In 1906, in the ice fields northwest of Greenland Commander Robert E. Peary spotted a line of mysterious peaks looming in the distance. He called this unexplored realm "Crocker Land." Several years later George Borup and Donald MacMillan assembled a team of amateur adventurers to investigate Crocker Land. What followed was a sequence of events that trapped the explorers in a true-life adventure story, as the men endured howling blizzards, unearthly cold, food shortages, isolation, a fatal boating accident, a drunken sea captain, disease, dissension, and a horrific crime.

Introduction : "Mine by the right of discovery" -- The tenderfeet -- The best year -- "I wish I were there now" -- Commander Borup? -- A fine fellow -- The boys -- Goodbye -- A true leader -- Blocked -- Home -- Arctic living -- Reaching out -- The evil spirit -- Slaughter ground -- On the ice -- Pujoq -- Crocker Land -- Panic -- Sundown -- Mail -- The world beyond -- Disintegration -- In a Pickel -- Flight -- Discovery and disappointment -- Waiting -- Reunion and separation -- Off the map -- Last days -- No hero's welcome -- Endings -- Epilogue : Mysteries solved.