{"product_id":"northwest-passage-9781554981533","title":"Northwest Passage","description":"\u003cp\u003eWinner of the Governor Generals Literary Award for Childrens Illustration Award-winning artist Matt James takes the iconic song \"Northwest Passage\" by legendary Canadian songwriter and singer Stan Rogers and tells the dramatic story of the search for the elusive route through the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific  which for hundreds of years and once again today  nations  explorers and commercial interests have dreamt of conquering  often with tragic consequences. For hundreds of years explorers attempted to find the Northwest Passage - a route through Canadas northern waters to the Pacific Ocean and Asia. Others attempted to find a land route. Many hundreds of men perished in the attempt  until finally  in 1906  Roald Amundsen completed the voyage by ship. Today global warming has brought interest in the passage back to a fever pitch as nations contend with each other over its control and future uses. The historic search inspired Canadian folk musician Stan Rogers to write \"Northwest Passage\"  a song that has become a widely known favorite since its 1981 release. It describes Stans own journey overland as he contemplates the arduous journeys of some of the explorers  including Kelsey  Mackenzie  Thompson and especially Franklin. The song is moving and haunting  a paean to the adventurous spirit of the explorers and to the beauty of the vast land and icy seas. The lyrics are accompanied by the striking paintings of multiple award-winning artist Matt James. Matt brings a unique vision to the song and the history behind it  providing commentary on the Franklin expedition and its failure to heed the wisdom of Inuit living in the North. The book also contains the music for the song (as well as a final verse that was never recorded)  maps  a timeline of Arctic exploration  mini-biographies and portraits of the principal explorers  and suggestions for further reading. Following on the success of Canadian Railroad Trilogy  this is another beautiful book in which a memorable song illuminates a fascinating history that has taken on new resonance today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45495976558645,"sku":"ByrdShop_1554981530","price":33.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9781554981533.jpg?v=1780905108","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/northwest-passage-9781554981533","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}