The Purchas handbook

the long version

"Since 1846 the Hakluyt Society has published over 200 scholarly editions of 'Voyages and Travels', these being the primary sources on the initial stages of intercontinental 'cultural encounter', as well as documents of exploratory enterprise. The present volume of essays celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Society. A general essay by one of the editors, Paul Hair, examines the set of editions for evidence of their geographical and chronological range, their scholarly editing, their ideological presuppositions, and the light that they throw on developments over the period in the nature and management of the Society."--BOOK JACKET. "Next, a series of biographical essays relates distinguished figures in the history of the Society to their immediate context within British society and British overseas activities."--BOOK JACKET. "The essays are followed by a detailed list of Hakluyt Society publications 1847-1995, and an index to the title-pages."--BOOK JACKET.