Book excerpt: The best introduction to multiethnic New World Discovery before Columbus. Nine true adventures featuring Hatshepsut, King Solomon, Xu Fu, Marco Polo, Nicholas of Lynn, Zheng He, Martin Behaim, Amerigo Vespucci, King Arthur, Queen Elizabeth, and Francis Drake. Includes first maize (Indian corn) in Egypt, early maps of America before Columbus, Roman Florida, Albertin di Virga's 1414 map of Peru and North America, ancient artifacts and faces of Old World voyagers in Mexico and Peru, and Francis Drake's amazing "clock map." Excellent coffee-table book; great for adults and young readers. Beautifully illustrated; excellent index and bibliography. A fun read that is also packed with new information about secret voyages, forbidden lands, and enigmas the pros have missed.