Join National Geographic archaeologists and adventurers, explorers and scientists on this thrilling jaunt through more than 125 years of research, discovery, and unforgettable photojournalism. Featuring behind-the-scenes tales and show-stopping imagery, this book captures the heart of the Society's fascinating history, from its earliest days as a scientific club to its growth into one of the world's largest geographic organizations. It's all here, from Jacques Cousteau's pioneering underwater explorations to James Cameron's recent record-breaking descent to the floor of the Mariana Trench, the oceans' deepest point. Countless other explorers and their astounding achievements through the years are documented, including Louis Leakey, Jane Goodall, Spencer Wells, and Sylvia Earle. More than 200 photos, sidebars, and fun facts accompany these amazing stories, pulling you from one adventure to the next. It's well known that National Geographic has been to the top of Mount Everest and reached the depths of the Mariana Trench, but did you know that: A 1957 National Geographic article inspired the creator of the pink plastic lawn flamingo? A National Geographic writer on assignment found the source of the Amazon River? The world-famous photo of our green-eyed Afghan girl almost never happened?