Voyages of Delusion: The Search for the North West Passage in the Age of Reason

Voyages of Delusion: The Search for the North West Passage in the Age of Reason

by Glyn Williams (Author)

Synopsis

This volume charts the 18th-century's perilous and often fatal attempts to discover a passage through the Arctic to the Pacific. It is set in the heat of the 18th-century exploration fever and charts the many perilous expeditions undertaken to find the maritime philosopher's stone from amongst the ice and Eskimos of Hudson Bay. Fuelled by the promise of fame and riches from revitalized British trade and the dominance of the North American continent, the search for this illusory passage even captivated Cook - the most pragmatic of explorers. The author examines successive expeditions from James Knight to George Vancouver. The secretive Hudson's Bay Company plays a supporting role throughout, as does Sir Arthur Dobbs whose political ambition - and obsessive pursuit of the illusory passage - relied heavily on exploitative cunning, personal greed and putting others' lives at risk. The book is based on extensive archival research and archaeological excavations which fuel the content of the book, rich in political and personal intrigue.

$4.60

Save:$16.65 (78%)

Quantity

1 in stock

More Information

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 467
Edition: FIRST EDITION
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 18 Mar 2002

ISBN 10: 0002571811
ISBN 13: 9780002571814

Media Reviews
'Remarkable... never was there a tale which joined such horror and pity, disaster and triumph, such fortitude in adversity. Glyn Williams' narrative brings out all the drama of the story.' NAM Rodger, TLS
Author Bio
Glyn Williams has been Professor of History at Queen Mary and Westfield College since 1974. His main teaching interests are the history of exploration, the history of Europe overseas, and British imperial history. He has travelled and lectured in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies. He is Emeritus Professor of the University of London. He lives in Kent.