Journey Through the East. Volume 1

Author: I. N. Berezkin, “Journey Through the East. Vol. 1”: “Nothing develops the mind like travel,” said Émile Zola, recognizing that few experiences can compare with discovering unexplored corners of our Earth, both far and near. Throughout human history, travelers have been regarded as heroes and wanderers who left behind the familiar ways of life to venture into the unknown. The urge to seek distant horizons and the unknown is at the heart of human nature, and the most successful—or most daring—attempts to conquer unexplored lands have invariably earned a place among humanity’s greatest achievements. Whether a prehistoric native in a flimsy vessel, an ancient mariner, a medieval merchant, an enlightened seventeenth-century humanist, or a twentieth-century polar explorer, they all belonged to a lineage of great wanderers who ventured into the unknown. Their stories, memoirs, and lives exemplify the highest expression of human capability and spirit. The “Great Journeys” series offers an opportunity to explore the stories of many great geographers, explorers, and adventurers, and to learn more about their lives, experiences, and achievements.