A great popular scientific work "History of great travels and great travelers" Jules Verne wrote for 16 years. It vividly and entertainingly describes the most significant journeys, discoveries, events that gradually changed man’s idea of the geography of the world, erasing white spots on maps, promising wealth and becoming the causes of wars. The author covered the period from ancient times to the 40s of the XIX century .. He was greatly assisted in his work by geographer, translator and librarian Gabriel Marcel.. The first volume of "History", entitled "Discovery of the Earth", tells about the period from ancient times to the end of the XVII century, including the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries. The translation in this book is based on the "canonical" translation of E. Brandis, first published in the 50s. 20th Century . It was re-aligned with the original, the text corrected inaccuracies and restored extensive bills. Translation of missing passages - A. Moskvina . He also re-created a list of additional literature[edit]