Book excerpt: People have been exploring the seas since ancient men set sail in boats made from hollowed-out tree trunks. But it wasn't until the invention of the sail that ocean travel began in earnest -- and began to change our lives. From Christopher Columbus's Santa Maria to today's extraordinarily fast yachts, ships have been a part of some of the most important moments in human history. "Fantastic Ships" is an exciting, hands-on look at ships and seafaring. The book includes pieces to build five legendary vessels: a Viking longship; the U.S.S. Constitution; the Cervia, a steam-powered tugboat; the RMS Titanic; and a Ranger J-Class Yacht. As kids create these easy-to-assemble models and look at the fascinating historical photos and creative comic strips, they'll learn about how and why these boats were so important. Every sea voyage is a chance for adventure -- and a trip through "Fantastic Ships" is the most thrilling adventure of all!