North with Franklin: The Lost Journals of James Fitzjames - Hardcover

Wilson, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1550414062 ISBN 13: 9781550414066

Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1999

Synopsis

Based on a series of letters written by Franklin expedition officer James Fitzjames -- journals which were only recently discovered in a Scottish attic after lying unsuspected for nearly 150 years -- this unique work of fiction masterfully chronicles one of the most enduring mysteries of the grand era of Arctic exploration and sheds new light on the expedition and the fate of its crew. Set against a backdrop of hardy adventurers and high Arctic imagery, this work of fiction is both an engaging story of the triumphs and tragedy of the last Franklin expedition of 1845, and are interpretation of the men and events that comprised one of the great episodes in nineteenth century exploration.

About this title

About the Author:

John Wilson is the author of ACROSS FROZEN SEAS, WEET'S QUEST, WEET, and LOST IN SPAIN. ACROSS FROZEN SEAS was shortlisted for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction. He lives in British Columbia.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

October 29, 1848 - What a sad remnant of such a glorious beginning, but we must go on. Our goal is not the glory of conquering the Northwest Passage, that has long fallen by the way. Now, perhaps the most we can hope for is that someone will live to tell our tale. That would be worthwhile. We have achieved as much as any men could and have been tricked by this treacherous place which opened a way to our goal and then cruelly closed it before and behind, trapping us in this misery. I cannot help but remember Crozier's warning, given when we were too full of hope to listen, that we must not blunder unseeing into the unknown. Well that is exactly what we have done...

About this edition

• Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1550414062
• ISBN 13: 9781550414066
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 308