Discovering nothing : in pursuit of an elusive Northwest Passage / David L. Nicandri.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nicandri, David L., 1948- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Northwest Passage--History.

Northwest Passage.

Northwest Passage--Discovery and exploration--British.

Explorers--Great Britain--History.

Explorers.

Physical Description:

xxxv, 322 pages : maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Vancouver : UBC Press, [2024]

Summary:

"The many attempts by navigators to find a Northwest Passage via its Pacific portal all ended in failure; however, their discoveries spurred expansionist developments that would forever alter the landscape of North America. In Discovering Nothing, David L. Nicandri maps a cast of geographic visionaries and practical explorers as they promoted or sought a workable commercial route linking the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. The discovery of the legendary northern passage proved elusive, but the equivalent land bridges that were built in the form of two transcontinental railroads changed the futures of Canada and the United States. Drawing from close readings of explorers' personal journals, Nicandri provides readers a detailed, engaging, and multifaceted investigation into the many players and failed enterprises at the core of this search, beginning in the eighteenth century through to today--and to the unexpected impact of climate change on this fabled passage."-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Reinventing the Northwest Passage

Dalrymple's Revenge?

Mackenzie Solves Pond's Puzzle

John Meares and the Nootka Aff air

Correcting Cook? The True Origin of the Vancouver Expedition

Vancouver's Maze

Defining the Labyrinth, Cook's Legacy, and the Delusion of the Northwest Passage

The American Response: The Lewis and Clark Expedition as Diplomatic History

Following in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark

The Canadian Dream

The Artic Quest Redux.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Nicandri, David L., 1948- Discovering nothing.

ISBN:

9780774868877

0774868872

9780774868884

0774868880

OCLC:

1399164719

Publisher Number:

99996832309