Historians are often divided into two camps when asked to name the first person to circumnavigate the world; there are those who say Ferdinand Magellan was, while others argue the victor was Francis Drake. Readers will learn the controversies surrounding these 16th-century captains and their infamous journeys. They'll learn about the political intrigues and economic incentives to find a route and the lasting effects of the expeditions. Besides containing the thrilling accounts of Magellan's and Drake's adventures, this beguiling book's historical images, maps, sidebars, and timeline complement social studies and geography curricula.