This book defines exploration as "the expansion of knowledge and experience," enabling Polk (Egyptian Mummies) and Tiegreen (The Legend of the Villa Della Luna) to include women who were writers, pilgrims (a woman's primary mode of travel for centuries), photographers, anthropologists, scientists, aviators, astronauts, and traditional explorers in their collection of illustrated portraits. CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour exemplifies this new standard when she states in the foreword, "I am exploring the human condition rather than physical space." The majority of the 84 entries highlight Western women, although the authors have made a conscious effort to include examples of women explorers from Asia and Africa. The entries are short and contain numerous photographs, illustrations, quotations, and maps. Despite its more multicultural approach, this volume does not supersede Marion Tinling's Women into the Unknown (LJ 5/1/89) or Rebecca Stefoff's Women of the World: Women Travelers and Explorers (o.p.), which provide a much more substantial treatment of the subject. Nevertheless, Polk and Tiegreen's book, with its brief biographical sketches, is engaging and fun to skim. Recommended for public libraries. Margaret Atwater-Singer, Univ. of Evansville Libs., IN Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
