Resolute: The Search for the Northwest Passage and Discovery of Queen's Ghost Ship

Acclaimed historian Martin Sandler, a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, winner of seven Emmy® Awards, and author of more than fifty books, has achieved a significant historic and literary feat by intertwining the tales of two monumental searches. The National Book Award-winning author delves into an extraordinary high-seas adventure, shedding light on a piece of history that has captivated generations.

The story begins with the mysterious disappearance of Sir John Franklin and his vessels, the Erebus and the Terror, during their expedition to uncover the elusive Northwest Passage, making headlines as one of the most significant news stories of the 19th century. Following Lady Jane Franklin's plea for assistance, numerous missions were launched in search of her husband, none of which were successful.

Among the expeditions was the Resolute, the pride of Queen Victoria's Navy. Trapped in Arctic ice in 1854 and abandoned by its captain, the ship drifted 1,200 miles before being stumbled upon by a Connecticut whaler. The crew boarded the Resolute, navigated it through a violent storm, and returned it to New London, Connecticut, where it was later refitted by the United States government and returned to the grateful Queen.

The Resolute's legacy lived on long after its retirement in 1879, as its finest timbers were repurposed into a desk for President Rutherford B. Hayes. This desk, now a cherished piece of furniture in the White House, remains in use by American presidents to this day, a symbol of the enduring ties between nations.

Featuring a wealth of rare photographs, paintings, engravings, and maps, Sandler's gripping historical account paints a vivid picture of bravery, perseverance, and discovery on the high seas.

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