It was regarded as the ultimate stunt. In 1901, a barrel plunged over the brink of Niagara Falls. On the outside was painted Queen of the Mist. Inside was a destitute 63-year-old teacher. This is the story of Annie Taylor, the woman who performed this perilous feat in the hope of reversing her fortunes. But, as this poetic narrative reveals, society did not know what to do with a mature, self-possessed heroine. Annie Taylor, as an older woman was rejected, exploited and finally eclipsed by the man who repeated her stunt ten years later.