A Long and Perilous Road: A History of the Early Conquest of the Americas: Curious Tales of Vikings, Spanish Adventurers, and Lost Colonists

In the 128 years between Columbus's first voyage in 1492 and the Pilgrims' landing in 1620, what happened on the North American continent? While visiting Plymouth Rock, which Americans regard as "the beginning of everything," Tony Horwitz realized he knew almost nothing about this period, as did most Americans. So he set out to cross the continent and rediscover the feverish age when Europeans first came here in pursuit of gold, glory, conversion, and youth.

On his epic journey, Horwitz retraces the stories of these brave, reckless explorers. A Voyage Long and Strange is a vivid blend of scholarship and modern-day adventure, bringing the forgotten opening chapters of American history into view...