Accidental Explorers: Surprises and Sidetrips in the History of Discovery

The author relates the travels of such well-known explorers as Pizarro and the role that chance played in their discoveries. One chapter, "Down the Amazon by Mistake," tells of an expedition planned by Pizarro's half-brother, Gonzalo, into the unexplored jungles of South America. Part of the expedition was sent downstream to look for food and supplies for the starving expedition but the current was so fast they could not return, and instead traveled more than 2,000 miles down the river. Chronology, list of further readings, and index. Part of the Extraordinary Explorers series.Stefoff, Rebecca is the author of 'Accidental Explorers: Surprises and Sidetrips in the History of Discovery' with ISBN 9780195076851 and ISBN 0195076850.