National Geographic Timeline of American History: Exploration covers the fascinating timeline of New World exploration, going beyond the physical exploration to make sense of what the explorers encountered. Whether driven by the search for wealth, the desire to spread religion, or simply the lust to explore, many explorers visited the already-populated shores of North and South America. From Columbus to Sir Walter Ralegh to the Vikings and the Russian explorers, the timeline of adventure unfolds. Later, the dissemination of products such as the potato, tomato, tobacco, and corn make the Americas an essential part of the new world economy, and the Caribbean an international hub. The What If? section considers how history might have unfolded differently if the Native Americans had had more pets and therefore more resistance to disease, forestalling the epidemics that Columbus brought when he landed in the Americas.

National Geographic Timeline of American History: Exploration covers the fascinating timeline of New World exploration, going beyond the physical exploration to make sense of what the explorers encountered. Whether driven by the search for wealth, the desire to spread religion, or simply the lust to explore, many explorers visited the already-populated shores of North and South America. From Columbus to Sir Walter Ralegh to the Vikings and the Russian explorers, the timeline of adventure unfolds. Later, the dissemination of products such as the potato, tomato, tobacco, and corn make the Americas an essential part of the new world economy, and the Caribbean an international hub. The What If? section considers how history might have unfolded differently if the Native Americans had had more pets and therefore more resistance to disease, forestalling the epidemics that Columbus brought when he landed in the Americas. Marc Aronson is an award-winning author, editor, publisher, speaker, and historian. He holds a PhD in American History.John W. Glenn is an editor and producer of illustrated nonfiction reference books for children and adults. He has a BA in history from the University of Chicago.