In the late Middle Ages, as the European Renaissance began to spread north from the Mediterranean and lay the foundation for a broader European culture, fascination with the New World, the land that lay beyond, also began to take hold. A great many expeditions set out to explore these unknown lands. It was a period of maritime expansion that broadened horizons and brought together men from all walks of life on what seemed to be a civilizing mission, however arrogantly perceived, and despite the fact that these sea voyages often turned out to be full of mercenary intent, replete with violence and destruction.Some of these explorers remain anonymous while others - such as Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan, Vasco de Gama, and James Cook - have gone down in history as great Conquistadores, but all were considered crazy for setting out on journeys whose parameters were of such an unknown magnitude. Regardless of where these men came from or what fate held in store for them, their log books - spanning five centuries of history - remain a testament to their courage and their confidence, as well as their misgivings and their fears. These are the explorers' eye-witness accounts of their perceptions of the New World and their logs magnificently convey the sense of wonder that new sights and experiences can inspire. Read Less