Shedding the Veil

"Shedding the Veil" is a highly original overview of Europe's exploration and discovery beyond her own confines. It tackles the subject via an analysis of maps dating from circa 1434 to 1865, with an emphasis on the period before 1600. The book begins with an appraisal of the peculiar circumstances which led late medieval Europe to pursue long-distance travel, both overland and by sea, introduces cosmographic traditions inherited from classical times, and investigates pre-Columbian...
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"Shedding the Veil" is a highly original overview of Europe's exploration and discovery beyond her own confines. It tackles the subject via an analysis of maps dating from circa 1434 to 1865, with an emphasis on the period before 1600. The book begins with an appraisal of the peculiar circumstances which led late medieval Europe to pursue long-distance travel, both overland and by sea, introduces cosmographic traditions inherited from classical times, and investigates pre-Columbian excursions into the western ocean. Finally, the great voyages and "mappaemundi" of the early sixteenth century are described in depth. After 1600 the focus begins to narrow North America and particularly to the colonization of the American Northeast. All maps discussed in detail are illustrated. 40 full-page b/w plates, 25 full-page color plates.
Contents: "Part One: A World Called Europe: "PrecedentsThe World As Known to Medieval EuropeClassical Enlightenment: The Renaissance Before Columbus"Part Two: A New World: "The Western Antipodes?The Race to Skirt AmericaTruly a Fourth Part of the Globe"Part Three: Early Colonization: "The British and FrenchThe DutchPre- and Post- Revolution
Readership: General.