Overview

Vilhjalmur Stefansson (1879-1962) was Canada's greatest modern arctic explorer, theorist, writer, and pioneer ethnologist. For the first quarter of the twentieth century his ideas captured the imagination of Canadians and gave them a sense of Canada's northern destiny. However, by the mid-1920s he had become persona non grata in Canada, although he remained an acknowledged arctic expert elsewhere in the world. Even today Stefansson's character is the subject of debate. His admirers consider him a prophet and visionary; his critics consider him a charlatan, a manipulator, and, in some instances, a liar. In this award-winning book Richard Diubaldo explores the controversy surrounding Stefansson and his achievements and the reasons Canada rejected one of its biggest supporters.

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9781282857858

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A lucid and convincing analysis of the origins of Stefansson's attitudes and ideas, and a superb account of the outfitting and financing of one segment of the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913-18 and the political infighting and public relations surrounding it. Carl Berger, The Writing of Canadian History An important book. John English, American Historical Review Winner of the John Lyman Award and a CHA Regional History Certificate of Merit

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