The first major exploration of the North American continent began in Florida in April 1528. Panfilo de Narvaez led an inland expedition with 300 men. Only four survived. The courageous quartet endured an astonishing eight-year odyssey, traversing more than 3,500 miles from Florida to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. One of the survivors, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca wrote his book, the Relacion, in 1542, detailing their amazing journey. Yet, precisely where this expedition began has long been debated by researchers and historians. In this book, author James E. MacDougald provides an analysis of published research and a new investigation, finally establishing that one of America's most important historic events began in present-day St. Petersburg, on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay. Based on MacDougald's years of study, he adds a new and independent analysis, using research resources not available to many previous historians that details one of the most important Spanish expeditions in North America.

The first major exploration of the North American continent began in Florida in April 1528. Panfilo de Narvaez led an inland expedition with 300 men. Only four survived. The courageous quartet endured an astonishing eight-year odyssey, traversing more than 3,500 miles from Florida to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. One of the survivors, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca wrote his book, the Relacion, in 1542, detailing their amazing journey. Yet, precisely where this expedition began has long been debated by researchers and historians. In this book, author James E. MacDougald provides an analysis of published research and a new investigation, finally establishing that one of America's most important historic events began in present-day St. Petersburg, on the shores of Boca Ciega Bay. Based on MacDougald's years of study, he adds a new and independent analysis, using research resources not available to many previous historians that details one of the most important Spanish expeditions in North America.