Ancient Mariner - Couverture souple

McGoogan, Ken

Couverture souple

ISBN 10 : 055381642X ISBN 13 : 9780553816426

Editeur : Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group), 2005

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

In 1757, when twelve-year-old Samuel Hearne joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice to the famous fighting captain Samuel Hood, he was embarking on a life of high adventure. This young sailor would become the first European to reach the Arctic coast of North America, the author of a classic work of exploration literature, and the man who inspired one of the greatest poems in the English language. Yet, for over two centuries, Hearne's place in history has been a subject of dispute. In ANCIENT MARINER, Ken McGoogan paints a vivid portrait of life in the eighteenth century, from London through to the farthest reaches of North America. After serving as a midshipman during the Seven Years War, Hearne joined the Hudson's Bay Company and was posted to the Arctic coast. From there he embarked on an overland quest for a fabled copper mine - also hoping to discover the Northwest Passage. In his epic account, A JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN OCEAN, Hearne described this trek, marked by hardship, near-starvation and culture shock. Joining forces with the legendary Dene leader Matonabbee, and closely observing the people, wildlife and terrain as he went, Hearne travelled more than 3,500 miles, mostly on foot. His journey culminated in the infamous massacre at 'Bloody Falls' at the mouth of the Coppermine River - an event, McGoogan suggests, that changed him for ever.

In a fascinating piece of literary detective work, McGoogan also determines that, having returned to London to live out his final days, Hearne met Samuel Taylor Coleridge and inspired the poet to write his classic poem, THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER.

Quatrième de couverture

'His stirring story is one of true British grit' Sunday Telegraph

In 1757, when twelve-year-old Samuel Hearne joined the Royal Navy, he embarked on a life of high adventure. This young sailor would become the first European to reach the Arctic coast of North America as well as the author of a classic work of exploration literature. Hearne spent three years trekking the northern wilds of the Arctic in search of a fabled copper mine and the legendary Northwest Passage. Immersing himself among the native peoples, he travelled more than 3,500 miles, mostly on foot.

Ken McGoogan restores this pioneering naturalist, anthropologist and explorer to his rightful eminence, painting a vivid portrait of life in Dr Johnson's London, on and off the wooden sailing ships and uniquely, among the Dene people of the Arctic circle. He also determines that, having returned to London haunted by his experiences, Hearne inspired Coleridge to write his classic poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

'A thoroughly admirable man who led an extraordinarily adventurous life. McGoogan has done us all a service in reminding us of a more-or-less-forgotten hero' Mail on Sunday

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Bantam Books (Transworld Publishers a division of the Random House Group)
• Date d'édition: 2005
• ISBN 10: 055381642X
• ISBN 13: 9780553816426
• Reliure: Broché
• Nombre de pages: 432