"The Fabulous Kingdom: The Exploration of the Arctic" 1st/1st HC/DJ 2001
$ 7.92
Description
"The Fabulous Kingdom: The Exploration of the Arctic" was written by Charles Officer and Jake Page and published by Oxford University Press in New York in 2001. This is a hardcover, first edition, first printing of this 222-page history featuring numerous black-and-white photographs, illustrations and maps throughout. The original price, as shown on the dustjacket front flap, was $25.00. From the dustjacket blurb: “Inconstant and forbidding, the arctic lured misguided voyagers into the cold for centuries—pushing them beyond the limits of their knowledge, technology, and stamina. ‘A Fabulous Kingdom’ charts these quests and the eventual race for the North Pole in unprecedented detail, chronicling the lives and misconceptions that would eventually throw light on this ‘magical realm’ of sunless winters. “Setting the scene with an explanation of the arctic region's geography, geology, and climate, the authors present the physical and ideological barriers that faced early sailors traveling into the uncharted arctic realm. They then follow the explorers and the evolution of the arctic mission, from the early journeys of Viking Ottar, who rounded the North Cape ca. 870, to northern European expeditions in search of a Northwest or Northeast passage to the riches of sixteenth century Asia. “ The progressive exploits and findings of Martin Frobisher, John Davis, Henry Hudson, and William Edward Parry fueled the public's fascination with this new world of ice. Yet with the ill-fated voyage of Sir John Franklin, nations abandoned their belief in the arctic as the way to wealth. Henceforth, it would be private funding and personal motives that would lead English, Scandinavian, and American men with a redefined purpose: to reach the North Pole. “With a fascinating account of nineteenth and twentieth century exploration and the longstanding myth of an open polar sea, the authors reconsider the achievements of the conventional arctic pioneers—Frederick Cook, Robert Peary, and Richard Bird. Moreover, they consider the consequences and rewards of human ambition and our perilous desire to conquer the unknown. ” And from the reviews: “[The authors] prance from topic to topic across the eons, providing an irresistible combination of history, speculation, humor, and 'hard science explanation'' —Washington Post Book World The book is in fine, collectible condition, with no torn or bent pages, no scratches, stains or inscriptions, no remainder marks, no price-clipping, no bookplate, no ex-library, no book club edition, no flaws of any sort. It is as new. The dustjacket is in equally fine shape and is protected in a clear and removable archival cover. Please see the photos for a fuller description and author profile. BLK BOX 46 PLEASE SEE THE OTHER TITLES NOW LISTED IN MY EBAY STORE: DISTANT VOYAGE BOOKS PAYPAL PREFERRED Will combine shipping. All items are well packed and are normally mailed within two days of payment being received. My 100% feedback rating is valuable to me. If you are satisfied with a transaction, please leave feedback and I will do the same. Questions welcome. Additional photographs on request. Note: Scrolling through my listings will locate books in these and many other categories: Animals; Art & Architecture; Biography; Children’s; Collecting & Collectibles; Entertainment, Film & Theater; Fiction; Food & Drink; Gardening; History; Military; Music; Natural History; Nautical; Photography; Science & Technology; Travel; Space; Sports; Transportation. New Listings added almost daily.
