The Age of Exploration: From Christopher Columbus to Ferdinand Magellan (The Britannica Guide to Explorers and Adventurers)

The Age of Exploration, which spanned roughly from 1400 to 1550, was the first time in history that European powerseyeing new trade routes to the East or seeking to establish empiresbegan actively looking far past their own borders to gain a better understanding of the world and its many resources. The individuals who set out on behalf of the countries they represented came from a variety of backgrounds, and included master navigators such as Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellanthe latter of whom was the first to circle the globeas well as the often ruthless conquistadors of the New World such as Francisco Pizarro and Hernan Cortes. The exciting and sometimes tragic lives and journeys of these and many others as well as the battles for empire that arose are chronicled in this engaging volume.