Books in Great Journeys Accross Earth series

How many times did Captain Cook cross the Pacific? Where was he forced to turn back by walls of ice--twice? Why did he meet such a tragic end? More than 200 years ago, Captain James Cook guided his small wooden sailing ship on three truly epic voyages across uncharted oceans. As one of the world’s greatest-ever navigators and explorers, he journeyed much farther than most jet-setting travelers fly today. Discover how Cook and his crew visited lands where Europeans had never set foot. Find out how they suffered tremendous hardship at sea, yet mapped thousands of miles of strange coastlines, marveled at the customs of local people, and recorded all kinds of exotic wildlife.

What were the dangers facing the Everest expedition? Which other countries were trying to conquer the mountain? How were Hillary and Norgay selected for the 'final push'? Travel back more than 50 years to the greatest climbing challenge in the world. Any mountaineering team that aimed to reach the top of Everest needed expert planning, the latest clothing and equipment, and terrific courage and endurance to tackle the Earth’s highest peak. Read about the problems faced by the climbers, such as deep cracks or crevasses in the ice, sheer cliffs, roaring avalanches and hurricane-force winds. Find out how the team moved their camps and supplies up the massive mountain, until two men made the dash for the top--and became global heroes.

A blend of history, geography and culture, this series looks at the some of the greatest expeditions ever undertaken.These books offer a thrilling adventure through unknown worlds, looking at landforms, world geography, culture and history.It provides a cross-curricular approach to draw in readers usually reluctant to tackle particular subject areas. It includes high-interest books with strong human interest and an adventure story narrative. It includes primary source material and lots of non-fiction features, such as maps and fact-boxes.

A blend of history, geography and culture, this series looks at the some of the greatest expeditions ever undertaken.These books offer a thrilling adventure through unknown worlds, looking at landforms, world geography, culture and history.It provides a cross-curricular approach to draw in readers usually reluctant to tackle particular subject areas. It includes high-interest books with strong human interest and an adventure story narrative. It includes primary source material and lots of non-fiction features, such as maps and fact-boxes.

When did humans first reach the South Pole? Why was there a race to get there? What discoveries did the first people to reach the Pole make? Take a journey back in time, and discover the facts behind a race that fascinated the world. It was a race between rival expeditions whose leaders both became heroes. A race in which some competitors paid the ultimate price--their lives. Find out about the difficulties the expeditions faced: the coldest temperatures on Earth, the high winds and storms, and the long distances they had to cross. Learn more about the worlds harshest environment--the Antarctic--and the brave men who battled across it in the hope of victory.

How did Ferdinand Magellan crush his crew’s violent rebellion? What were the navigating skills needed to cross unknown oceans? Was Magellan really the first person to sail completely around the world? Nearly 500 years ago, Spain and Portugal fought fiercely for ocean supremacy and control of rich trading routes between Europe and Southeast Asia. Portuguese captain Ferdinand Magellan set out in the service of Spain to find a new route to the east--and sailed into history. Read about Magellan’s battles with mountainous waves, howling winds, angry crews, and killer diseases such as scurvy. Learn about the fabulous riches of the spice trade, how Magellan became involved in local warfare, and how, on a beautiful tropical island, he was stabbed and hacked to death.

Why did people want to discover the source of the Nile? Who was the first to find it, how did they get there, and when? What did some of the earliest explorers in Africa encounter on their quests? Take a journey back in time and discover the facts about a great mystery waiting to be solved: the source of the Nile. Two men set out to find where the world’s longest river began, but only one was to succeed! This was a journey of the unexpected, across land that had never been explored before. Find out about the difficulties the travelers faced: the searing heat of Africa, the mountainous terrain, the dangerous wild animals, and the agony of tropical diseases. Learn more about the African continent and the people the explorers met as they struggled on foot across unknown lands.