Product Description

Kerry-born Tom Crean ran away from home as a youth, and joined Scott's Discovery voyage in December 1901, not returning to England until 1904. He went back to the Antarctic with Scott on his fateful attempt on the South Pole, eventually having to bury him. By now one of the most experienced men in this extreme climate, he was invited to join Scott's great rival Shackleton on his Endurance expedition. Once again, he played a leading role, and sailed in the open James Caird across the southern ocean to South Georgia to sound the alarm for the stranded team in the Antarctic. After playing this heroic role in saving the mission, Crean retired to live quietly with his family in Ireland.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #773976 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 344 pages

Sara Wheeler, Evening Standard
'Gripping'

About the Author
Michael Smith is now a freelance journalist having worked for the Guardian, Observer and Evening Standard for more than twenty years on their business and politics pages. He is married with two children.

Customer Reviews

Superb biography of forgotten Antartic hero
The first stiking thing about this book is Frank Hurley's magnificent photograph of Crean on the cover. This picture conveys as toughness and resoluteness that characterized Crean's adventures - if ever a book can be judged by its cover, this is it.

The story of Shackleton's expedition to the Antartic has had a huge revival in that past few years, and Michael Smith is partly responsible for this in my view. From start to finsh, I enjoyed every page of this story which will add another interesting view to students/readers of Antartic explorations. Crean's participation in what must be one of the 20th centuries survival stories is heroic. Smith's book now ensures that Crean is no longer an unsung hero.

Highly recommended!

Introduction to Antarctic Exploration
A wonderful tale, told simply and brilliantly. Crean's story is one of almost unbelievable bravery, dedication and (excuse the pun) endurance. A chance purchase which has made an indelible impression upon me. I now cannot get enough of the Antarctic, its heroes, ghosts and the sheer power of the continent itself. For anyone interested in the human psyche I would recommend this book highly. For anyone interested in Antarctic exploration it is a must.

Excellent Read - Not for the faint hearted
How did they survive? This book is a must for all who love the wild side of exploring and adventure. Not only did Tom Crean go to the antartic once, he went three times and each time was more dangerous and exciting than the previous. Michael Smith recounts the travels of one amazing Irish man who survived three expeditions to the Antartic and who almost single handedly saved the lives of many fellow explorers on more than one occasion. A book impossible to put down once the first page is read and one which will leave an everlasting impression.