1847-

"Examine the life of Maria Beasley and her contributions to the invention of life rafts. Sidebars encourage the reader to engage in the material by asking deeper questions or conducting individual research."--Provided by publisher.

Presents a brief overview of Maria Beasley, who invented the life raft over 130 years ago. After visiting the World's Fair in 1876, and seeing the new inventions on display, she went home to develop something to keep sailors safe at sea, subsequently building the first life raft.

Contains the author's reminiscences of her life on a cattle ranch. A hairraising and spine-tingling narrative of history on the American frontier.

Reports on a soldier's life in the Army of the Confederacy, by Carlton McCarthy, later Mayor of Richmond.

A biography of John Hutchinson, a physician who worked in the Canadian wilderness in the early 1800s.