The Story of Geographical Discovery: How the World Became Known

This compact volume offers a sweeping overview of humanity’s quest to chart the unknown, beginning with ancient Babylonian and Greek conceptions of the world and moving through the medieval tapestry of maps dotted with fantastical creatures. The author weaves together voyages, explorers, and the shifting motives that drove them—spices, gold, and the lure of distant lands—while keeping the narrative lively and accessible. Richly illustrated with twenty‑four reproduced maps, the book lets listeners visualize how each new discovery reshaped the mental image of the globe.

Beyond the grand expeditions of Columbus, Magellan, and the Portuguese navigators, the work highlights the role of institutions like the Royal Geographical Society in preserving and interpreting these records. An extensive appendix lists the major voyages and the key works that recorded them, giving a handy reference for curious minds. Listeners will come away with a clear sense of how curiosity, commerce, and competition combined to turn a fragmented world into the interconnected map we know today.