Product Description

"These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale." So penned Captain Robert Falcon Scott in 1912 as he confronted defeat and death in the crippling subzero temperatures of Antarctica. In this riveting book, Susan Solomon finishes the interrupted tale of Scott and his British expedition, depicting the staggering 900-mile trek to the South Pole and resolving the debate over the journey's failure.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #271482 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Review
"Brilliant... A marvelous and complex book: at once a detective story, a brilliant vindication of a maligned man, and an elegy both for Scott and his men and for the 'crystalline continent' on which they died." Robert MacFarlane, Guardian "An absorbing, fascinating read... a book that will appeal to the explorer in everyone." Sally Ride "Solomon argues her case well, in exact and graceful prose." Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post Book World "Persuasive... Solomon reaches important new conclusions about Scott's expedition." Sara Wheeler, New York Times Book Review "Solomon has crafted a smart, terrific book and an important addition to polar history." Roberta MacInnis, Houston Chronicle

Sally Ride
"An absorbing, fascinating read ... a book that will appeal to the explorer in everyone."

Dennis Drabelle, Washington Post Book World
"Solomon argues her case well, in exact and graceful prose."

Customer Reviews

SUPERBLY WRITTEN AND RESEARCHED VINDICATION OF SCOTT
For anyone interested in the story of Antarctic exploration in the early years of the 20th century, this book is indispensable. From start to finish, I found it hard to put down. A senior scientist and expert on the Antarctic "ozone hole", Susan Solomon writes from personal experience of the extremes of Antarctic weather. Although the story of Captain Scott's tragic final expedition is well known, it seems to have become "fashionable" in recent decades to deride him as a bumbling amateur who led his men needlessly to their deaths. Drawing on the latest scientific research from Antarctica, combined with years of meteorological statistics, Solomon shows how Scott's polar party was overwhelmed by low temperatures which the best planning could never have anticipated and which are only experienced in about one year out of 15 in Antarctica. I found Solomon's arguments all the more impressive given her own scientific background, and as an American she could hardly be accused of lapsing into misplaced patriotic support for Scott. While the science in this book is impressive, it never detracts from a superbly written account of human grit and determination in the face of ultimately overwhelming conditions. Although I have read other accounts of Scott's final days and the discovery of the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers, Solomon's account combines a careful and detailed presentation of the facts with genuine humanity and compassion. I sincerely hope that any student of Antarctic exploration who has been swayed by the rather mean-spirited and one-sided arguments of Roland Huntford will read this fine book and ponder on its revelations.

Expertly researched
This is an excellent book, the research that has gone into it puts most modern writing, with its 'skim the surface' approach to analysis and understanding, to shame. Solomon uses her scientific expertise to delve into Scott's last expedition, a subject that obviously became very close to her heart too. The only questions I had after reading this book were what really happened to Bowers and Wilson; questions that can never be answered. Please don't miss this book if you are in any way interested in the Antarctic. The hard back edition is also beautifully presented.

Try this book - it'll hook you!
I bought this book because of the reviews I saw on this page. I wasn't sure about it because they all seemed to underline the science aspect, and a scientific outlook is the last thing I have, but this was a fantastic read. Susan Soloman may be a first rate scientist, but above that she had an excellent writing style. She made me feel like I was there, she moved me to tears, she interested me in the modern scientific approach, she made me think about what it must have been like there, what the equipment must have been like. Truly this is a 'can't put it down' book, even if you've never been interested in polar exploration try this book, it'll hook you!