Anyone with an interest in northern or exploration history will discover in “Discovering Nothing” a studious critique and sometimes reinterpretation of a significant part of Alaska, American and global history.
The search for a northern sea passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is legendary. Numerous expeditions from both sides of the continent ended in failure, some in disastrous frozen-in-ice situations.
“Discovering Nothing” is organized thematically, not chronologically, which can be confusing and repetitious at times, but the author has thoughtfully included a cast of characters, a chronology, maps, and end notes to help readers find their way.
Meanwhile, Russian, Spanish and French explorers were similarly adventuring, leaving their names all over islands, capes and inlets while looking for glory and riches. One pleasure of this book for Alaskans is gaining a greater appreciation for connections between history and our named geography. Kotzebue and Malaspina, Valdes, Bligh, Portlock and Dixon, Gore, Delong and many lesser-known individuals all appear here in respect to their travels along Alaska’s coast.
“In terms of the practical adaptation to this circumstance,” Nicandri writes, “it seems as if the clock has been turned back to the last third of the eighteenth century and the era of James Cook ... assessing prospects for reducing shipping distances between Europe and Asia.” The “travel window” for passage is now eight months long, and ships are carrying natural gas between Russia and China, saving 5,000 miles and two weeks of time.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Championship golf returns to the Pacific Northwest this week but remains elusive in the big pictureWhen the U.S. Open came to the Pacific Northwest for the first time nearly a decade ago, golf enthusiasts in the upper left corner of the country hoped it’d be the start of significant events making a regular visit. So far, that has not come to fruition and there’s not much on the horizon to suggest it’ll change.
Read more »
Why Power Book IV: Force & Power Book II: Ghost Are Both EndingWhy Power Book IV: Force & Power Book II: Ghost Are Both Ending
Read more »
Broadway Book Fair: An adult book fair for San AntonioNowhere Bookshop and Belle & Union Co., 7959 Broadway 502 in San Antonio, are teaming up for the event Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Read more »
David Wroblewski's newest book 'Familiaris' earns him his 2nd entry into Oprah's Book Club'Familiaris' follows Edgar Sawtelle's grandfather, John Sawtelle, his new wife Mary and their friends and dogs as they start a life together in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
Read more »
'American Fiction Book to Film Comparison - How Different Is the Book?Jeffrey Wright on the poster for American Fiction
Read more »
'Ban This Book': Book about banning books banned by school boardA book about banning books just proved life is as strange as fiction by getting banned itself.
Read more »