Synopsis of the Cruise of the U.S. Exploring Expedition, During the Years 1838-42 (1842) : Kessinger Publishing : 9781168764232 : 1168764238 : 10 Sep 2010 : Synopsis Of The Cruise Of The U.S. Exploring Expedition, During The Years 1838-42 is a book written by Charles Wilkes. The book provides a detailed account of the four-year-long expedition undertaken by the United States Exploring Expedition, which was led by Wilkes himself. The expedition was aimed at exploring the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding regions, including the coasts of South America, Antarctica, and Australia. The book is divided into several chapters, each of which covers a specific aspect of the expedition. The first chapter provides an overview of the expedition's objectives and the preparations that were made before setting sail. The subsequent chapters detail the various locations that the expedition visited, including the Fiji Islands, Hawaii, and the Antarctic continent. Wilkes' account of the expedition is not