Arctic Labyrinth: The Quest For The Northwest Passage

For centuries British navigators dreamed of finding the Northwest Passage—the route above North America that would open up the wealth of Asia to British merchants. Although we now know that such passages are often choked by impassable ice, this knowledge was slowly won, as expedition after expedition, under terrible conditions, added to their scanty, sometimes fatally misleading charts. In Arctic Labyrinth, naval historian Glyn Williams tells this extraordinary story with skill and brilliance. From the tiny, woefully equipped ships of the Tudor expeditions to the icebreakers and nuclear submarines of the modern era, Williams describes the heroism, folly, and horror of these voyages, as well as lessons for future expeditions. With the shrinking of Arctic ice due to global warming, a navigable Northwest Passage will open up for the first time. An important work of exploration and naval history, Arctic Labyrinth is a remarkable study in adventure, courage, and fortitude.