Celebrating the quasquicentennial anniversary of National Geographic, this is the illustrated book that explores the venerable institution's growth from a scientific club into the world's most respected geographic organization. Written by Mark Collins, former Chief Historian of the National Geographic Society's archives, the book provides rare insight into National Geographic's evolution from a magazine that served government scientists—who discouraged the use of pictures and anecdote—to a publication renowned for award-winning photojournalism and cartography. The book has 350 vibrant color images of ocean and space exploration, archaeology, mountaineering, and many other disciplines. It provides a chronological history of the publication's coverage of seminal discoveries in the realms of earth, sea, and sky from summiting Mt. Everest, landing on the moon, and discovering the sunken Titanic. Interviews with Buzz Aldrin, Jane Goodall, Bob Ballard and others provide key insight into the history and future of exploration and frontiers of research. Hardcover; 384 pages. 11" H x 9" W x 1 1/4" D. (4 lbs.)