The true story of the greatest mystery of Arctic exploration—and the rare mix of marine science and Inuit knowledge that led to the shipwreck's recent discovery.

Ice Ghosts weaves together the epic story of the Franklin Expedition—whose two ships and crew of 129 were lost to the Arctic ice—with the modern tale of the scientists, divers, and local Inuit behind the incredible discovery of the flagship's wreck in 2014. Paul Watson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who was on the icebreaker that led the discovery expedition, tells a fast-paced historical adventure story: Sir John Franklin and the crew of the HMS Erebus and Terror setting off in search of the fabled Northwest Passage, the hazards they encountered and the reasons they were forced to abandon ship hundreds of miles from the nearest outpost of Western civilization, and the decades of searching that turned up only rumours of cannibalism and a few scattered papers and bones—until a combination of faith in Inuit lore and the latest science yielded a discovery for the ages.

Paul Watson with Lamya Essemlali

Paul Watson's profile page

Praise for Ice Ghosts:
*Named one of the best science books of 2017 by The Guardian*
"A splendid achievement." —Ken McGoogan, Globe and Mail

"A gripping account of the uncovering of the wrecks of Erebus and Terror. . . . a discovery, we learn, that only became possible when explorers bothered to listen to the tales of local Inuit whose ancestors had watched the ships sink." —The Guardian
"Intriguing [and] enjoyable. . . . While there have been many previous books about the Franklin expedition and its mysterious fate, the notable originality of Ice Ghosts lies in the fact that it brings the story right up-to-date. . . . Franklin aficionados will certainly want to add it to their libraries." —Ian McGuire, New York Times Book Review

"Riveting. . . . An engrossing chronicle of a legendary doomed naval voyage and the nearly 200-year effort to bring the Franklin Expedition to a close." —Booklist
"[A] thrilling tale of science's hunt to solve one of naval history's greatest riddles. . . . [Watson's] intimate familiarity with key players and places gives the reader an insider's view of the operations." —Discover Magazine
"An incredible yarn." —Boston Globe
"Fascinating." —Dallas Morning News
"A must-read for anyone fascinated with the history—and future—of Arctic exploration." —Reader's Digest
"Engaging. . . . A keen, entertaining chronicle of the various attempts to locate a sensationally doomed expedition." —Kirkus (starred review)

"Watson's meticulously researched tale finely weaves together the many voices and experiences of those who sought Franklin's long-missing ships." —Publishers Weekly
"A thorough and entertaining account of the efforts to locate the ships. . . . Watson's great descriptive prose is on full display." —Quill & Quire

"It's one of those history books that are nearly impossible to put down: The story is riveting and incredibly suspenseful, and the writing is superb." —The Chronicle Herald

"Watson's story shines. . . . [Ice Ghosts is] different and more valuable than most of what comes from the cottage industry of Franklin books." —David B. Williams, Seattle Times

Praise for Paul Watson's Where War Lives:
"It's one of the finest Canadian books ever: beautifully written." —Brian Bethune, Maclean's
"Watson is a natural storyteller, and he has one hell of a story to tell." —Globe and Mail
"Gripping and courageous. . . . This book is a thriller." —Ottawa Citizen