Shores of Knowledge: New World Discoveries and the Scientific Imagination

Exploring the impact of early explorers like Columbus, the narrative highlights their quest for wealth and the exotic specimens they brought back from the New World. This influx of curiosity challenged the Church's authority and sparked a movement towards knowledge and scientific inquiry. Joyce Appleby chronicles the adventures of both renowned and lesser-known naturalists, illustrating how their discoveries of flora and fauna contributed to the scientific and technological advancements that shaped modern Western Europe.