This two-volume work explores the multifaceted American maritime experience, with this first volume focusing on the period from the continent's discovery through the Civil War. Published in collaboration with the National Maritime Historical Society, the book compiles primary texts and images that illuminate the age of sail across Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as inland waterways. It contextualizes these maritime events within broader American historical themes, including gender, race, power dynamics, labor, and environmental impact.

This anthology, published in cooperation with the National Maritime Historical Society, presents a curated collection of primary texts and images. Its scope covers a significant period of American maritime history, emphasizing the age of sail and its connection to broader social and historical issues. The inclusion of diverse themes such as gender, race, and labor suggests a comprehensive approach to understanding the maritime experience.