Product Description

"The Maestros do a real service here in presenting the more familiar explorers in the context of all the migrations that have populated the Western Hemisphere....An outstanding introduction."--Kirkus Reviews. "The dazzlingly clean andaccurate prose and the exhilarating beauty of the pictures combine for an extraordinary achievement in both history and art."--School Library Journal.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #251591 in Books
• Published on: 1992-04-20
• Released on: 1992-04-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780688115128
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From Publishers Weekly
"From prehistory through the Age of Columbus," the many voyages of discovery to America are examined in lucid, fact-filled text and colorful illustrations and maps. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-5-- While this title is self-explanatory, it barely conveys the depth of the book's grand scope. The Maestros begin at the beginning as far as we know it, with the crossing of the Bering Land Bridge over 20,000 years ago. They carefully trace what is known of those Stone Age people, and include little-known points such as the possible visits of Phoenician explorers, Irish monks, Japanese fishermen, as well as the fairly well-documented Viking settlements. Illustrations show striking visual comparisons of ancient artifacts from both the Old and New Worlds, which reveal strong similarities. An appropriate emphasis is given to the thousands of years of human civilizations before Europeans established permanent settlements. The arrival of Columbus takes place almost halfway through the book. Conflicts between explorers who were fiercely ethnocentric and the native people who were often just as fierce in their own defense are treated with trenchant objectivity. Attractive, easy-to-use appendixes give tables of dates, pre-Columbian cultures, European explorers, and other facts. Giulio Maestro has achieved a happy mingling of artistic maps that include clear, descriptive diagrams of voyages and land routes, balanced with beautiful interpretations of broad landscapes in luscious colors of sky, cloud, sea, mountain, and forest. The dazzlingly clean and accurate prose and the exhilarating beauty of the pictures combine for an extraordinary achievement in both history and art. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
The Maestros do a real service here in presenting the more familiar explorers in the context of all the migrations that have populated the Western Hemisphere, beginning with the Ice Age journeys across the land bridge from Siberia to Alaska. Though the information is simply stated, it is lucid, well balanced, and scrupulous in distinguishing conjectures from documented facts and in pointing out the tragic effects of the Europeans' arrival on the Native Americans. The large, profusely illustrated format is handsome; and while Giulio Maestro's depictions of people are merely serviceable, he mixes his media to splendid effect to evoke sweeping landscapes in Newfoundland, the Caribbean, or even a brooding Gobi Desert. Maps; five pages of ``Additional Information'' include a table of dates and a list of early American groups. An outstanding introduction. (Nonfiction. 6-10) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Great book!
I came across this book by Betsy Maestro "The Discovery of the Americas" and I loved it. The text is simple and the illustrations are great. It is historically accurate as well, a must in my checklist. I didn't realize she also wrote the historical series "You Wouldn't Want to..." They are my favorite!! I recommend all of her books, especially for teachers. This series "The American Story" are great. I just wished they were more but she doesn't have one for the Revolution which would be great.

excellent survey of the history of discovery of the Americas
We read this book as part of our medieval times studies, and it compliments your studies wonderfully, in that it surveys a very broad range of time, but it all focuses on the discovery of the AMericas, from the last Ice Age to the Europeans. It should not be your only reading of the subject, but it helps put history in perspective for your 7-10 year old. There is also a timeline of dates in the back. This book went well with our Story of the World readings.

Great for the classroom
The students in my classroom enjoyed this book. It gave them a great overview of the content we had been studying. It can be used at the beginning of a unit or as a review.