Tony Horwitz discusses *A Voyage Long and Strange*, in which he attempts to understand what happened in the Americas between Columbus' arrival and the Mayflower's landing on Plymouth Rock. During this time, vikings, conquistadors, French voyageurs, among others, roamed the unknown continent in search of grapes, gold, converts, and even a cure for syphilis. Though most failed to locate their treasure, their adventures and exploits left an indelible impression on those they met, peoples who would eventually come face to face with the English settlers.