Book excerpt: The story of Jason and the Argonauts and Homer’s tales of Ulysses are among the greatest ancient epics, but are they merely nautical legends or true stories? Mauricio Obregón has combed through classical texts, focusing on the smallest details, and with his intimate knowledge of historical navigation, brilliantly reenacts the voyages the ancient heroes actually traveled. Using the clues embedded in these epic tales, Obregón deftly argues that many of the legends are not merely fiction, but are, quite possibly, true adventures.