Faces of Exploration : Encounters with 50 Extraordinary Pioneers

"Faces of Exploration" is a lavishly produced collection of interviews, photographs and biographies of fifty of the world's most famous and inspirational explorers.

It will appeal to anyone motivated by examples of human endeavour, fascinated by exploration or interested in what makes people risk their lives to undertake epic journeys.

Anthropologists, ethnologists, cavers, climbers, balloonists, pilots, astronauts, polar specialists, desert explorers, and sailors are all included.

Each pioneer has been interviewed and photographed exclusively by award-winning photographer Joanna Vestey.

Best-selling travel writer Justin Marozzi compliments the stunning images with evocative text, an additional photograph is supplied by the explorers themselves from their personal archives.

Many were previously unpublished. "Faces of Exploration" is the first collection to focus entirely on contemporary explorers.

It is endorsed with the double authority of the Royal Geographic Society and the Explorers Club, and is filled with inspirational stories and images that will bring this defining period of history to life. Explorers featured include: Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Buzz Aldrin, Sir Edmund Hilary, Sir Richard Branson, Steve Fossett, Sir Chris Bonnington, Bear Grylls, Jean-Michel Cousteau, and many more.