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For no good reason, I suddenly found myself wondering. Turns out we're talking FIVE STARS OUT OF FIVE seven times over.
Surely that's cause for celebration . . . as in this pic from a few years back at the John Rae plaque? Below, the details (slightly tightened):
1. I have read about everything in print regarding the Franklin expedition and this is the best so far. Critical to use the observations of the native people. Does not answer all the questions as some just can not be answered at this time due to lack of information. Looks like there will always be some mystery about Franklin. Essential for placing Franklin, Rae, etc. in context.
2. Great book!
Nothing to not like.
3. High Quality! Perfect.
4. At last, credit where credit is due
In this, his fifth and by far best book on Arctic history, Ken McGoogan examines an aspect that has been largely ignored: the contributions of the indigenous peoples to the many expeditions. At last, credit is being given where credit is due. I doubt that very many people, outside of the First Nations and scholarly communities, have any idea who these personalities are. Now the general public gets to meet Thanadelthur, Matonabbee, John Sakeouse, Akaitcho, William Ouligbuck Senior and Junior, Thomas Mistegan, Hans Henrik Suersaq, Tookoolito and Ebierbing, Tulugaq, Minik and Albert One-eye, as well as modern Inuit such as historian Louie Kamookak.
In an even handed manner, McGoogan also acknowledges those western explorers who recognized the value of native experience and adopted their ways, including Samuel Hearne, John Rae, Elisha Kent Kane, Charles Francis Hall, Frederick Schwatka and Roald Amundsen. Those expecting a politically correct, revisionist treatment of the subject will be sorely disappointed; this is a clear eyed, level headed assessment of lessons learned and passed on by the indigenous peoples to the strangers passing through, and the outcomes of the use the latter made of them, good or ill. . . . .
Ken McGoogan has presented an insightful and unbiased record of the exploration of the Far North from 1576 right up to the present, highlighting the tremendous contributions made by the native peoples to those efforts.
5. Comprehensive history of Arctic exploration.
I found this book to be quite interesting and well written. Not having heard of author Ken McGoogan before, I was unsure what the quality of the writing would be; I was very pleasantly surprised. The book jacket summarizes the book well. If Arctic exploration or the history of the far north at all interests you, I can recommend "Dead Reckoning".
I have my local newspaper to thank for printing a book review of this along with their recommended books for 2018 about Alaska and the North. Thank you, "Fairbanks Daily News-Miner" for the tip, the book should be a winner for my book club!
6. Fabulous story that ties all the loose ends of the Franklin Expedition together!!
7. Good read. Thoroughly enjoyed
3. High Quality! Perfect.
4. At last, credit where credit is due
In this, his fifth and by far best book on Arctic history, Ken McGoogan examines an aspect that has been largely ignored: the contributions of the indigenous peoples to the many expeditions. At last, credit is being given where credit is due. I doubt that very many people, outside of the First Nations and scholarly communities, have any idea who these personalities are. Now the general public gets to meet Thanadelthur, Matonabbee, John Sakeouse, Akaitcho, William Ouligbuck Senior and Junior, Thomas Mistegan, Hans Henrik Suersaq, Tookoolito and Ebierbing, Tulugaq, Minik and Albert One-eye, as well as modern Inuit such as historian Louie Kamookak.
In an even handed manner, McGoogan also acknowledges those western explorers who recognized the value of native experience and adopted their ways, including Samuel Hearne, John Rae, Elisha Kent Kane, Charles Francis Hall, Frederick Schwatka and Roald Amundsen. Those expecting a politically correct, revisionist treatment of the subject will be sorely disappointed; this is a clear eyed, level headed assessment of lessons learned and passed on by the indigenous peoples to the strangers passing through, and the outcomes of the use the latter made of them, good or ill. . . . .
Ken McGoogan has presented an insightful and unbiased record of the exploration of the Far North from 1576 right up to the present, highlighting the tremendous contributions made by the native peoples to those efforts.
I found this book to be quite interesting and well written. Not having heard of author Ken McGoogan before, I was unsure what the quality of the writing would be; I was very pleasantly surprised. The book jacket summarizes the book well. If Arctic exploration or the history of the far north at all interests you, I can recommend "Dead Reckoning".
I have my local newspaper to thank for printing a book review of this along with their recommended books for 2018 about Alaska and the North. Thank you, "Fairbanks Daily News-Miner" for the tip, the book should be a winner for my book club!
6. Fabulous story that ties all the loose ends of the Franklin Expedition together!!
7. Good read. Thoroughly enjoyed
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