An Empire of Ice

January 14, 2013
While the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration lasted from 1897-1922, Pulitzer-winner Larson (A Magnificent Catastrophe) focuses on the British Antarctic expeditions prior to World War I in his study of the era and its accomplishments. British explorers Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton take center stage, joined by Norwegian Roald Amundsen, as Larson examines the numerous attempts to reach the South Pole, including Scottâs tragic last journey and Amundsenâs victory. Transcending those tales, he analyzes how these missions furthered science, dividing his narrative into various disciplines: from oceanography to geology, biology to magnetism, we see how these missions were as much about "how science gave meaning to adventure" as they were a "dash to the South Pole." While Scottâs last expedition "came to stand for little more than relentless perseverance in the face of inevitable defeat," Larson skillfully details how these missions expanded knowledge of Antarctica across an array of fields, and how Scott sacrificed everything to bring home a few more specimens. The result is an insightful, accessible, enlightening account of an age when exploration "reflected the values of the Edwardian age: fitness and science mattered." b&w photos. Agent: B.G. Dilworth, B.G. Dilworth Agency.

April 15, 2011

Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Larson (History/Pepperdine Univ.; A Magnificent Catastrophe: The Tumultuous Election of 1800, America's First Presidential Campaign, 2007, etc.) sheds new light on the famous three-way race to the South Pole.

Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was the first to reach the pole, in 1912—returning in triumph to tell the tale—while British standard-bearer Robert Scott lagged behind by two weeks and perished on the ice. However, writes the author, this was not a defeat for Britain. While the Norwegian's primary aim was to "bag poles," the primary mission of the two British adventurers, Scott and Ernest Shackleton, was to carry out scientific research. This they did admirably, laying the groundwork for modern research in such diverse fields as marine biology, meteorology and glaciology. The story is not only about science, writes Larson, but "also about power and politics, culture and commerce; hubris and heroism at the end of the Earth." At the close of a London lecture sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society where Amundsen was the featured speaker, a cheer was raised for his dogs, "without whom," in the words of Lord Curzon, "Captain Amundsen would never have got to the Pole." In fact, Larson writes, the British ethos at the time centered on its imperial grandeur. The shock of defeat in the Boer war was counterbalanced by tales of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and the three major expeditions by Scott and Shakleton, during which the explorers suffered terrible privation wintering on the ice with seal meat as their only food.

A satisfying tale of adventure and exploration.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

May 15, 2011

Pulitzer winner Larson (history, Peperdine Univ.; Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion) chronicles Britain's quest to conquer the unknown worlds of the North and South Poles, Africa's interior, and the ocean floor. Though it was said to be all in the name of science--and the explorations indeed did increase scientific knowledge manyfold--a good portion of the obsessive zeal to map new lands was rooted in potential commerce, personal glory, and further empowering an empire in decline. Larson follows the triumphs and disasters of Robert Scott, Ernest Shackleton, David Livingston, Roald Amundsen, and numerous other intrepid explorers, who risked life and limb to be the first to leave footprints in uncharted territory. These intrepid few suffered unimaginable hardships to achieve their goals--in fur booties and mittens, these guys were tough! VERDICT The narrative is a bit disjointed, but the author provides an undeniably exciting account without overpowering the reader with too much detail. Fans of these explorers, science heads, and armchair travelers will find this a worthwhile and thrilling read.--Mike Rogers, Library Journal

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2011
Larson sees a problem requiring resolution in accounts of the great expeditions to the South Pole that culminated in Norwegian Roald Amundsens triumph in 1911. He believes they overemphasize the competition to be first to 90-degrees south, relegating the expeditions scientific achievements to secondary importance. His is not a watertight position, he tacitly admits, since Amundsen was all about polar primacy. But Larson proves his point by presenting three British projects undertaken from 1901 to 1912. Glory-seeking was not enough for British authorities to fund them. Arbiters like the Royal Geographic Society demanded scientific rationales, so expeditions led by Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton included scientists. Their field research forms the body of Larsons text, which he organizes by discipline, for example, geology, a historical summary of which precedes recounting the considerable discoveries the scientists made in Antarctica. Larson succeeds in this approach to the popular subject of polar exploration by wrapping the science in plenty of dangerous drama to keep readers engaged.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)