Emilio Salgari was born in Verona on August 21, 1862, to a family of modest merchants. When his dream to captain his own vessel and explore the world was shattered by poor marks at a naval institute in Venice, he turned his passion for exploration and discovery to writing. He wrote more than two hundred adventure stories and novels, many of which are considered classics. Setting his tales in exotic locations, with heroes from a wide variety of cultures, Mr. Salgari used his powerful imagination to bring the wonders of the world to the doorstep of generations of readers. Arguably the best selling Italian author of all time, Emilio Salgari is virtually unknown to the English-speaking world. Yet, like his adventure-writing counterparts Jules Verne in France and Henry Rider Haggard in England, Emilio Salgari was knighted for his contribution to literature.