"The eighteenth century - the Age of Reason - was characterized by determined attempts by philosophers, scientists and political theorists to dispel myth, superstition and ignorance. But the Age of Reason also witnessed some of the most irrational and vainglorious attempts by sailors and speculators to find a navigable Northwest Passage that would lead through the icy seas of the Arctic from Hudson Bay to the wealth of the Pacific Ocean." "It is a tale of credulity and duplicity, of hopes raised and dashed, of the misdirection of practical seamen by armchair geographers. Lured by the promise of fame and riches, men endured paralyzing cold, malnutrition and terrifying storms. Many lives and fortunes were lost in the quest for the elusive "maritime philosopher's stone."" In this gripping work of narrative history, Glyn Williams explores the adventures and mishaps of successive voyages, including one expedition that disappeared entirely in the Arctic ice. Vividly written and replete with fascinating characters, Voyages of Delusion is a riveting contribution to the history of North American exploration.