Celebrated Travels and Travellers, Part 2. The Great Navigators of the Eighteenth Century

"Celebrated Travels and Travellers, Part 2" by Jules Verne is a historical account written in the late 19th century. This volume is part of a trilogy that chronicles the significant journeys and explorations of notable figures, focusing specifically on the great navigators of the 18th century. The book explores the contributions of various explorers, including Captain James Cook and Alexander Selkirk, shedding light on their voyages and the changes they brought to navigation and cartography during this era. At the start of this volume, the author sets the stage by highlighting the scientific advancements in navigation and cartography that defined the 18th century. The narrative introduces key figures like Maupertuis and Condamine, detailing their astronomical expeditions and their revolutionary impact on understanding the Earth's shape. The opening portion also recounts the adventures of early privateers such as Wood Rogers and explores the dramatic return of Alexander Selkirk from solitude on Juan Fernandez Island, showcasing the human experiences intertwined with the age of exploration. Through engaging storytelling, Verne provides readers with a rich tapestry of historical exploration, emphasizing the interplay between science, adventure, and discovery. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Jules Gabriel Verne was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the Voyages extraordinaires, a series of bestselling adventure novels including Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864), Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1870), and Around the World in Eighty Days (1872). His novels, always well-researched according to the scientific knowledge then available, are generally set in the second half of the 19th century, taking into account the technological advances of the time.