"In this first full history of around-the-world travel, Joyce E. Chaplin brilliantly tells the story of circumnavigation." For almost five hundred years, human beings have been finding ways to circle the Earth-- by sail, steam, or liquid fuel; by cycling, driving, flying, going into orbit, even by using their own bodily power. Chaplin shows how the desire to take on the planet has tested the courage and capacity of the bold men and women who took up the challenge. Their exploits show us why we think of the Earth as home.

Fear : Magellan agonistes ; A world encompassed ; Traffic ; Terrestriality -- First entr'acte -- Confidence : A tolerable risk ; Fast, faster ; The Club of Eccentrics ; Pure pleasure -- Second entr'acte -- Doubt : Flight ; The outer limits ; Army and Navy surplus ; Magellan redivivus.