The Last Place on Earth (Modern Library Exploration) | Roland Huntford

The Last Place on Earth (Modern Library Exploration) | Roland Huntford | Eye-opening analysis of events

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The Last Place on ...

	The Last Place on Earth (Modern Library Exploration) Roland Huntford Modern Library, 1999 - 640 pages average customer review:based on 77 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

One of the best books on Polar exploration

This book was an excellent look at two separate and very unequal expeditions to the South Pole. More importnatly, it focuses on the two men that led these expeditions, Scott and Amundsen. While being full of small details, the writing doesn't get bogged down. The focus, rather, is on the difference in managment styles. Amundsen comes across as a diligent planner, who took every contingency into consideration. Scott, meanwhile, is portrayed as somewhat foolish in his lack of planning and foresight. It would be comic if it wasn't so tragic.

A must read for any polar exploration buff.

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Eye-opening analysis of events

Until I read this book, I used to believe that Scott was one of the bravest of Polar explorers. Now, I know what a complete idiot he was. The book clearly and in my opinion, unbiasedly, explains his shortcomings and clearly demonstrates that he was the wrong person to lead an undertaking of such immensity. This book also made me realize what a great explorer and leader Amundsen was. All in all, a refreshing analysis of the two expeditions. This book gives you two great stories for the price of one.

Amundsen Triumphant

This book is, by far, one of the most interesting reads ever. Huntford is unsparing in his demystification of Scott, and his narrative is thoroughly compelling. Scott comes across as an arrogant tyrant who swept into the Antarctic with the wrong men, the wrong equipment, the wrong food, and the wrong animals. His fate was preordained and one is left with little sympathy for his plight. Amundsen gained the Pole because he was better prepared, and a far more excellent judge of men.

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Excellent

Antarctic history is my passion, but even for those who do not share this peculiar interest, Mr. Huntford's examination of the quest for the South Pole is riveting. Exhaustive research in the hands of a less capable writer is deadly boring, even to a devotee of the subject matter. Thank goodness this important research was presented by such an eloquent author. It was a very sad day for me when I finished reading this book.

A riveting read but questionable

The gripping tale of the 'race' to the South Pole from 1910-1912 is told with a deft hand at narrative by Roland Huntford. It is one of those biographical pieces (It also serves as a bio on Scott and Amundsen) which makes you almost believe that you are there with these men.
In saying this however (And I stress that I am a Shackleton person and don't rate Scott much) I question how exact it is in that there is so much debunking of Scott that Huntford seems to just stop short of accusing him of murder (I am also amazed that Sir Peter Scott did not sue Huntford when the book first came out, it says much about the man)with regards to Oates walking to his death. I do agree that Amundsen was a brilliant tactician at Polar exploration and Scott was an arrogant incompetent, but Amundsen was also a bit of a glory-seeking oppurtunist and Scott did have some decent remarkable talents, telling a good story for one, that would have been best suited in areas other than Polar exploration. If the RGS, Markham, Scott etc.. had a dangerous fault it was that they allowed emotions pervade areas where sentimentality was destructive.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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