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This is not a book about glory; whilst Oates' strength of character and physical toughness are simply astounding by modern day standards (as were all polar explorers), one is left wondering why so much suffering (by man and beast alike) had to be expended on such a gruelling 2000 mile trek, in weather conditions barely imaginable.
Oates still emerges as a courageous and heroic young man in Smith's hands, both in his army career and as Scott's horse handler, but Oates was no fool. He saw much of the folly in Scott's inflexible and domineering approach, and suffered much in silence. The central tragedy is forcefully emphasised here: Oates' life was squandered by Scott's incompetance, and his suicide was the last gesture of man who had already endured the unendurable (not only frostbite and starvation, but scurvy - with truly ghastly symptomns, details that most Polar biographers have been happier overlooking).
Michael Smith (author of another notable Antarctic biography of Crean) tries to distance himself a little from Huntford's hatchet job on Scott, but subscribes to many of the same conclusions. He questions some of Huntford's conjectures but makes a few of his own - how can he know that Oates' 10-year old leg wound reopening was as painful as the original bullet impact which shattered the left thigh?
The photographs here are excellent and in many cases unfamiliar -Scott's expedition has been extensively documented and Ponting's images oft-reproduced, but even the better-known shots here are reprinted with a finer quality that is usual, giving an overall freshness to the handsome edition.
The revelatory postscript here is that Oates fathered an illigitimate child in 1900. Smith wisely plays down the sensationalism of these alledged facts but in so doing fails to consider any moral culpability on Oates' part. Oates's "girlfriend" was 11, still a child - he was 20. Even without the resulting pregnancy the legal process would have landed him in prison and completely forestalled his army career.
This is really a minor gripe about what is an impressive, well-researched and absorbing story - even well-read South Polar fiends like myself will find much that is new. Who next for Michael Smith? Meares? Bowers? What about Lashly? There's still many tales to be told.
Laurence Oates is always painted as a hero who gave up his own life to save those of Scott and his remaining companions. He is also heroic in his love and treatment of the horses and ponies that he was responsible for. Smith delicately handles Oates' heroism and makes no effort to re-create or alter the myth of Oates.
The hardship of Antartic exploration is vividly conveyed, as is also the fatally flawed decisions of Scott which ultimately doomed him and his men. Oates, the soldier, obeyed Scott's commands - even though led him to his inevitable demise.
Oates sought excitement all his life, and saw the Antartic as an opportunity for heroism and adventure. I feel that he is the type of character that was destined to die tragically, and would surely have persished in the upcoming Great War had he survived the ice.
Smiths's style produces a well written account. If you have not already read his book about Tom Crean, do so soon - you will not be disappointed.
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