To The South Pole Captain Scott's Own Story Told From His Journals

To the South PoleCaptainScott’sOwnStory.Published by Rearden Publishing Somuch has been written about Scott’s final and tragic expedition that it canbecome difficult to learn anything further, even from a fresh insight from yet anotherbook. However,this book proves my previously held views to be wrong. Asan independent book reviewer with first-hand experience of working, living andwintering in the Antarctic and reviewing many books of Antarctic research andexploration I can say that so many of the photographs I’ve never seen before.From the beginning, the book addresses the common misconception that theprimary rationale underpinning this expedition was a ‘dash to the pole’ and thereby glory. This book goes some way todispel this misconception and identifies the scientific aspects of what was, avery well-planned expedition. Myonly criticism is in the structure of some of the pages in the book. I feelthat the font size is a little on the small size and may be off-putting to somereaders. In addition, text is frequently ‘wrapped around’ photographsdisrupting the flow of the text, which although informative and relevantaffects the structure of the story being told. Themajor strength of the book lies in the photographs, many of which have seldombeen seen  before, and which breathe lifeto this ill-fated expedition. Thisbook written in Scott’s own words provide an authentic edge to an oft repeatedtale of heroism and suffering in one of the most hostile environments on thisplanet. The experiences of the earlypolar explorers (Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen etc) still excite and enthusepeoples respect and ambition. It is quite proper that these people arerespected and remembered as they set about their quest with no expectation of rescue.This factor alone would deter many people and so their comments (in their ownwords) give an insight into their thought process which are unique This book surpasses other reportsabout Scott’s last expedition because of its unique insight into the rationaleof the major ‘players’. This alone raises this book to a level of understandingthat is head and shoulders above other books covering the same subject. Reviewed by Steve Wroe  ex British Antarctic Survey (Retired)