A fifty-state tour of lesser-known historical sites based on a campaign backed by "National Geographic" reveals the events that took place at near-forgotten locales.

Where to begin : starting points -- The world before us : coming to, exploring, and conserving America -- This land is my land : the dark side of expansion and growth -- Landmark cases : crimes and lawsuits that changed the nation -- Sparks : inventions and technological advancements -- Bitter pills and miracle cures : medical pioneers and discoveries -- Burial plots : forgotten graves, cemeteries, and stories about the dead -- All is not lost : finding and preserving history.