The exciting story of Aleksandr Baranov, a charismatic Russian leader, who left his family in 1790 to sail to Alaska as chief manager. Shipwrecked, he survived a harsh wilderness; motivated Aleuts to help him; married a young Native; and endured massacres, meddling priests, the Battle of Sitka and a running duel with Tlingit Chief Katlian. He built an empire and won peace with empathy, helped by his wife and teenage daughter. Alaska is part of the U.S. today, thanks largely to Baranov.