Contains ten stories that feature famous explorers, fortune seekers, and daredevils, each pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and endurance. In this volume: Marco Polo, Hernn Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, Samuel de Champlain, René-Robert Cavelier (Sieur de La Salle), William Clark, Meriwether Lewis, David Livingstone, Richard Francis Burton, John Hanning Speke, Robert O'Hara Burke, William John Wills, Sven Hedin.

Includes glossary and index.

The prisoner's tale -- La noche triste -- Battle of Punta Quemada -- Fighting the Iroquois -- Mutiny -- Grizzly attack! -- Lion attack! -- The Berbera disaster -- Nine hours too late -- Lost in the desert.