The book opens by examining the paradox of the earth's so-called unproductive lands, arguing that deserts, mountain barriers, and frozen wastes are vital to the planetary balance. The author surveys the arid American Southwest, detailing the mineral wealth of Nevada and the remarkable reclamation of the Colorado Desert through massive irrigation projects like the Imperial Valley. A detailed account is given of the perilous exploration of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River and the construction of the Roosevelt Dam in Arizona.
Shifting north, the narrative explores the volcanic wonders of Yellowstone National Park, tracing its history from early frontier accounts to its establishment as a public reserve. The work then delves into paleontology, describing the discovery of prehistoric reptile graveyards in Wyoming and petrified forests in Arizona. The harsh and forbidding landscape of Death Valley is examined next, recounting the tragic history of the 1849 emigrants and the rise of the borax industry.
The author crosses the Andes to explore the historic silver mines of Potosi, the rich nitrate fields of the Atacama Desert, and the engineering marvels of the Oroya Railroad in Peru. Moving to the Eurasian continent, the text details the Russian conquest of Siberia driven by the fur trade, the agricultural promise of the black-earth region, and the religious seclusion of Tibet. A chapter is dedicated to Arabia, portraying the life of the Bedouin, the trade in Mocha coffee, and the sacred pilgrimage to Mecca.
The vast and arid expanse of the Sahara is analyzed in terms of its climate, the utility of the camel, and the potential of artesian well reclamation. The narrative then chronicles the dramatic history of polar exploration, covering the quests for the Northwest Passage, the heroic trials of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated expedition, and the eventual triumph of Robert E. Peary in reaching the North Pole, alongside similar accounts of Antarctic research.
Concluding with descriptions of Iceland and Greenland, the work highlights the resilient cultures of their inhabitants and the geological forces that shaped them. The journey ends in the rugged southern extremity of South America, detailing the growth of sheep-farming in Patagonia and the strategic importance of Punta Arenas. Throughout, the text emphasizes the interplay between harsh environments and human enterprise, demonstrating how seemingly worthless wastes contribute fundamentally to the wealth of the world.
