Fatal Passage: The True Story of John Rae the Arctic Hero Time Forgot

About this book

John Raes accomplishments surpassing all nineteenth-century Arctic explorers were worthy of honors and international fame. No explorer even approached Raes prolific record: 1 776 miles surveyed of uncharted territory; 6 555 miles hiked on snowshoes; and 6 700 miles navigated in small boats. Yet he was denied fair recognition of his discoveries because he dared to utter the truth about the fate of Sir John Franklin and his crew Raes predecessors in the far north. Author Ken McGoogan vividly narrates the astonishing adventures of Rae who found the last link to the Northwest Passage and uncovered the grisly truth about the cannibalism of Franklin and his crew. A bitter smear campaign by Franklins supporters would deny Rae his knighthood and bury him in ignominy for over one hundred and fifty years. Ken McGoogans passion to secure justice for a true North American hero in this revelatory book produces a completely original and compelling portrait that elevates Rae to his rightful place as one of historys greatest explorers.