which modern charts and maps are based. A short bibliographical study precedes the volume; for each chapter a main source list is given and, in addition, there are numerous text references to authorities. The author frequently points out that the more spectacular voyages were by no means always the most fruitful in scientific results; his thoughtful appraisement of the ultimate geographical importance of many little-known voyages should help to stimulate the student's critical faculty.
A History of Geographical Discovery and Exploration.
By J. N. L. Baker. (Harrap's New Geographical Series.) Pp. 544. (London, Bombay and Sydney: George G. Harrap and Co., Ltd., 1931.) 12s. 6d. net.
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A History of Geographical Discovery and Exploration . Nature 129, 43 (1932). https://doi.org/10.1038/129043a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/129043a0