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History General

This Distant and Unsurveyed Country

A Woman's Winter at Baffin Island, 1857-1858

by (author) Gillies Ross

Publisher
McGill-Queen's University Press
Initial publish date
Sep 1997
Category
General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780773516748
    Publish Date
    Sep 1997
    List Price
    $125.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780773566927
    Publish Date
    Sep 1997
    List Price
    $95.00

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Description

Bringing together thirty years' work on arctic whaling, Ross's invaluable text supplements Margaret Penny's journal to present a complete picture not only of this particular expedition but of arctic whaling in general. Ross provides illuminating insights into the principal characters, the mechanics and strategy of whaling, life aboard ship, the climate and geography of the Arctic, the struggle for survival in the North, and the relationship between the Inuit and Europeans.

The unique combination of Margaret Penny's unabridged journal and Ross's extensive knowledge of whaling makes This Distant and Unsurveyed Country an invaluable resource and an unforgettable tale of adventure.

About the author

Editorial Reviews

"I was impressed with the way Ross leads us into the life of the Penny family, the whaling industry, the Inuit culture. His commentary on each entry by Margaret Penny is in fact a self-contained essay on some dimension of the voyage. Although, as a woman, Margaret Penny lacked an authoritative voice, Ross gives her that voice, turning a set of restrained observations into an engaging document." Ronald Rompkey, Department of English, Memorial University
"An exceptionally fine book. While the journal is quite important on its own, the book's greatest value is as a vehicle providing Ross an opportunity to share his own vast and detailed knowledge of arctic whaling in general and William Penny specifically. Ross's knowledge of arctic whaling is exceptional and seemingly inexhaustible. His style is engaging, reflective, humane, and appropriately humorous. This is truly the work of a mature scholar at his peak." Richard C. Davis, Department of English, University of Calgary