Stefansson and the Canadian Arctic

Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1978. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Fine. 9.5" by 6.5". None. The first edition of this biography on of Canada's greatest and most controversial modern arctic explorer Vilhjalmur Stefansson. The first edition 1978 of this volume on Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Canada's most controversial and arguably greatest arctic explorer.In 1918, after suffering an almost fatal bout of typhoid fever and pneumonia, Stefansson ceased his explorations and started a career as a writer and lecturer. The real controversy was fuelled by Stefansson encouraging and organising an expedition for four young men to colonise Wrangel Island in north Siberia who, due to inexperience and inappropriate equipment, all perished. The only survivor was Ada Blackjack, a Inuk woman taken with them as a cook who had strong survival skills, and the expedition cat. Blackjack wasn't rescued until 1923.This book focuses on Stefansson's ideas and methods and his relationships with politicians, businessmen and associates, trying to understand what caused his misfortune and giving an analysis on the fiasco that was Wrangel Island. Signed by author.Complete with thirteen illustrations, five maps and two charts. With unclipped dustwrapper. In the publisher's original blue cloth binding, with titles stamped in gilt to spine. Externally lovely, with minor shelfwear only. Kenn Back's bookplate to front free endpaper. Loosely inserted, a bookmark illustrating arctic penguins, as well as Kenn Back's invoice and receipt for the purchase of this volume and other as well as the reply email from his seller regarding some volumes of interest dated 14/3/16. Dustwrapper is excellent, with minor shelfwear only. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Inscribed by author to half title page "to Sheila with regards and respect." Complete with thirteen illustrations, five maps and two charts. Fine