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TERRA ARCTICA –

The Lure of the Arctic

(Paperback - 6 Oct 2010)

 

Robert D. Morritt

 

Availability

 

          This book explains the mystery of the frozen north by looking at different processes that affect the biome and habitat of the area.  Some of these processes are as follows:

 

          Bathymetry and hydrographic processes.  Geophysical interaction on the biome and habitat of the region.

 

          The process of survival, lifestyle and cultural interaction with the Inuit. European resistance to follow aboriginal habits resulting in their demise.  The success and failures of missions to the frozen North over the centuries with contemporary first-hand accounts.

 

          An ancient account of the north by Pytheas of Massilia Viking exploration together with ancient postulations of the existence of Thule also Medieval travels to the far North. We also witnessed the experiences of Sir Martin Frobisher, John Davis, James Hall, John Cunningham as well as Sir John Barrow and the ill-fated Franklin expedition.

 

          Nautical and geographical information is included of both the Northwest and the Northeast Passage and of other regions of the Arctic.  We consider modes of travel and successes and failures historically speaking, ‘more recent travelers such as a tragedy of a balloon expedition  (“The Ornen”), Fridtj of Nansen and the success of Knud Rasmusen who used indigenous methods to travel which if had been adopted by earlier would have saved many a life.

 

          The case of Floyd Bennett included. A list of Arctic explorations to date. The book is intended to give ‘cold’-comfort to the armchair traveler.