Journey to the Polar Sea
by John Franklin
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Description
First published in 1823, this book narrates the disastrous expedition undertaken by Naval officer and Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin up the Coppermine River in North America. Franklin (1786-1847) and nineteen others set out in 1819, initially with guides from the Hudson Bay Company until the journey continued overland, when they relied on Native Americans as guides. The party ran short of supplies and, lacking adequate knowledge for survival, were reduced to eating lichens. One of the show more party was suspected of eating the bodies of the nine men who had died of exposure and starvation, and two more were killed in a subsequent skirmish. The book was immediately popular on publication and quickly became a travel literature classic. Franklin undertook a second, more successful Arctic journey (the account of which is also published in this series) before setting out on his final expedition of 1845, which ended in tragedy and enduring mystery. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
waltzmn Anyone reading John Franklin's expedition notes should certainly know the rest of the history of Franklin and the search for the Northwest Passage. There are many good books on the topic; this is among my favorites.
Member Reviews
A hard read. Mosquitoes, I swamps, lakes, snow, cold, gales, starvation, murder, barran land, miles of walking. Not for me.
1. The 1829 "small edition" (24mo/pocket-sized) of John
Franklin's Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, published
by John Murray in London, often appears as a 4-volume set
combining the first (1819–22) and second (1825–27) expeditions.
These pocket editions, roughly 14cm x 9cm, are noted for
woodcut illustrations.
Included herein: four volumes, ten matted plates from the
edition bought separately from Beach Antique Maps and
Prints, Toronto in 1980/90s. Beach Antique Maps no longer in
business. Some plates still in these books.
Format: Often described as 24mo or small pocket-sized
volumes, sometimes original binding. Wilkins Auction Fall 2026
Franklin's Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, published
by John Murray in London, often appears as a 4-volume set
combining the first (1819–22) and second (1825–27) expeditions.
These pocket editions, roughly 14cm x 9cm, are noted for
woodcut illustrations.
Included herein: four volumes, ten matted plates from the
edition bought separately from Beach Antique Maps and
Prints, Toronto in 1980/90s. Beach Antique Maps no longer in
business. Some plates still in these books.
Format: Often described as 24mo or small pocket-sized
volumes, sometimes original binding. Wilkins Auction Fall 2026
Forward by captain R.F. Scott
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Author Information
8+ Works 182 Members
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Journey to the Polar Sea
- Original publication date
- 1819-1822
- People/Characters
- John Richardson; George Back; Robert Hood
- Important places
- Copper Mine River; Arctic Ocean
- Important events
- cannibalism
Classifications
- Genres
- Travel, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, Science & Nature
- DDC/MDS
- 919.804 — History & geography Geography & travel Geography of and travel in Australasia, Pacific Ocean islands, Atlantic Ocean islands, Arctic islands, Antarctica and on extraterrestrial worlds Polar regions
- LCC
- G650 — Geography, Anthropology and Recreation Geography (General) Arctic and Antarctic regions
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 145
- Popularity
- 225,023
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.92)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 46
- ASINs
- 8
