Documentary and artistic research by the famous marine painter Nikolai Cherkashin takes us into the world of the polar pioneers of Russia. The first part of the book sets out in an action-packed form the history of the last great geographical discovery of the 20th century - the discovery of Severnaya Zemlya by Boris Vilkitsky's expedition. The second part is dedicated to Baron Toll's expedition to the mysterious Sannikov Land. The main character is hydrographic officer Lieutenant Alexander Kolchak, who later became the Supreme Ruler of Russia. The action of the section “The Odyssey of Captain Condor” also takes place in the Russian North - only during the Great Patriotic War. The book is illustrated with unique photographs. Some of them are published for the first time.