In the age of adventure, when dirigibles coasted through the air and vast swaths of the Earth remained untouched and unseen by humankind, two titans of exploration competed in the race of a lifetime: to be the first aviator to fly over the North Pole. This is their story.

Donated by John M. McCaffrey (See Bookplate).

Cast of characters -- pt. 1. The transpolar flight -- One million square miles -- Crocker/Bradley/Harris land -- Another door opens -- Peary man -- Three-way race -- Toward the lost Atlantis -- The windy place -- The sun compass -- In the midst of chaos -- pt. 2. The man in the crisp navy whites -- F.F.V. -- Marie -- Great love comes first -- Out of sight of land -- Useful -- pt. 3. The greatest story of the year -- Lighter vs. heavier -- In defense of the little jitneys -- Late entry -- The sporting element -- The soul of honor -- Viking valor -- Crossing the Delaware -- The grassy knoll of Aviation I -- The grassy knoll of Aviation II -- The blessed sun -- pt. 4. The airplane of the future -- Doctor of latitude and longitude -- Musketeers of the air -- The almost impossible -- In the hands of fate.