Arctic Ambitions

Captain Cook and the Northwest Passage

Robin Inglis author James K Barnett editor David L Nicandri editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:University of Washington Press

Published:2nd Mar '15

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Arctic Ambitions cover

Captain James Cook is justly famous for his explorations of the southern Pacific Ocean, but his contributions to the exploration of the northern Pacific and the Arctic are arguably equally significant. On his third and final great voyage, Cook surveyed the northwest American coast in the hopes of finding the legendary Northwest Passage. While dreams of such a passage proved illusory, Cook’s journey produced some of the finest charts, collections, and anthropological observations of his career, helped establish British relations with Russia, and opened the door to the hugely influential maritime fur trade.

Accompanying an exhibition of the same name, Arctic Ambitions: Captain Cook and the Northwest Passage sheds new light on Cook’s northern exploration. A collection of essays from an international and interdisciplinary group of scholars, the book uses artifacts, charts, and records of the encounters between Native peoples and explorers to tell the story of this remarkable voyage and its historical context. In addition to discussing Cook’s voyage itself, the book also provides new insights into Cook’s legacy and his influence on subsequent expeditions in the Pacific Northwest. Finally, the collection uses Cook’s voyage as a springboard to consider the promise and challenge of the “new north” today, demonstrating that it remains, as in Cook’s time, a unique meeting place of powerful political, cultural, economic, and environmental forces.

"True to the title, the book and the show together aspire to completely reassess Cook’s North Pacific explorations, and the volume itself—brimming with quality reproductions of period map work, expedition watercolors and later lithographs, artifacts or all description, and no fewer than eighteen separate essays by renowned experts in their respective fields—tackles the nuances of this important slice of history with integrity and vigor."

-- Jack Nisbet * Oregon Historical Quarterly *

"This book is exceptionally well designed and printed. Illustrating the text are striking reproductions of art work and maps produced by members of the expedition, especially John Webber…[A] good read. This book will appeal to readers who are new to the subject as well as experts in the field."

-- Marvin Falk * Alaska Histo

ISBN: 9780295993997

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 1996g

448 pages