Read what people think about The Discovery of Jeanne Baret by Glynis Ridley, and write your own review.
The Discovery of Jeanne Baret
A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe
by
Glynis Ridley
Published in USA Dec 2010,
304 pages.
Rated of 5
by Tamara S. (Wenatchee, WA) Boring
I couldnt finish this book, I lost interest, I felt like I was reading a highschool textbook.
Rated of 5
by Carolyn S. (Decatur, GA) The Discovery of Jeanne Baret Glynis Ridley
Ridley’s book about Jeanne Baret, woman herbalist, is very well researched and contains very interesting material about the day and the history of the period. I think this historical background is the strong point of the book and as interesting as the story of the young woman herself.
For a historical work, with only the facts to work with, the blanks are filled with conjecture backed up with diligent research, almost taking away from the story of Jeanne who remains a bit fuzzy with some of the other characters taking over due to the fact that no personal diaries were found for Jeanne.
Rated of 5
by Rebecca G. (havertown, pa) Great Historical Account
It wouldn't be correct to call Glynis Ridley's account of the1766 French expedition of the ships Etoile and Boudeuse a biography of Jeanne Baret. I wanted to read this book because I am fascinated by the lives of unique and unknown historical figures. It isn't what I expected; in fact, it is less biographical in relation to Baret than her mentor, Philibert Commerson. This is not a fault of the author; there is very little known about Baret. It is, however, a well researched account of the voyage with extensive botanical records, descriptions of fauna and flora of the regions encountered during the voyage, geography of places such as the Magellan Strait, and a detailed history of Paris and other regions important to the characters involved in this story. This book will be of interest to history buffs and those interested in botany and geography. To call it a biography of Jeanne Baret, however, is a little misleading.
Rated of 5
by Debra C. (Vienna, Georgia) Lost at Sea with Jeanne Baret
The very BEST parts of this novel were Chapters 8 and 9; these chapters absolutely told the story I thought I was reading - the story of Jeanne Baret...a good read. Ridley held my interest with those two chapters; however, the other chapters, although well researched and detailed, were frightfully boring. I felt as though I was reading the bio of botanist, Bougainville - not a good read. I got lost in the wealth of information that Ridley presented to me.
Rated of 5
by Mary L. (Madison, MS) A wonderful discovery
As many other reviewers have stated the story is fascinating, well researched, and contains little information on the real Jeanne Barret. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I too wish there was more information to fill in the blanks of her life but with imagination you can see the courage, bravery, and skill of this fascinating woman. I do not read nonfiction often, but I would recommend this to all readers.
Rated of 5
by Harriette K. (Weston, FL) The discovery of Jeanne Baret
We are treated to the story of Jeanne Baret, a truly gifted herb woman, who assists a noted French botanist while gathering and naming plants during a round-the world trip during the mid 1700's. We are aware of the competition between nations and the deprivations suffered on the tiny ships that take these people on their voyage. I read the story eagerly and was saddened at the lack of knowledge of Jeanne's efforts. So much is supposed. My one complaint is some of the author's repetition. Other than that, I truly enjoyed reading about this remarkable woman.
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of 5
by Tamara S. (Wenatchee, WA) 
of 5
by Carolyn S. (Decatur, GA) 
of 5
by Rebecca G. (havertown, pa) 
