Behind the Ranges
Tales of Explorers, Pioneers and Travellers

This 1940 book for young readers offers ten short historical narratives, which follow different explorers in their adventures around the world.

E. E. Reynolds (Author), S. Tresilian (Illustrated by)

9780521135269, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 February 2011

128 pages
20.3 x 12.7 x 0.8 cm, 0.15 kg

First published in 1940, this book by E. E. Reynolds was specifically designed for young readers. It offers ten short narratives, drawn from history, which follow different explorers in their adventures around the world. Subjects such as shipwrecks, fires at sea, encounters with indigenous people, scaling the Andes mountain range, and exploring the Arctic, are all treated in a lively manner, though Reynolds' writing also reflects some of the cultural and ethnocentric biases of his time. Containing hand-drawn maps and full-page illustrations, this book serves as an example of popular texts for young readers from the first half of the twentieth century.

1. Canada: outwitting the Red Indians
2. China: imprisoned in China
3. West Africa: on the road to Timbuktu
4. Arctic: a desperate venture
5. Atlantic: fire at sea
6. United States: the dark and bloody ground
7. Siberia: the unknown Siberia
8. South America: the great Andes of the Equator
9. Pacific: murder of an explorer
10. Antarctic: eight hundred miles in an open boat.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]