The Harriman Alaska expedition of 1899: scientists, naturalists, artists and others document America's last frontier

Uittreksel

"In 1899, one of America's wealthiest men assembled an interdisciplinary team of experts--many of whom would become legendary in their fields--to join him, entirely at his expense, on a voyage to the largely unknown territory of Alaska. The Harriman Expedition remains unparalleled in its conception and execution. This book follows the team closely: where they went, what they did, and what they learned--including finding early evidence of glacial retreat, assessing the nature and future of Alaska's natural resources, making important scientific discoveries, and collecting an astonishing collection of specimens. A second thread involves the lives and accomplishments of the members of the party, weaving biographical strands into the narrative of the journey and the personal experiences they shared. This is the first comprehensive, scholarly treatment of the Harriman Alaska Expedition since the 1980s. It features the diaries, letters home, and post-Expedition writings, including unpublished autobiographies, generated by the members of the party"-- Provided by publisher.

Inhoud

Prologue: The rise of E.H. Harriman -- A vacation becomes an expedition -- Riding the rails to the Pacific Northwest -- The land to which they were going -- The byways of the inside passage -- The Big Ice-Mountain Bay -- Gold rush country -- A touch of culture and a mix of cultures -- Yakutat Bay and enchantment -- Prince William Sound and discovery -- Kodiak Island and celebration -- Into the snarling Bering Sea -- The farthest points -- Familiar territory -- A village silent as the tomb -- Never to be assembled again -- For the benefit of others -- The guests : accomplishments and legacies -- The Harrimans : notoriety and achievement.