Prologue: The edge of the world

Part one. Europe. The great embassy ; The First Kamchatka Expedition ; The best-laid plans

Part two. Asia. St. Petersburg to Siberia ; Quarreling factions ; Phantom islands

Part three. America. Bolshaya Zemlya, the Great Land ; Curious encounters ; The scourge of the sea

Part four. Nowhere. Island of the blue foxes ; Death and playing cards ; A new St. Peter

Epilogue: Russian America.