For the first time ever Roland Huntford presents each man's account of the race to the South Pole in their own words. In 1910, Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen set sail for Antarctica, each from his own starting point, and the epic race for the South Pole was on. 2010, marks the centenary of the last great race of terrestrial discovery. For the first time Scott's unedited diary entries run alongside those of Amundsen and Bjaaland, never before translated into English. Cutting through the welter of controversy, with the polar journey at the heart of the story Huntford weaves a narrative frpm the protagonists explanations of their own fate. What emerges is a whole new understanding of what really happened on the ice.
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'Crucially, [Huntford] reads Norwegian, and the translations are his own. Decades of experience allow him to dilate on the idiosyncrasies of fur in the polar environment; on the workings of the anemometers and on the 'meridian sight method of finding latitude' ... This work is brilliant, and well executed.' --Sara Wheeler, The Times
Breaks new ground by letting both men live and die side by side in their own words ... The Race for the South Pole represents Huntford s final attempt to get Scott and Amundsen s legacies restored to what he believes should be their proper balance. There is simply no more evidence left to find. --The Guardian
Reading the journals of Scott and Amundsen together has the advantage of highlighting the relative pace and position of the two expeditions on a daily basis. It also draws attention to the contrasting literary styles of their authors. Of interest here are not simply the celebrated set-pieces, most notably Scott s powerful final message to the public, but also more routine matters of format and function. --BBC History Magazine
'The knowledge and research of this 83-year-old author is magnetic and forces the reader to reassess one's understanding of Amundsen's organisation and the amateurish approach of Scott... This is more than just a good book - you make the journey.' --guardian.co.uk
'This is a valuable book, and Huntford enriches the fascinating diary entries with his own expert analysis and insight into polar history.' --Geographical magazine
Race for the South Pole, while allowing the reader to savour the contrasts between the expedition diaries of Scott, Amundsen and Bjaaland, also shows Huntford in continued argument with his sources. --The Spectator
Breaks new ground by letting both men live and die side by side in their own words ... The Race for the South Pole represents Huntford s final attempt to get Scott and Amundsen s legacies restored to what he believes should be their proper balance. There is simply no more evidence left to find. --The Guardian
Reading the journals of Scott and Amundsen together has the advantage of highlighting the relative pace and position of the two expeditions on a daily basis. It also draws attention to the contrasting literary styles of their authors. Of interest here are not simply the celebrated set-pieces, most notably Scott s powerful final message to the public, but also more routine matters of format and function. --BBC History Magazine
'The knowledge and research of this 83-year-old author is magnetic and forces the reader to reassess one's understanding of Amundsen's organisation and the amateurish approach of Scott... This is more than just a good book - you make the journey.' --guardian.co.uk
'This is a valuable book, and Huntford enriches the fascinating diary entries with his own expert analysis and insight into polar history.' --Geographical magazine
Race for the South Pole, while allowing the reader to savour the contrasts between the expedition diaries of Scott, Amundsen and Bjaaland, also shows Huntford in continued argument with his sources. --The Spectator
About the Author
Roland Huntford is the world's foremost authority on the polar expeditions and their protagonists. He is the author of the award-winning Two Planks and a Passion: the Dramatic History of Skiing, Scott and Amundsen: Last Place on Earth and biographer of Shackleton and Nansen. He was the Scandinavian correspondent on The Observer for many years.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Hardcover
This is like a condensed version of Huntford's book on Scott and Amundsen. It tells the same story but essentially in the words of the two protagonists, which is intriguing in many ways, especially if you have already read the first book, which I would suggest doing first.
3 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By G. I. Forbes
Format:Hardcover
This is the story of 2 teams who in 1911 raced to be first to reach the South Pole.The Scott expedition of 27 men and the Amundsen party of 9 both set of in early Sept 1911 with Amundsen reaching the pole on Dec7 buy Scott not until Jan 18.
The book records the complete diaries of Scott and those of Amundsen and Bjaaland for the other team-the Norwegian diaries appearing in English for the first time.
The book is in diary form for the 3 authors who recorded in meticulous detail.
The last entry in the Scott diary is for March 29 and we all know the ending.
An excellent book well researched and detailed with good maps,notes and glossary.
A close reading of the epilogue is ESSENTIAL as many myths are laid to rest.
The book records the complete diaries of Scott and those of Amundsen and Bjaaland for the other team-the Norwegian diaries appearing in English for the first time.
The book is in diary form for the 3 authors who recorded in meticulous detail.
The last entry in the Scott diary is for March 29 and we all know the ending.
An excellent book well researched and detailed with good maps,notes and glossary.
A close reading of the epilogue is ESSENTIAL as many myths are laid to rest.
4 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By N. P. Davies
Format:Hardcover
Having read Ranulph Fiennes book first, there must be serious doubts cast over not only the author's qualification to actually write the account but also one wonders whether it would be flawed if the author was to set out to write on either of his two subjects with an agenda.
It also begs the question as to whether the people who put their names to the original reviews may not now wish to re-consider their obsedrvations in light of the evidence that Ranulph Fiennes cites.
Whilst the 'Amundsen' related material may be entirely objective, the 'Scott' aspects must therefore be read with some caution.
It also begs the question as to whether the people who put their names to the original reviews may not now wish to re-consider their obsedrvations in light of the evidence that Ranulph Fiennes cites.
Whilst the 'Amundsen' related material may be entirely objective, the 'Scott' aspects must therefore be read with some caution.
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