Since the discovery of two of Sir John Franklin's shipwrecks, the Wraith and the Terror, in 2014 and 2016 respectively, interest in Arctic exploration has been rekindled. Among the different routes of the Arctic expedition is a shipping route from Greenland through the Arctic Islands of northern Canada to the north coast of Alaska, which is known as the Northwest Passage, which is the shortest shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the first passage to the rich East that generations of Western people dreamed of hundreds of years ago. However, for Arctic exploration, in addition to the heroic narrative of the traditional Victorian era in Britain, there are still many "untold" stories.
In Search of the Northwest Passage: An Untold History of Arctic Exploration, by Ken McGugan, translated by Ma Rui, published by Guangxi Normal University Press.
The search for the Northwest Passage, recently published by Guangxi Normal University Press, tells the story of seafaring explorers who overcome the threats of scurvy, frostbite, amputation and starvation in the wilderness and loneliness of the Arctic in the face of a short sailing window, harsh and changeable weather, rudimentary equipment, scarce hunting and their eternal enemy, ice.
Author Ken McGkugan challenges the traditional Western Victorian heroic narrative of Arctic history and brings this history back to life by delving into the roles and contributions of fur trader explorers and Indigenous peoples of Canada in this process. Discussed from the 16th century to the present day, the book covers topics such as climate change and the political wrestling associated with the Northwest Passage, and emphasizes the role of multiculturalism in the exploration of the Arctic.
In 1999, the author dragged a commemorative plaque to the John Rey Rockmark, which overlooks the Strait of Rey.
Why did the John Franklin expedition fail repeatedly?Why did Dr. John Wray succeed?Respect for the wisdom and culture of indigenous peoples, and reliance on multi-ethnic and multi-racial cooperation, are the keys to every drop of success and progress in the long history of Arctic exploration. "In Search of the Northwest Passage" tells the history of Arctic exploration, focusing on the discovery of the Northwest Passage, the most complex, mysterious and legendary shipping route in the Arctic region.
In this book, the author acts as a "time guide", recreating the 400-year history of human exploration in the Arctic with his own experience in the Arctic, his own research and rich historical materials. A great deal of attention has been paid to the influence of indigenous people and Inuit in the history of exploration, respecting the diversity of polar exploration cultures, writing about the spiritual values of humanity with a pluralistic, sincere, equal and inclusive attitude, and making a wonderful summary of almost the entire history of European exploration.
Express Explorer, now known as Ocean Explorer, is a long-distance passenger ship that frequently sails to and from the Northwest Passage.
In the long search for the Northwest Passage, there are vivid and fascinating stories of heroism and stupid and icy death. "In Search of the Northwest Passage" reveals a deep pattern that has lasted for four centuries in the history of the Arctic: the most successful white explorers are those who learn from the locals, and those who lack this spirit often pay a heavy price. Ronald Wright, author of A Brief History of Progress, commented.
In the long history of the search for the Northwest Passage, it is the encounters, acquaintances and intersections between people regardless of color and race that have reversed the crisis and created miracles at critical moments. "In Search of the Northwest Passage" is not only an untold history of Arctic exploration, but also an excavation story that challenges traditional narratives and rediscovers unsung heroes. If you want to understand the history of Arctic exploration, and even the history of Western exploration, you might want to start with this book.
Author: Photo: Provided by the publishing house Editor: Zhou Yiqian Responsible editor: Zhu Zifen.