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Dead Reckoning: The Untold Story of the Northwest Passage
With this book—his most ambitious yet—Ken McGoogan delivers a vivid, comprehensive recasting of Arctic-exploration history. Dead Reckoning challenges the conventional narrative, which emerged out of Victorian England and focused almost exclusively on Royal Navy officers. By integrating non-British and fur-trade explorers and, above all, Canada’s indigenous peoples, this work brings the story of Arctic discovery into the twenty-first century. Orthodox history celebrates such naval figures as John Franklin, Edward Parry and James Clark Ross. Dead Reckoning tells their stories, but the book also encompasses such forgotten heroes as Thanadelthur, Akaitcho, Tattanoeuck, Ouligbuck, Tookoolito and Ebierbing, to name just a few. Without the assistance of the Inuit, Franklin’s recently discovered ships, Erebus and Terror , would still be lying undiscovered at the bottom of the polar sea. The book ranges from the sixteenth century to the present day, looks at climate change and the politics of the Northwest Passage, and recognizes the cultural diversity of a centuries-old quest. Informed by the author’s own voyages and researches in the Arctic, and illustrated throughout, Dead Reckoning is a colourful, multi-dimensional saga that demolishes myths, exposes pretenders and celebrates unsung heroes. For international readers, it sets out a new story of Arctic discovery. For Canadians, it brings that story home.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published September 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 21, 2020
Review originally posted 20 April 2020 Falling Letters.
Ken McGoogan writes popular non-fiction on Canadian topics, including the history of northern exploration. This is the first of his books I’ve read. I have a little flame of interest in Arctic exploration (which mostly manifests in reading about the Karluk disaster) that I like to fan every now and then. Dead Reckoning caught my eye because it was an up-to-date and comprehensive look at the history of the Northwest Passage search.
McGoogan draws from his previous books, which go in-depth into the lives of key figures in Arctic exploration (Elisha Kent Kane, John Rae, Jane Franklin). If you already have familiarity with his books or with Northwest Passage exploration, you may find Dead Reckoning repetitive. But it’s a great place to start learning. McGoogan offers a fresh and modern perspective, tying together events from as far back as the early 17th century. The final chapters address the 2014 and 2016 discoveries of Franklin’s ships. He challenges some of the traditionally popular narratives. He gives proper attention to Indigenous and Inuit involvement, often overlooked in these types of accounts. McGoogan achieves his goal of crafting a more comprehensive and balanced narrative than any before.
For a more comprehensive review, see Canada’s History.
***
Original thoughts (Aug. 3 2018): I can't believe this book only has 30 ratings! Does that mean not everyone is as fascinated by Arctic exploration as I am?? Well, maybe I can sway more people to read it with a RTC.
Ken McGoogan writes popular non-fiction on Canadian topics, including the history of northern exploration. This is the first of his books I’ve read. I have a little flame of interest in Arctic exploration (which mostly manifests in reading about the Karluk disaster) that I like to fan every now and then. Dead Reckoning caught my eye because it was an up-to-date and comprehensive look at the history of the Northwest Passage search.
McGoogan draws from his previous books, which go in-depth into the lives of key figures in Arctic exploration (Elisha Kent Kane, John Rae, Jane Franklin). If you already have familiarity with his books or with Northwest Passage exploration, you may find Dead Reckoning repetitive. But it’s a great place to start learning. McGoogan offers a fresh and modern perspective, tying together events from as far back as the early 17th century. The final chapters address the 2014 and 2016 discoveries of Franklin’s ships. He challenges some of the traditionally popular narratives. He gives proper attention to Indigenous and Inuit involvement, often overlooked in these types of accounts. McGoogan achieves his goal of crafting a more comprehensive and balanced narrative than any before.
For a more comprehensive review, see Canada’s History.
***
Original thoughts (Aug. 3 2018): I can't believe this book only has 30 ratings! Does that mean not everyone is as fascinated by Arctic exploration as I am?? Well, maybe I can sway more people to read it with a RTC.
March 6, 2020
I love books that challenge conventional history, and this was no exception. It was a tour de force of information at times, but I was glad to see native Inuit getting the recognition they deserve for the part they played in piecing together the puzzle of the Northwest Passage.
October 6, 2021
Having read McGoogan's Fatal Passage years ago, it was great to dig into this effort which sets out to honour well and little known Northwest Passage explorers and adventurers. I have read everything I could get my hands on concerning the Franklin Expedition and was torn when the two ships were discovered. I preferred the mystery and speculation (and Dan Simmon's The Terror too).
This book is both an education and a heart pumping thriller. The characters jump off the page and you feel as if you are on the ships, shores and ice with them. In fact, I read about fifty pages and rose to replenish my beverage and felt that I had sea legs (okay, it was the gin).
I had completely forgotten that Henry Hudson was set adrift by mutineers along with his young son. Or how Martin Frobisher was so driven that he cared little for his crew or the Inuit he encountered (this was true of many from the British Admiralty). The tale of Jens Munk's crew dying from trichinosis, stemming from eating raw polar bear meat is fascinating. The men had shot and killed the bear in 1619 near present day Churchill, Manitoba.
McGoogan serves up more of the Franklin story, in fact, the majority of the book focuses on the Franklin legacy. He also weaves in Hudson Bay Company lore (which I love), and introduces the reader to Inuit individuals like Matonabbee, Tulugaq, Tattannoeuck and Tookoolito. Instead of being faceless "natives", we learn of their incredible contributions. I appreciated learning about the gentle but capable, John Sakeouse.
Franklin is introduced by telling the story of his first overland expedition. The author spares no criticism. The man was ill-prepared, out of shape in a comically pudgy kind of way, and derided locals who could have taught him tons. Further, he was uninventive, conventional to the point of dangerous, stubborn and egotistical. McGoogan does a great job establishing Franklin as the poster child for everything wrong with British imperialism. Franklin is Colonel Blimp.
On this overland venture, the accompanying voyageurs each lugged 90 pounds of gear while the British members carried little. This expedition almost starved to death and, upon entering an empty fort, chewed the deerskin curtains for sustenance. There is even a story of strange foreshadowing of the Franklin Expedition involving cannibalism. Just nine of twenty survived and that was due to Yellowknife Indians who were hardly acknowledged for their efforts.
This set Franklin’s course, so to speak. He was celebrated in England as “the man who ate his boots”, was promoted to Captain, and hailed as a great leader given just one who died was British and the rest were voyageurs. The press and public saw this as proving Britain’s strength. In fact, the voyageurs died because they did all the heavy lifting, figuratively and literally. Franklin’s second overland expedition would have been doomed had it not been for the courage of Tattannoeuck. None of this impacted Franklin’s career.
In my career, I have consulted to both HbC and The North West Company. As a Winnipegger, their histories are inseparable from the city and province. Years back, I served on the board of The Manitoba Museum, previously the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature. I remember being approached and was quickly convinced when a curator showed me a tea service from an expedition. The museum houses the HbC Collection.
I will not spoil the last half of the book which tells the Franklin tale and substantiates Inuit accounts and compares it to the physical evidence now that the ships have been discovered. I will say, McGoogan rightfully goes after Lady Franklin and the Admiralty for its propaganda campaign to promote the stature of Franklin. They used 21st Century spin in the 19th Century. A fascinating book that reflects the author’s passion and dedication to the topic.
This book is both an education and a heart pumping thriller. The characters jump off the page and you feel as if you are on the ships, shores and ice with them. In fact, I read about fifty pages and rose to replenish my beverage and felt that I had sea legs (okay, it was the gin).
I had completely forgotten that Henry Hudson was set adrift by mutineers along with his young son. Or how Martin Frobisher was so driven that he cared little for his crew or the Inuit he encountered (this was true of many from the British Admiralty). The tale of Jens Munk's crew dying from trichinosis, stemming from eating raw polar bear meat is fascinating. The men had shot and killed the bear in 1619 near present day Churchill, Manitoba.
McGoogan serves up more of the Franklin story, in fact, the majority of the book focuses on the Franklin legacy. He also weaves in Hudson Bay Company lore (which I love), and introduces the reader to Inuit individuals like Matonabbee, Tulugaq, Tattannoeuck and Tookoolito. Instead of being faceless "natives", we learn of their incredible contributions. I appreciated learning about the gentle but capable, John Sakeouse.
Franklin is introduced by telling the story of his first overland expedition. The author spares no criticism. The man was ill-prepared, out of shape in a comically pudgy kind of way, and derided locals who could have taught him tons. Further, he was uninventive, conventional to the point of dangerous, stubborn and egotistical. McGoogan does a great job establishing Franklin as the poster child for everything wrong with British imperialism. Franklin is Colonel Blimp.
On this overland venture, the accompanying voyageurs each lugged 90 pounds of gear while the British members carried little. This expedition almost starved to death and, upon entering an empty fort, chewed the deerskin curtains for sustenance. There is even a story of strange foreshadowing of the Franklin Expedition involving cannibalism. Just nine of twenty survived and that was due to Yellowknife Indians who were hardly acknowledged for their efforts.
This set Franklin’s course, so to speak. He was celebrated in England as “the man who ate his boots”, was promoted to Captain, and hailed as a great leader given just one who died was British and the rest were voyageurs. The press and public saw this as proving Britain’s strength. In fact, the voyageurs died because they did all the heavy lifting, figuratively and literally. Franklin’s second overland expedition would have been doomed had it not been for the courage of Tattannoeuck. None of this impacted Franklin’s career.
In my career, I have consulted to both HbC and The North West Company. As a Winnipegger, their histories are inseparable from the city and province. Years back, I served on the board of The Manitoba Museum, previously the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature. I remember being approached and was quickly convinced when a curator showed me a tea service from an expedition. The museum houses the HbC Collection.
I will not spoil the last half of the book which tells the Franklin tale and substantiates Inuit accounts and compares it to the physical evidence now that the ships have been discovered. I will say, McGoogan rightfully goes after Lady Franklin and the Admiralty for its propaganda campaign to promote the stature of Franklin. They used 21st Century spin in the 19th Century. A fascinating book that reflects the author’s passion and dedication to the topic.
December 12, 2020
Being impressed by some of McGoogan’s earlier books, in particular Lady Franklin’s Revenge, I was very disappointed by his Dead Reckoning. I am wary of subtitles like “The Untold Story”, and in fact there is little new here that isn’t a retelling of many of the expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage. The emphasis in the retelling is highlighting the significant and often vital roles undertaken by the Indigenous Peoples something that has been largely but not always overlooked by other authors. The main narrative of the book concludes with a very useful summary of the events leading to the loss of the ships "Erebus" and "Terror" and their crews in light of the recent archaeological finds. But this is followed by an Epilogue which is little more than a diatribe against certain people who oppose his views.
This tirade is unfortunate, leaving a bitter taste in an otherwise quite readable book and makes one wonder if this unnecessary afterword was, in fact, one of the author’s aims. There is an unusual and large number of factual errors in his narrative suggesting that the author is operating out of his comfort zone. Some of these are fairly trivial but given that there no are references and footnotes opens the way for exaggeration and misrepresentation. Here are some examples:
P.9. (on the very first page of the narrative): “The Dorset crossed the Bering Land Bridge around 500 BC…” In fact, the land bridge was submerged by about 11,000 years ago.
P.76. “The Ilulissat Icefjord . . . . spawns the largest iceberg in the world.” Obviously, the author hasn’t heard of Antarctica where the biggest of the Arctic bergs would be dwarfed in comparison.
p.86. “Early in June, Edward Parry took a dozen men …. Spent two weeks hauling a handcart …. along the coast of Melville Island.” In fact, the journey was across the island from south to north and back again made all the more notable as the wheel tracks can still be seen to this day.
p.187. “Later, as the cold and continuous darkness took hold, . . .” As Fort Hope – Repulse Bay lie exactly on the Arctic Circle there would be no continuous darkness. There would be one day, depending on the surrounding terrain, that the sun would not rise above the horizon, so there always would be a few hours of light even on the shortest day. He makes a similar error on pp.258-9 saying “November brought sunny weather..”, while “..February proved the harshest month of all . . . and the sun never rising above the horizon.” How come that November, a month before the solstice and shortest day should be sunny, while February, two months after the solstice should never see the light of day??
p. 379. Two errors on one page. “… Ilulissat, formerly known as Jacobshaven, faces east towards Disko island, …” A simple east – west confusion there. But then goes on to say the glacier spawned the iceberg that sank the "Titanic"! Pure wishful thinking!! Yes, there has been some clever mathematical modeling suggesting that an iceberg from the glacier could have made it down to the Grand Banks at the time but to say categorically that was the case is just sheer nonsense as it can never be proven.
p.381. “…. Explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who had set out from Ilulissat on one of his expedition.” This is an example where references and footnotes would be most useful as, to my knowledge, Nansen never set foot anywhere near Ilulissat. Likely McGoogan is confusing an expedition here with Nansen’s east-west crossing of the Greenland Ice Sheet which ended at Godthab (present day Nuuk) much further south.
These were the errors obvious to me. I am sure there are many others. Given the number and the sour notes of the epilogue I find it hard to recommend this book, and anticipating the book while at bargain pricing as a Xmas gift to some of my Arctic buddies I soon changed my mind.
This tirade is unfortunate, leaving a bitter taste in an otherwise quite readable book and makes one wonder if this unnecessary afterword was, in fact, one of the author’s aims. There is an unusual and large number of factual errors in his narrative suggesting that the author is operating out of his comfort zone. Some of these are fairly trivial but given that there no are references and footnotes opens the way for exaggeration and misrepresentation. Here are some examples:
P.9. (on the very first page of the narrative): “The Dorset crossed the Bering Land Bridge around 500 BC…” In fact, the land bridge was submerged by about 11,000 years ago.
P.76. “The Ilulissat Icefjord . . . . spawns the largest iceberg in the world.” Obviously, the author hasn’t heard of Antarctica where the biggest of the Arctic bergs would be dwarfed in comparison.
p.86. “Early in June, Edward Parry took a dozen men …. Spent two weeks hauling a handcart …. along the coast of Melville Island.” In fact, the journey was across the island from south to north and back again made all the more notable as the wheel tracks can still be seen to this day.
p.187. “Later, as the cold and continuous darkness took hold, . . .” As Fort Hope – Repulse Bay lie exactly on the Arctic Circle there would be no continuous darkness. There would be one day, depending on the surrounding terrain, that the sun would not rise above the horizon, so there always would be a few hours of light even on the shortest day. He makes a similar error on pp.258-9 saying “November brought sunny weather..”, while “..February proved the harshest month of all . . . and the sun never rising above the horizon.” How come that November, a month before the solstice and shortest day should be sunny, while February, two months after the solstice should never see the light of day??
p. 379. Two errors on one page. “… Ilulissat, formerly known as Jacobshaven, faces east towards Disko island, …” A simple east – west confusion there. But then goes on to say the glacier spawned the iceberg that sank the "Titanic"! Pure wishful thinking!! Yes, there has been some clever mathematical modeling suggesting that an iceberg from the glacier could have made it down to the Grand Banks at the time but to say categorically that was the case is just sheer nonsense as it can never be proven.
p.381. “…. Explorer Fridtjof Nansen, who had set out from Ilulissat on one of his expedition.” This is an example where references and footnotes would be most useful as, to my knowledge, Nansen never set foot anywhere near Ilulissat. Likely McGoogan is confusing an expedition here with Nansen’s east-west crossing of the Greenland Ice Sheet which ended at Godthab (present day Nuuk) much further south.
These were the errors obvious to me. I am sure there are many others. Given the number and the sour notes of the epilogue I find it hard to recommend this book, and anticipating the book while at bargain pricing as a Xmas gift to some of my Arctic buddies I soon changed my mind.
January 2, 2020
Great story about the exploration of the arctic and British history.
June 30, 2022
I fully admit that I knew next to nothing about the exploration of the arctic, so this book provides a wide-ranging and comprehensive look at explorers and their travels, focusing on the search for the NW Passage, but also covering efforts to understand magnetism and to map unknown regions. I really appreciated McGoogan's efforts to include and recognize the critical role that indigenous individuals played in so many expeditions, and how the success of European explorers so often hinged on how willing they were to listen to them and adapt. There's also a lengthy and fascinating section on the Franklin expedition and subsequent rescue missions that totally upends the Victorian narrative of heroic explorers. The ending felt a bit rushed and I desperately wanted more and better quality maps, but I learned a lot and I'm glad I read it.
July 29, 2022
The subtitle is a bit of a misnomer: The story of the search for the Northwest Passage has been told over and over again, always with a different perspective, in fiction as well as fact. This is an overview of the history, with rather too much emphasis on the Franklin expedition. There is an emphasis on the contributions of indigenous people, which is quite refreshing.
December 14, 2020
Ken McGoogan's most ambitious book yet, a very readable, comprehensive history of Arctic exploration from the 16th century to the present, and from Norway to Alaska, with particular attention to the very notable (and sometimes life-saving) contributions of Inuit and First Nations persons to the efforts of the Kabloonas (white men). And even now there is still the clinging to Victorian insistence on the primacy of John Franklin and the refusal to acknowledge the accomplishments of John Rae, so vilified by Jane, Lady Franklin, and Charles Dickens. An excellent read for anyone interested in the North and its history. I would have given it five stars if a timeline and more usable maps had been included.
October 24, 2017
In his 5th book about the North, McGoogan gives us a concise history of Arctic exploration. He is a clear writer and a good story-teller - this history often reads like a novel.
My one complaint is that there is not a decent map. I saw McGoogan speak, and he was pleased to have simplifyed the flyleaf maps to show just the 3 voyages that demarcated the Northwest Passage, but very few geographical features are labelled. There are other maps included within the book, but they seem to be after-thoughts, they are not referred to in the text, the fonts are often too small to be read, and there is no index of maps to indicate they are there. I often felt as lost as Franklin.
My one complaint is that there is not a decent map. I saw McGoogan speak, and he was pleased to have simplifyed the flyleaf maps to show just the 3 voyages that demarcated the Northwest Passage, but very few geographical features are labelled. There are other maps included within the book, but they seem to be after-thoughts, they are not referred to in the text, the fonts are often too small to be read, and there is no index of maps to indicate they are there. I often felt as lost as Franklin.
March 27, 2024
"Dead Reckoning" by Ken McGoogan is a captivating masterpiece that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the gripping tale of John Rae, a Scottish explorer whose remarkable achievements have long been overshadowed by controversy and historical neglect. McGoogan's meticulous research and engaging narrative style breathe life into Rae's adventures, painting a vivid portrait of a man ahead of his time.
From the icy expanses of the Arctic to the bustling streets of Victorian London, McGoogan skillfully navigates through the complexities of Rae's life, unveiling the intricacies of his character and the challenges he faced. Through meticulous attention to detail, the author transports readers to the heart of 19th-century exploration, where courage and determination clashed with the politics of the day.
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in McGoogan's ability to humanize Rae, presenting him not as a distant historical figure, but as a flesh-and-blood individual with dreams, flaws, and triumphs. Through his words, Rae emerges as a multifaceted protagonist, driven by a relentless pursuit of truth and justice in the face of adversity.
Moreover, "Dead Reckoning" sheds light on the controversy surrounding Rae's discoveries, particularly his role in unraveling the fate of the Franklin expedition. McGoogan meticulously examines the historical record, challenging prevailing narratives and offering fresh insights into Rae's contributions to Arctic exploration.
Beyond its historical significance, "Dead Reckoning" also serves as a powerful commentary on the enduring legacy of colonialism and the ways in which history has been shaped by prejudice and misinformation. By shining a spotlight on Rae's overlooked achievements, McGoogan invites readers to reconsider long-held assumptions and embrace a more nuanced understanding of the past.
In addition to its compelling narrative, "Dead Reckoning" is enriched by McGoogan's eloquent prose and vivid descriptions, which transport readers to the unforgiving landscapes of the Arctic and the opulent salons of Victorian society. Whether recounting harrowing tales of survival or delving into the intricacies of 19th-century politics, the author's writing captivates from start to finish.
Overall, "Dead Reckoning" is a tour de force of historical storytelling, offering readers a captivating glimpse into the life and legacy of John Rae. With its richly drawn characters, meticulous research, and thought-provoking insights, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who ventures into its pages. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted tale of courage and discovery.
From the icy expanses of the Arctic to the bustling streets of Victorian London, McGoogan skillfully navigates through the complexities of Rae's life, unveiling the intricacies of his character and the challenges he faced. Through meticulous attention to detail, the author transports readers to the heart of 19th-century exploration, where courage and determination clashed with the politics of the day.
One of the book's greatest strengths lies in McGoogan's ability to humanize Rae, presenting him not as a distant historical figure, but as a flesh-and-blood individual with dreams, flaws, and triumphs. Through his words, Rae emerges as a multifaceted protagonist, driven by a relentless pursuit of truth and justice in the face of adversity.
Moreover, "Dead Reckoning" sheds light on the controversy surrounding Rae's discoveries, particularly his role in unraveling the fate of the Franklin expedition. McGoogan meticulously examines the historical record, challenging prevailing narratives and offering fresh insights into Rae's contributions to Arctic exploration.
Beyond its historical significance, "Dead Reckoning" also serves as a powerful commentary on the enduring legacy of colonialism and the ways in which history has been shaped by prejudice and misinformation. By shining a spotlight on Rae's overlooked achievements, McGoogan invites readers to reconsider long-held assumptions and embrace a more nuanced understanding of the past.
In addition to its compelling narrative, "Dead Reckoning" is enriched by McGoogan's eloquent prose and vivid descriptions, which transport readers to the unforgiving landscapes of the Arctic and the opulent salons of Victorian society. Whether recounting harrowing tales of survival or delving into the intricacies of 19th-century politics, the author's writing captivates from start to finish.
Overall, "Dead Reckoning" is a tour de force of historical storytelling, offering readers a captivating glimpse into the life and legacy of John Rae. With its richly drawn characters, meticulous research, and thought-provoking insights, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who ventures into its pages. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted tale of courage and discovery.
February 15, 2019
This book is incredibly written and a mass of information and people from our history. This is a history that was never properly touched on during school but most certainly should be. The first approximately 175 pages are (to be honest) a long read. There is so much specific information with so many people, places, dates and specific distances travelled that it's overwhelming. Its understandable when you are fitting 250 years of exploration into those 170ish pages. However, once the book gets into the search for the lost Franklin expedition it's a slower pace through history making for a very interesting read. The searches also bring back to the pages, many individuals and locations from previous expeditions, which makes the rest of the book easier to read. With hindsight, its amazing and a bit heartbreaking how close they were to locating the last survivors. While this book is "The Untold Story of the NW Passage" it felt like that in the first 1/3 and the rest of the book feels more like a book on Franklin, his wifes unending ambition and the searches for him. Don't get me wrong, this last 2/3 was the most interesting for me and I'm glad it was part of the book. There was also a massive amount of discovery and mapping done during the searches which is obviously central to the books idea. However, reading the book, I forgot that it's wasn't just a book about the Franklin expedition and ensuing searches. This book could probably benefit from a second read because I'm sure the first part would feel less overwhelming once the locations feel familiar, as they do by the end.
November 20, 2019
There is so much about this book I enjoyed. It was well paced, expertly researched and the content was captivating.
I appreciated how much time McGoogan spent on the lives of the Canadian Indigenous; those that took part in expeditions, saved the lives of European explorers, shared their homes, ways of life and survival skills and provided flawless testimony that lead to the discovery of the Franklin expedition.
My one qualm is that McGoogan only dedicated 9 pages total to Amunsden, the first explorer to ever cross the northwest passage from one sea to the other. A remarkable feat. I wanted more information and detail about how he did it, what his experience was like, what accolades he received, etc. I was shocked Amunsden received so little page time.
It seems like McGoogan is infatuated with the lost Franklin Expedition/Lady Franklin - which is what a large portion of the book focused on (though incredibly fascinating content).
Overall, I appreciated the time he gave to other Arctic/Northwest Passage explorer - particularly that of John Rae and the validation he deserved. Gripping read!
I appreciated how much time McGoogan spent on the lives of the Canadian Indigenous; those that took part in expeditions, saved the lives of European explorers, shared their homes, ways of life and survival skills and provided flawless testimony that lead to the discovery of the Franklin expedition.
My one qualm is that McGoogan only dedicated 9 pages total to Amunsden, the first explorer to ever cross the northwest passage from one sea to the other. A remarkable feat. I wanted more information and detail about how he did it, what his experience was like, what accolades he received, etc. I was shocked Amunsden received so little page time.
It seems like McGoogan is infatuated with the lost Franklin Expedition/Lady Franklin - which is what a large portion of the book focused on (though incredibly fascinating content).
Overall, I appreciated the time he gave to other Arctic/Northwest Passage explorer - particularly that of John Rae and the validation he deserved. Gripping read!
February 3, 2022
A great book to begin with on Arctic history if you are unfamiliar with many of the names. Those that have studied Arctic exploration and history will notice all the familiar names. But, this is not a book about those names that have been glamorized (although there is plenty enough material to get a look into them), this is about those names, that without, these explorers would not have been able to accomplish the things they done. Many paid the price for that.
Th indigenous peoples are the heart of this story. Those that respected and chose to learn from them were always the most successful. Our former history books never portrayed the importance of this and those directly involved. Nations who thought they were above this group of people never gave them the respect deserved. This is a people who know how to successfuly live and survive in these extreme circumstances. Amundsen is one of the big names that understood this and lived and learned amonst them. McGoogan interweaves the names of many of these people, whom without, success would have been impossible.
An enjoyable book, finally giving respect to those who helped to make these discoveries possible.
Th indigenous peoples are the heart of this story. Those that respected and chose to learn from them were always the most successful. Our former history books never portrayed the importance of this and those directly involved. Nations who thought they were above this group of people never gave them the respect deserved. This is a people who know how to successfuly live and survive in these extreme circumstances. Amundsen is one of the big names that understood this and lived and learned amonst them. McGoogan interweaves the names of many of these people, whom without, success would have been impossible.
An enjoyable book, finally giving respect to those who helped to make these discoveries possible.
September 21, 2020
Dead Reckoning: The Untold Story of the Northwest Passage
History, it is said, is written by the victors. This assumes history is mostly about battles and wars and that the victors were literate and had access to publishers of course. Or climbing tall mountains. This exceptionally well-written book is an overview of a numerous European and American attempts to find the Northwest Passage through the Arctic Ocean during the short Canadian summers. Canadian author and historian Ken McGoogan has written at least four other in-depth books about this quest, notably Ancient Mariner, Lady Franklin's Revenge, Race to the Polar Sea and Fatal Passage.
In this book, he illuminates the often life-saving contributions of indigenous men and women who kept the explorers alive and heading in the right direction while they were mapping the convoluted Arctic shorelines. He also shows what happens to white Europeans like Orkney-born Dr. John Rae who were not well-connected in the English class system unlike Lady Franklin, a relentless public relations firm on behalf of her famously inept husband whose two expeditions to the Arctic resulted in the loss of half his crew the first time out and the entire crew including himself on his last catastrophic voyage. Yet the Canadian Coast Guard recently chose to name a new ship the Lord Franklin not the Dr. John Rae, never mind the Ouligbuck or the Matonabbee or the Tookoolito.
Here we are privy to the massive amount of work involved in mounting expeditions at sea and overland and the absolutely critical advice, plus the basics of food, shelter and clothing, provided by indigenous guides from Greenland to the inhospitable Barrens of what is now the Canadian sub-arctic. The descriptions of the overland treks in particular made my own feet freeze in response! And I very much appreciated the accounts of how the explorers prepared for winter in their ice-locked ships with the more perceptive captains setting up lending libraries and the crews putting on musicals and other entertainments for each other to get through the long dark winters. Just wonderful reading and a welcome respite from the heartbreaking tragedies within these pages as well.
Highly recommended for armchair adventurers and exploration history fans. I've been going through an Arctic phase myself and have been reading about Vitus Bering and Georg Stellar, both on the Russian end of the Northwest Passage. Someday perhaps I will voyage down the Passage, a long-held dream and perhaps even meet the author because Ken McGoogan has a dream job: he goes on at least one Northwest Passage voyage annually, working as a guide/interpreter/storyteller with Adventure Canada on a boat that makes its way, with paying customers on board, through the Passage. That's a job right up there with Wade Davis who is an Explorer-in-Residence for National Geographic!
October 14, 2023
I don't read that many non-fiction books, so I might not be able to really compare this one. For sure it was very well researched and interesting. It covers a topic that I've been invested in for some time and I was happy to find that it could tell the story of the north-west passage without the usual pathos. What I took away from the book was that Franklin was an idiot and other discoverer deserve more recognition (and also, that I am alarmingly okay with cannibalism, given the circumstances, I mean... It was live or death and they were dead anyway, weren't they).
What I was struggling with were the names. Appearing and reappearing and the same names for father's, sons, cousins, brothers, nephews... I had to go back so many times to figure out who belonged where.
And the latent sexism. I know, yes, those were the times but I still didn't appreciate it, especially the portrayal of women as winnable prizes and the very free interpretation of Lady Franklins thoughts and motives. After all, this was a book written by a man, about men, for men. So, what did I expect.
What I was struggling with were the names. Appearing and reappearing and the same names for father's, sons, cousins, brothers, nephews... I had to go back so many times to figure out who belonged where.
And the latent sexism. I know, yes, those were the times but I still didn't appreciate it, especially the portrayal of women as winnable prizes and the very free interpretation of Lady Franklins thoughts and motives. After all, this was a book written by a man, about men, for men. So, what did I expect.
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March 10, 2020This is the worst EVER book I have bought and read in years! Yes, I am angry at it, especially after reading the excellently-narrated story of the American navy ship Jennette in the Arctic by Hampton Sides. Poor narrative, poor structure, poor story-telling ability. The author says he wants to give the Inuits the honour they deserved, but he did not write anything except listing 49 names of them (btw, in a book of around 110 000 words, there are 282 people's names, 258 place names, 66 vessel names, what can you expect of the narrative?). The author says the past history gave too much attention to the Franklin expedition, but guess what, he does nothing else, except that he reiterates and reinforces a disgusting and out-of-date masculinist idea, hinting that Lady Franklin was the source of the entire debacle. Familiar? "Helen of Troy". For anyone who least values their time, I suggest you never, never, never read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2020
Given that McGoogan has written extensively on this general topic it is no surprise that he shows a mastery of the subject matter. The book is well-written and as up-to-date as one could hope for. It shares in the common, modern outlook that the Europeans, especially the British, were arrogant and often stupid and survived only by learning to listen to the native peoples. No doubt there is some truth to this but it can be overdone and be unbalanced. The native peoples also seem to have learned and benefitted from their interactions with the Europeans. Mistakes and missteps can be found on both sides as can bravery and achievement. In the epilogue, McGoogan makes clear his desire to displace Franklin from the place of honor and install John Rae in his place.
May 30, 2019
I found this book to be quite interesting and well written. Not having heard of author Ken McGoogan before, I was unsure what the quality of the writing would be; I was very pleasantly surprised. The book jacket summarizes the book well. If Arctic exploration or the history of the far north at all interests you, I can recommend "Dead Reckoning", 4.5 stars.
I have my local newspaper to thank for printing a book review of this along with their recommended books for 2018 about Alaska and the North. Thank you, "Fairbanks Daily News-Miner" for the tip, the book should be a winner for my book club!
I have my local newspaper to thank for printing a book review of this along with their recommended books for 2018 about Alaska and the North. Thank you, "Fairbanks Daily News-Miner" for the tip, the book should be a winner for my book club!
December 12, 2018
A very interesting history of Arctic exploration and the many expeditions that searched for the Northwest Passage. It provides a lot of new information and understanding of the fate of the Sir John Franklin expedition from the oral history of the local Inuit and recent discovery of the shipwrecks of the Terror and Eribus from that expedition. It was very readable, almost like a novel. I too struggled with the lack of good maps showing the place names mentioned in the book and the routes followed by the many explorers in many instances. Google Maps helped in some cases, but not all.
May 12, 2018
McGoogan's book details not only the history of the Franklin expedition for the Northwest Passage but also all the subsequent searches for the lost expedition throughout the 19th and 20th-century. While the read is not chronological in structure and bouncing back and forth in time and place, and I wish there were more maps (I had to read using google maps to know where was what) it is a really fascinating and well written book.
January 5, 2019
Excellent narration coupled with an attempt to highlight the immense contribution Inuit peoples put forth over several hundred years of Arctic exploration made this such an enjoyable read. Dead Reckoning definitely set my ideas about the Victorian era of Arctic exploration aside and gave strong evidence of a different story - revealed over time - to great interest. My only lament would be the lack of clearly reproduced maps in the paperback volume.
November 20, 2017
McGoogan rightly credits the Inuit by name for helping so many arctic explorers in this illuminating book. He also takes the opportunity to advocate for his favourite explorer John Rae, who was the true discoverer of the Passage.
December 1, 2018
Excellent up until the apologia for colonialism in the epilogue (“yay smartphones!”) and the suggestion that while the wars and genocide were terrible, some of the indigenous people had it coming. Left a lingering bad taste.
September 7, 2020
So much information in this book! The author, in his own words, has updated the Pierre Berton book to include the roles played by the Eskimos and First Nations in the Discovery of the Arctic.
This book will stay on my shelf for decades to come.
This book will stay on my shelf for decades to come.
November 19, 2020
By identifying both systemic racism and unabashed self-promotion by the well connected, this history of the search for the Northwest Passage reveals the bones of an epic adventure tale. A first introduction to the Inuit and First Nations people who were essential to the endeavour.
April 30, 2021
I loved all the new facets brought into play here, and is a fairly coherently presented version of the mess that was arctic exploration. Author clearly has an angle and is forceful and a bit pompous about delivering it.
June 22, 2020
A good comprehensive history.
March 2, 2021
Wonderful book, look forward to reading more of Ken’s books
December 20, 2022
This book gave me new insight into the exploration of the north and the important role that indigenous people and their knowledge of the land played in helping explorers survive.
January 13, 2025
（阅读的是中文版）堪称北极探险的编年史，读罢让人怅然。Very Impreesive。
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