The history of mankind is the history of wars and geographical discoveries. There were a great many of both. But only two wars are called world wars, and only three geographical discoveries have a similar status. This is the discovery of three new continents - America, Australia and Antarctica (Europeans have always known about Asia and Africa). And therefore, among the names of the great navigators, three are worthy of being named first: these are Christopher Columbus, James Cook and Thaddeus Faddeevich Bellingshausen (1778-1852). Peter I wrote the first lines in the history of the Russian fleet. And starting from the 18th century, Russian navigators made an outstanding contribution to both to conquer science, and in the chronicle of geographical discoveries. From adventure-filled trips around the world, they returned with new knowledge not only about our planet, but also about power human spirit. Kruzenshtern, Lisyansky, Golovnin inspired, taught and educated Bellingshausen, Kotzebue, Lazarev and Wrangel, and Lazarev brought Nakhimov and Kornilov to the sea... In the very first Russian circumnavigation under the leadership of I. F. Kruzenshtern, as a very young officer, the future famous admiral F took part . F. Bellingshausen. He became famous later when, in 1819-1821, he led an expedition that discovered Antarctica - a continent at that time no less legendary than Atlantis, a mystery continent whose very existence many doubted. Before you is a detailed travel diary that Bellingshausen kept during his famous circumnavigation. The book of F. F. Bellingshausen even today, almost 200 years after it was written, captivates the reader not only with its abundance vivid, memorable details, but also the personality of the author. Bellingshausen does not just record events - he vividly responds to everything that happened in foreign ports and on the open sea, expressively characterizes the expedition members, and writes with particular warmth about his faithful assistant - the commander of the ship "Mirny" M.P. Lazarev. This is a fascinating account of the glorious Russian sailor about the last of the greatest geographical exploits of mankind. On the sloops Vostok and Mirny, Bellingshausen and Lazarev circumnavigated Antarctica, crossed the Antarctic Circle six times, discovered many islands, and most importantly, proved that this continent is not myth, and were able to survive and return home. It is difficult to judge what was more in this enterprise - exploits or adventures - but the memory of it remained for centuries, like and the glorious names of two Russian sailors on the map of even today an incompletely explored Earth. The electronic publication includes all the texts of the paper book by F. F. Bellingshausen and basic illustrative material. But for true connoisseurs of exclusive publications, we offer a gift classic book. “Discovery of Antarctica” is an exemplary illustrated publication, approaching the level of an album. Beautiful offset paper, dozens of color and more than 300 old black and white paintings and drawings not only decorate the book - they allow the reader to literally look into the past, to see the expedition through the eyes of its participants. This edition, like all books in the Great Journeys series, is printed on beautiful offset paper and elegantly designed. Editions of the series will decorate any, even the most sophisticated libraries will be a wonderful gift for both young readers and discerning bibliophiles.