An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackleton and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science

Edward J. Larson

Published by Yale University Press 2011

An Empire of Ice

Scott, Shackleton and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science

Edward J. Larson

https://doi.org/10.12987/9780300159769

Overview
Contents

About this book

Published to coincide with the centenary of the first expeditions to reach the South Pole, An Empire of Ice presents a fascinating new take on Antarctic exploration. Retold with added information, it's the first book to place the famed voyages of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, his British rivals Robert Scott and Ernest Shackleton, and others in a larger scientific, social, and geopolitical context.

Efficient, well prepared, and focused solely on the goal of getting to his destination and back, Amundsen has earned his place in history as the first to reach the South Pole. Scott, meanwhile, has been reduced in the public mind to a dashing incompetent who stands for little more than relentless perseverance in the face of inevitable defeat. An Empire of Ice offers a new perspective on the Antarctic expeditions of the early twentieth century by looking at the British efforts for what they actually were: massive scientific enterprises in which reaching the South Pole was but a spectacular sideshow. By focusing on the larger purpose, Edward Larson deepens our appreciation of the explorers' achievements, shares little-known stories, and shows what the Heroic Age of Antarctic discovery was really about.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
CONTENTS Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
PREFACE Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
CHAPTER 1: “Three Cheers for the Dogs” Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
CHAPTER 2: A Compass Pointing South Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	27
CHAPTER 3: The Empire’s Mapmaker Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	61
CHAPTER 4: In Challenger’s Wake Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	95
CHAPTER 5: Taking the Measure of Men Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	133
CHAPTER 6: March to the Penguins Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	173
CHAPTER 7: Discovering a Continent’s Past Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	211
CHAPTER 8: The Meaning of Ice Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	247
EPILOGUE: Heroes’ Requiem Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	287
NOTES Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	295
INDEX Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	317

Language: English
Publisher: Yale University Press
Pages
- Main content: 288
Illustrations
- Other: 40 b/w

eBook

Published: May 31, 2011
ISBN: 9780300159769