Man Who Mapped the Arctic The Intrepid Life of George Back, Franklin's Lieutenant - Hardcover

Steele, Peter

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1551926482 ISBN 13: 9781551926483

Publisher: Raincoast Book Dist Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

In the mid-1800s, George Back went on three Arctic expeditions with Sir John Franklin across the barren lands of the Canadian north. But unlike Franklin, Back lived to tell his tales in journals, drawings, watercolors, and maps. Noted writer Peter Steele drew on these sources, along with contemporary accounts, to craft this gripping tale of resilience in the face of incredible odds.

The book thrillingly recounts the near-impossible circumstances of these expeditions — the fights with the Hudson Bay Company, rations that failed to get through, even cannibalism. Back survived these horrors to lead an exploration of the Great Fish River, now named Back River in his honor. His return upstream, hauling his handmade boat up 83 sets of rapids, is one of the greatest-ever feats of heroism and endurance.

A gifted artist and mapmaker, Back was a brave explorer forgotten by history. Steele does him belated justice with this fascinating account.

About this title

Review

"- 'A passionate and sensitive portrait.' Simon Yates, Literary Review - 'Strong narrative drive and vivid scene-setting, based on his own authentic experience, that make the whole book so enjoyable.' Stephen Venables, Daily Telegraph

Synopsis

Telling the story of George Back, this book looks at one of nature's survivors. Perhaps having learnt the art of survival at the tender age of 12 when, as a Royal Navy volunteer, he spent five years in a Napoleonic prison. Exploration of the frozen north was then beset by almost insurmountable difficulties, especially the terrible hardship of over wintering. There were rows with the Hudson's Bay Company, rations that failed to get through, ambush by Eskimos and, in extremis, there was possibly even cannibalism. But Back came through such trials and his crowning achievement was the discovery and descent of the great fish river, now named after him, the Back River. His final expedition almost led him to a watery grave off Southampton Island, but he brought his leaking ship home and lived to a ripe old age. A gifted artist and map-maker, Back was a courageous and successful explorer of one of the world's least hospitable regions, and has long been denied the limelight he deserved and would undoubtedly have enjoyed.

Edition details

• Publisher: Raincoast Book Dist Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1551926482
• ISBN 13: 9781551926483
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English