With their eyes set on distant horizons, explorers from across Europe voyaged to the New World. Some of these brave adventurers included Leif Eriksson, Sir Francis Drake, and Alexander von Humboldt. They discovered the lands that would later be known as the Americas. They were motivated by curiosity, commercial interests, or scientific inquiry. They charted previously unknown territories, encountered, and often tragically exploited, native peoples, and changed the fate of the global landscape. The stories of these trailblazers and their remarkable journeys comprise this compelling volume. Color illustrations, maps, and photographs support the fascinating biographical entries.