Books in Great Journeys Across Earth series

How did Marco Polo manage to walk across all of Asia? Why did he become a favorite of fabled Mongol ruler Kublai Khan? Why was he not recognized on his return home? More than 700 years ago, merchants grew rich trading silks, spices, and glittering jewels between Europe and East Asia. Marco Polo decided to see for himself the mysterious lands of the East, and embarked on an expedition lasting 24 years. The account of his epic journey astounded people throughout Europe. Find out how Marco Polo braved bandits, sandstorms, mountains, pirates, and deadly diseases along the Silk Road and Spice Route. Discover how he became a spy for Kublai Khan, saw treasures beyond his dreams, brought riches home to Italy, and wrote one of the greatest travel books of all time.

How many times did Captain Cook cross the Pacific? Where was he forced to turn back by walls of ice--twice? Why did he meet such a tragic end? More than 200 years ago, Captain James Cook guided his small wooden sailing ship on three truly epic voyages across uncharted oceans. As one of the world’s greatest-ever navigators and explorers, he journeyed much farther than most jet-setting travelers fly today. Discover how Cook and his crew visited lands where Europeans had never set foot. Find out how they suffered tremendous hardship at sea, yet mapped thousands of miles of strange coastlines, marveled at the customs of local people, and recorded all kinds of exotic wildlife.

When did humans first reach the South Pole? Why was there a race to get there? What discoveries did the first people to reach the Pole make? Take a journey back in time, and discover the facts behind a race that fascinated the world. It was a race between rival expeditions whose leaders both became heroes. A race in which some competitors paid the ultimate price--their lives. Find out about the difficulties the expeditions faced: the coldest temperatures on Earth, the high winds and storms, and the long distances they had to cross. Learn more about the world’s harshest environment--the Antarctic--and the brave men who battled across it in the hope of victory.

What were the dangers facing the Everest expedition? Which other countries were trying to conquer the mountain? How were Hillary and Norgay selected for the 'final push'? Travel back more than 50 years to the greatest climbing challenge in the world. Any mountaineering team that aimed to reach the top of Everest needed expert planning, the latest clothing and equipment, and terrific courage and endurance to tackle the Earth’s highest peak. Read about the problems faced by the climbers, such as deep cracks or crevasses in the ice, sheer cliffs, roaring avalanches and hurricane-force winds. Find out how the team moved their camps and supplies up the massive mountain, until two men made the dash for the top--and became global heroes.

When was the western United States still a mysterious land? Why was it important to find a water route across the continent? What did the first explorers to the West discover on their way? Take a step back in time and discover the facts behind a groundbreaking adventure: a river-based journey across the American West. Join the Corps of Discovery as they conquer treacherous waters, make peace with Native Americans, ride horseback over mountains, and become national heroes! Find out about the difficulties the expedition faced: the hungry grizzly bears, the terrifying Great Falls, the long, icy winters, and the threat of starvation. Learn more about the wild environment of the West, and the plants and animals the Corps discovered as they boldly paved the way to the Pacific Ocean.

When was the western United States still a mysterious land? Why was it important to find a water route across the continent? What did the first explorers to the West discover on their way? Take a step back in time and discover the facts behind a groundbreaking adventure: a river-based journey across the American West. Join the Corps of Discovery as they conquer treacherous waters, make peace with Native Americans, ride horseback over mountains, and become national heroes! Find out about the difficulties the expedition faced: the hungry grizzly bears, the terrifying Great Falls, the long, icy winters, and the threat of starvation. Learn more about the wild environment of the West, and the plants and animals the Corps discovered as they boldly paved the way to the Pacific Ocean.