Full Text Review(s)

" Explorers and Exploration is an outstanding reference resource for elementary and middle school levels that makes the history of exploration, from ancient times to the Space Age, come alive. This 11-volume set is obviously well researched and is written at a level that children can understand and find interesting. Each entry consists of at least one whole page, and is generously provided with excellent color illustrations, photographs, and maps. A brief timeline is included to illustrate important dates in the explorer’s life or a location’s history. Sidebars with quotations from primary sources and with further information, such as technology in the time period covered, assist readers in understanding the entry and its significance. Its coverage is fairly exhaustive, without being overbearing. The pages are vibrant, and will appeal to the intended audience, even though this audience is accustomed to multimedia bells and whistles.
The layout of this resource is outstanding and assists teachers and children with its use. There is a reader’s guide provided in volume 1 that explains the features of the resource. Entries are color coded according to time period (to 500 C.E., 500-1400, 1400-1850, 1850-1945, 1945-2000), and a helpful glossary and index of the current volume are provided. The first volume also includes a chart of thematic contents, allowing the user to find topics of interest quickly. Themes are indexed by people (geographically), places, institutions, science and technology, and general. Volume 11, the last in the set, provides a timeline by continents, a glossary comprehensive to the whole set, resources for further study (print and electronic), and a list and contact information for places to visit. Even younger users are given a list of resources suitable for their use. People, places, maps, and science and technology are indexed, and a comprehensive index of the set is included as well. The quality of Explorers and Exploration is obvious, and any school media center or public library that can afford it should add it to their collections."

* "This detailed, multi-volume encyclopedia focuses on all aspects of exploration, historical and modern. Science and technology entries are interspersed throughout the set alongside more traditional topics. The scientific entries include topics such as submersibles, global positioning systems, remote sensing, satellites, NASA and SETI. The entries on individual explorers are well done with a clear explanation of why they explored, for whom they explored, what area was explored, and details of discoveries made. A timeline accompanies each explorer entry, and primary sources are plentiful throughout. While the set focuses mainly on European and American explorers, entries are included for a few Asian and African explorers. Entries include color and b&w photographs. The scope of explorers included will allow students to find information on the well-known explorers, as well as explorers that have not been traditionally covered in depth. Bibliography. Timeline. Glossary. Web sites. Index. Highly Recommended. "
*STARRED REVIEW*

"This set includes more than 100 biographical entries and 50 topical articles, organized alphabetically. A thematic table of contents in the first volume conveniently groups the explorers geographically and divides the articles into broad categories. Most entries are between two and eight pages long, with plenty of illustrative material. The clearly written text provides solid overviews, along with key dates and details. Biographical sections stick fairly closely to the individuals’ lives, while side boxes highlight selected topics. In an article on Ferdinand Magellan, for example, information on the rivalry between Portugal and Spain provides useful context. Quotations from writings and journals also add flavor to some of the articles. Thematic entries examine broad topics such as "Mapmaking," "NASA," and the "Silk Road," along with information on several nations and regions. Emphasis is on the accomplishments of the individuals rather than the impact they had on the societies they "discovered," but the sometimes damaging effects of exploration are touched upon in general sections like "Native Peoples" and within some biographical profiles. Most articles include a colorful map with voyage routes clearly identified when applicable, and all include a time line. Clear, captioned reproductions of portraits, paintings, historical maps, and photographs appear on nearly every page, adding considerable visual appeal. "See also" references at the end of each article and several indexes in the final volume help to synthesize related topics. An effective and accessible resource."