Erebus: One Ship, Two Epic Voyages, and the Greatest Naval Mystery of All Time

WINNER OF THE JOHN LYMAN BOOK AWARD FOR CANADIAN NAVAL AND MARITIME HISTORY“[A]n extraordinary book. . . . The little-known tale of the southern voyage, based on copious surviving records, is enthralling, but it’s Palin’s refusal to speculate on the thoughts and emotions of the 129 men aboard Franklin’s two ships before the last of them died that gives Erebus an eerie resonance.” —Brian Bethune, Maclean’s   “[A] narrative about nineteenth-century expeditions that is at once breezy and gripping.” —Russell Smith, The Globe and Mail“[Palin’s] narrative is driven by a deep sympathy for explorers and adventurers, while also being illuminated by flashes of gentle wit. . . . It’s a fascinating story that he brings full-bloodedly to life, stripping away the barnacles of the past to reveal the hidden history of a ship.” —Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, The Guardian “Beyond terrific. I didn't want it to end.” —Bill Bryson“One robust little tub of a boat, two death-defying voyages to the ends of the earth. Palin has given us a fascinating account of the extraordinary courage of nineteenth-century British sailors and officers. Even the sturdiest vessel is dependent on luck, climate and its captain’s skills as he faces ferocious weather, and Palin illuminates with enthusiasm and respect this chilly history of a bomb ship that made its name first as a polar pioneer and then later as a watery tomb. Enthralling.” —Charlotte Gray, author of The Promise of Canada: People and Ideas That Have Shaped Our Country   “Expertly written and masterfully crafted, Palin’s story of one ship’s two bold explorations successfully weaves together two hundred years of history into page-turning entertainment.” —Adam Shoalts, author of A History of Canada in Ten Maps: Epic Stories of Charting a Mysterious Land“With this irresistible and often harrowing account, Michael Palin makes a convincing case that one heroic little ship embodied the golden age of polar exploration better than any other: HMS Erebus.” —John Geiger, co-author of Frozen in Time: The Fate of the Franklin Expedition and CEO of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society“Michael Palin is a cracking good companion on this journey of ambition, longing, triumph and tragedy. His dauntless curiosity drives us through ice-infested waters from pole to pole, and his passion for weaving together the lives of the men who lived and died on Erebus infuses every page. More than that, though, Palin’s contagious spirit of exploration proves that the age of adventure lives on in us still.” —Alanna Mitchell, author of The Spinning Magnet: The Force that Created the Modern World and Could Destroy It“What more could a reader ask for? Fascinating mystery, chilling adventure, compelling characters—one a powerful woman, another made of wood and sails—and simply terrific writing by Michael Palin.” —Roy MacGregor, author of Original Highways: Travelling the Great Rivers of Canada“At this late date, and against all odds, Michael Palin has found an original way to enter and explore the Royal Navy narrative of polar exploration. Palin is a superb stylist, low-key and conversational, who skillfully incorporates personal experience. He turns up obscure facts, reanimates essential moments, and never shies away from taking controversial positions. This beautifully produced volume—colour plates, outstanding maps—is a landmark achievement.” —Ken McGoogan, author of Dead Reckoning: The Untold Story of the Northwest Passage