JOHN LEDYARD An American Marco Polo

by Kenneth Munford ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 1939

Biography of an 10th century American who indulged his passion for wandering to the full, running away from Dartmouth and joining Captain Cook in London for a four years' cruise to the South Seas which included a survey of the northwest coast of America and wrote a book about it on his return. He presented his plan of a northwest fur trade to all sorts of people, but was a voice crying in the wilderness. He died on an African survey. His importance lies in the influence he had on Jefferson, and a few others far-sighted enough to recognize the necessity of opening up the northwest with a view to being first on the ground for Western trade. But in his own life, he was rated a failure. A capable though not an inspired job.

Pub Date: April 25, 1939

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Binfords & Mort (Distributed by Morrow)

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1939

Categories: NONFICTION