The spirit of exploration is alive and well in the twenty-first century. Any idea that there is nowhere left to explore is totally disproved by the adventures of the explorers showcased here. Through thirty-nine vivid, mostly first-hand accounts, we gain unique insight into what it is actually like to be on an expedition - to be dragged through the top of the rainforest canopy in an inflatable raft suspended from a balloon; to walk across fiercely inhospitable desert with your water supply running out; to inch up a sheer rock wall to conquer a summit never climbed before; to pedal a boat solo across the Pacific; to venture on the trail of fossil dinosaurs; or to stand on the edge of an erupting volcano... Here are challenging and epic journeys to some of the remotest parts of the plant in extremes of temperature and aridity, frequently alone and on the edge of danger. Dramatic photographs taken on these expeditions, often at the very moment of discovery or peril, add to the sense of adventure. From the frozen poles to the hottest deserts, from mountaintops to the depths of the oceans and underground caves, all terrains are covered. Some of the featured explorers are already celebrated internationally, others are young or less well known and just starting to make their mark; hailing from all parts of the globe, they share a common passion, courage and resilience. The Modern Explorers will inspire anyone who wants to feel the thrill of exploration and share the euphoria of these intense voyages. It also shows how exploration continues to deepen our understanding of our world and its wild places, as well as how we might preserve them for future generations.