Magnificent Voyagers: The U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842

Smithsonian Books , 1985. Softcover. Very Good. 9x0x11. In Very Good+ condition. A large-format, profusely illustrated volume issued in conjunction with the Smithsonian's exhibition commemorating the expedition of 1838-42. Controversial in its day but largely forgotten now, the expedition proved that Antarctica was a continent, produced many still-valuable maps of Pacific islands, and brought back the nucleus of the Smithsonian's natural history collections. Not a narrative history like William Stanton's The Great United States Exploring Expedition of 1838-1842 (1975), this is a collection of essays evaluating the scientific contributions made by the expedition. The text will appeal primarily to readers interested in the history of American science, but the numerous well-produced illustrations may appeal to a wider audience.