America is the first world power to inhabit an immense land mass open at both ends to the world’s two largest oceans—the Atlantic and the Pacific. This gives America a great competitive advantage often overlooked by Atlanticists; whose focus remains overwhelmingly fixed on America’s relationship with Europe. Bruce Cumings challenges the Atlanticist perspective in this innovative new history; arguing that relations with Asia influenced our history greatly.Cumings chronicles how the movement westward; from the Middle West to the Pacific; has shaped America’s industrial; technological; military; and global rise to power. He unites domestic and international history; international relations; and political economy to demonstrate how technological change and sharp economic growth have created a truly bicoastal national economy that has led the world for more than a century. Cumings emphasizes the importance of American encounters with Mexico; the Philippines; and the nations of East Asia. The result is a wonderfully integrative history that advances a strong argument for a dual approach to American history incorporating both Atlanticist and Pacificist perspectives.
#2071755 in Books Glyn Williams 2003-02-08Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x 1.25 x 5.51l; 1.49 #File Name: 0300098669467 pagesVoyages of Delusion The Quest for the Northwest Passage
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Fascinating arm-chair travel in timeBy John S. ReidThis is a great read - a true time-travel for arm-chair-travelers. By now you already know what this book is about from the product description and the other reviews; so I won't bore you with details regarding the scope of the book.The tales of exploration of the coasts of northern North America provided in this book read like a screen play of a very exciting movie (along the lines of Master and Commander); but they are REAL LIFE experiences; not Hollywood fiction. (Imagine your brandy freezing solid in Hudson's Bay; or trying to dig a ship free from 10 feet of ice beneath 13 feet of snow.)Prof. Williams has done extensive research on the subject (everything from then-current newspaper articles to explorers' journals); and includes many useful maps and drawings to illuminate the text. While the title suggests a limited scope (i.e.; the search for the Northwest Passage); the narrative actually touches on a much wider range of topics. In fact; this book motivated me to pursue further reading regarding the explorations and achievements of Magellan; Drake and Mackenzie. Being a resident of the Pacific Northwest; I was also surprised to discover (from this book) the origin of many of the place-names I grew up with (but never appreciated); such as Puget Sound and Vancouver Island.The narrative of this book is concise; exceedingly well written; and includes enough anecdotes and Welsh dry humor to keep the reader engaged (and possibly amused; depending on your sense of humor). While we all know the outcome of the story (i.e.; no easy NW Passage was found - sorry if that's a spoiler for some readers); it's simply just fascinating to see how the tale evolved to those involved at the time.If there is one negative to this book; it is the following: there is no map to show the reader just how very complex the coastline is of the Inside Passage along the northwest Pacific coast (the presumed western entrance to the NW Passage). While Illustration 51 at page 404 (drawn in 1798) gives some idea as to the complexity of the coastline around Vancouver Island; the maps at pages 310 and 391 suggest a much simpler coastline. If one looks at a modern atlas showing the Inside Passage; one can see that this coastline is simply peppered with inlets; thus allowing the "Voyages of the Imagination" (the author's term regarding the supposed voyages of de Fuca (1625) and Fonte (1640) of a NW passage) to be propagated for almost 200 years (until finally disproven circa 1795). Bottom line: a good map of the current coastline of the Pacific NW might help the reader to more fully appreciate why the myth of the "Northwest Passage" was held by so many for so long (notwithstanding then-current (e.g.; circa 1790) evidence to the contrary regarding the impossibility of a NE entrance to the NW Passage).In our modern age of satellite imagery; cell-phone communications; and other modern conveniences (such as orange juice concentrate to prevent the onset of scurvy in sailors) it is easy to dismiss the accomplishments (and ignorance) of those explorers who went before us as recently as 220 years ago (a mere blink of the eye in the timeline of human history) to discover what we now take for granted. We owe it to those intrepid souls to study their history and their contributions; and to learn from them. Why? Because regarding interstellar (and beyond) space exploration; we are just as ignorant (if not more so) as the folks of 1700 were regarding their knowledge of the extent of their planet. As John Toland said (and to paraphrase): history does not repeat itself; but human nature does. So let us try to avoid the mistakes of our predecessors in going forward with the continued exploration of our world; solar system; galaxy and universe.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting version of the NW Passage search.By Harry TrumanPresented in a manner different enough from many other books on the subject that I did not feel I was reading the same story again.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Some dreams die hardBy BomojazThis book investigates a number of 18th-century voyages of discovery for a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the East Indies; a passage that took root in the imaginations of cartographers and explorers (and their sponsors) and would not die. Three voyages of discovery into Hudson Bay are examined - the voyage of James Knight; which disappeared without a trace after (or during) it wintered on Marble Island in 1719-20; the disappointing six-week exploration of Christopher Middleton's expedition after being stuck in the ice for nearly 11 months at Churchill where many of the crew fell victim to scurvy (1741-42); and the contentious (and fruitless) voyage of William Moor and Francis Smith that sparked an investigation by Parliament (1746-47). English officials were sorely disappointed with the empty-handed results of these voyages of discovery; and decided that perhaps better luck would be had by attacking the passage from the west. Williams then examines some Russian and Spanish explorations of the west coast of North America; but concentrates primarily on the superb voyage of James Cook in 1778; which proved once and for all that the Northwest Passage did not exist. Many imaginative and hypothetical maps suddenly became obsolete. Williams does an excellent job relating his story; much it coming from a thorough and deep look into the archives. The many maps are a major asset. It's a fascinating and informative study. Highly recommended.
