Expeditions: popular accounts Books

Book SynopsisNigel Barley travels to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia to live among the Torajan people, known for their spectacular buildings and elaborate ancestor cults. At last he is following his own advice to students, to do their anthropological fieldwork `somewhere where the inhabitants are beautiful, friendly, where you would like the food and there are nice flowers. With his customary wit and delight in the telling detail, he takes the reader deep into this complex but adaptable society. The mutual warmth of his friendships allows Barley to reverse the habitual patterns of anthropology. He becomes host to four Torajan carvers in London, invited to build a traditional rice barn at the Museum of Mankind. The observer becomes the observed, and it is Barley s turn to explain the absurd complexities of an English city to his bemused but tolerant guests in a magnificent, self critical finale. Not a Hazardous Sport provides a magnificent end to a trilogy of anthropological journeys that began with The Innocent Anthropologist and A Plague of Caterpillars (both published by Eland). A postscript, penned thirty years after these adventures had been concluded, confirms the rich arc of this storyline of role reversals.

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Book SynopsisErnest Shackleton is one of history’s great explorers, an extraordinary character who pioneered the path to the South Pole over 100 years ago and became a dominant figure in Antarctic discovery. A charismatic personality, his incredible adventures on four expeditions have captivated generations and inspired a dynamic, modern following in business leadership. None more so than the Endurance mission, where Shackleton’s commanding presence saved the lives of his crew when their ship was crushed by ice and they were turned out on to the savage frozen landscape. But Shackleton was a flawed character whose chaotic private life, marked by romantic affairs, unfulfilled ambitions, overwhelming debts and failed business ventures, contrasted with his celebrity status as a leading explorer. Drawing on extensive research of original diaries and personal correspondence, Michael Smith's definitive biography brings a fresh perspective to our understanding of this complex man and the heroic age of polar exploration.Trade Review'a scholarly though very readable tome' * The Good Book Guide *'Smith, in illuminating this unforgettable figure, brings his own considerable scholarship in the field to the story' -- Caroline Moorehead * Wall Street Journal *‘Fascinating’ * Bookseller *‘A fascinating book - warm, complex, engaging – just like the man himself. This absorbing new biography strips away the myths and misconceptions to reveal one of the twentieth century’s most important explorers in all his flawed genius.’ * Mick Conefrey, author of Everest, 1953 *"The epic struggles, heroics and unbelieveable hardships of the voyages are wonderfully told. Compulsive reading." * The Irish Times on An Unsung Hero *'Perhaps the most riveting biography I've ever read.' * Orlando Sentinel on An Unsung Hero *

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Book Synopsis‘Inspired’, ‘enthralling’ and ‘stylish’ are just some of the words used to describe the first edition of Bearback. Now in paperback, Pat Garrod’s remarkable story is set to be discovered by even more travellers.. Imagine jacking it all in, packing your life into a 41-litre pannier and riding into the sunset. Bearback is the story of two GPs who did just that, downing stethoscopes to take off on their motorcycle, The Bear, to see the world. Across the deserts of Africa, over the mountains of the Andes, deep into the jungles of Indochina, and beyond the Arctic Circle; 100,000 miles through six continents and 64 countries. A circumnavigation of epic proportion and entirely unsupported, it was to become one of the longest journeys ever undertaken by a couple on one motorcycle, a journey destined to change their lives forever.Trade Review‘An inspired travelogue, dispelling the myth that remarkable journeys are out of your grasp’ -- National Geographic TravellerBelts along at a cracking pace. Stylish and good quality’ -- RIDE Magazine

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Book SynopsisLeaving her job in London, selling her home, leaving family & friends, Lesley travelled to India to be a volunteer teacher in a vocational training centre in Northern India. She learnt of the struggles Tibetan children endure, escaping torture, violence and oppression by the Chinese authorities in their homeland, Tibet. They witnessed the torture and murder of parents, brothers and uncles. They are educated in Tibetan schools in India, many are orphans and destitute, For 2 years Lesley lived with the Tibetan community in the VTC and then a mountain village, Rajpur, undertaking voluntary work and raising sponsorship to support the children s education. In this book Lesley describes her own ups and downs of living with both Indian and Tibetan cultures and recounts the poignant stories of the children, describing in their own words the suffering they escaped and what their hopes are for the future.

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Book SynopsisNEW YORK TIMES 100 NOTABLE BOOKS OF 2017Over two full years, Dromgoole, the Artistic Director of the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and the Globe players toured all seven continents, and almost 200 countries, performing the Bard's most famous play. They set their stage in sprawling refugee camps, grand Baltic palaces and heaving marketplaces - despite food poisoning in Mexico, an Ebola epidemic in West Africa and political upheaval in Ukraine. Hamlet: Globe to Globe tells the story of this unprecedented theatrical adventure, in which Dromgoole shows us the world through the prism of Shakespeare's universal drama, and asks how a 400-year-old tragedy can bring the world closer together.Trade ReviewRichly entertaining . . . His love of language is contagious . . . the storytelling segues into scholarship with extraordinary skill from the off as he ricochets the modern world with a 400-year-old text * * The Times * *Taking in sandblown refugee camps, the hallucinatory effects of performing with chronic food poisoning in Mexico City and the politically-charged atmosphere of an auditorium in Ukraine on an election's eve, it is an entertaining, moving and informative read * * Evening Standard * *Dromgoole's witty account offers insight about the play and its enduring appeal * * New York Times, 100 Notable Books of 2017 * *Full of life lessons . . . Erudite and fascinating . . . There's a real sense of the camaraderie and sheer fun of assembling a company and, quite literally, putting the show on wherever they can . . . The universal themes explored in the play take on a new and thrilling resonance, as the actors learn as much from their audiences as vice versa . . . Truly compelling * * Observer * *A delightfully idiosyncratic account of the Globe's vagabond mission to perform Hamlet in every country in the world . . . the joy of the book is Dromgoole's gusto . . . the way he meanders from personal anecdote to wider textual or cultural significance makes his book feel like a shaggy-dog documentary that you just don't want to end **** * * Daily Telegraph * *Compulsively readable * * New York Times * *Delivers sharp insights into a play Dromgoole has spent a lifetime turning over in his mind * * Guardian * *This deeply humane, consistently enthralling account of a theatrical odyssey encompasses travelogue and literary criticism, theatre history and introspective narrative, political commentary and philosophical reflection with beguiling readability -- Sir Stanley WellsDominic Dromgoole's recounting of the Globe Theatre's exhausting global tour of Hamlet is exhilarating. The playing company's intrepid journey around the world - performing Hamlet's own troubled journey - succeeds in making the familiar unfamiliar and enables in turn a deeply illuminating journey into the play itself. -- James Shapiro, author of 1599 and 1606An epic journey which explores how a 400-year-old play can help to make sense of the modern world * * Sunday Post * *Fascinating * * Spectator * *Dromgoole and his company belong in the ancient tradition of strolling players - quick-witted and wise, generous, hard-drinking and open. His book is written in that spirit. It is bold and excited, hopeful, dashing . . . By the time we reach the final show back on London's Southbank, it is a wrench to part his company * * Financial Times * *Irresistible . . . a comic epic -- Gary Taylor * * Washington Post * *The tireless Dromgoole goes on a journey that would kill most of us, and connects our greatest poet to every corner of the human experience. Utterly extraordinary -- Emma ThompsonThis is an amazing story about a bold and eye-popping journey. I loved it. Dominic Dromgoole writes about Shakespeare and touring the globe the way he ran The Globe - with passion, insight, relish and irresistible humour -- Sir Nicholas Hytner, The Artistic Director of London’s National TheatreCompelling . . . proving, as Dromgoole had hoped, that this powerful tragedy not only has the ability to transcend time but to cross borders as well * * National Geographic * *In Dromgoole's breakneck journey from a retractable-roof theater in Poland to a crammed cream-and-gold palace in Peru to a sweltering, bat-infested auditorium in Cambodia, the narrative covers an astonishing swath of world-girdling geography . . . No chronicle ever gave more compelling meaning to Shakespeare's conviction that 'all the world's a stage' * * Booklist * *[A] thoroughly enjoyable and charming story . . . Besides detailing the two-year tour itself, it's a story of the play, its themes and language, famous past players, and how it has been performed and received over the years . . . Sly, witty, and delightful - a glorious Shakespearean romp * * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) * *Dromgoole is wise and witty; thoughtful, self-assured, even cocky . . . But he is never dull. His mission was to bring Hamlet to the world to show that Hamlet is the world, and he succeeded admirably. A wide readership, not just Shakespeare buffs and scholars, can enjoy this book * * Publishers Weekly * *Praise for WILL AND ME:'An absolute delight . . . utterly original and relishable' * * Sunday Times * *Friendly, inclusive, I warmed to it immediately . . . A terrific book * * Evening Standard * *Superb . . . thrillingly entertaining . . . throbs with vigour, honesty and passion * * Daily Telegraph * *Dromgoole is to the bard what Nick Hornby is to football * * Sunday Telegraph * *A record of a lifelong obsession - articulate, intelligent and passionately set down . . . Dromgoole's enthusiasm has a sincerity and warmth that are infectious * * Observer * *Irresistibly seductive * * Independent on Sunday * *

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Book SynopsisThe story of the 1882 Palmer Sinai Expedition, a spying and terrorist mission that ended in the murder of its participants and was one of the great cause celebre of the nineteenth century. Just before sunset on August 8th 1882 HMS Cockatrice, a small paddle wheel gunboat, appeared off the Egyptian shore. A rowing boat was lowered down its side and slowly moved towards the beach. On its arrival, six men and a teenage boy alighted. Three of the group were British, all dressed as Arabs, two were Bedouin tribesmen, one a Jew and one a Syrian. The following morning, this mismatched party set off for the desert, taking with them two boxes of dynamite and GBP3,000 in gold coin. Five of them were never seen again. An historical 'who-done-it', an adventure story, a history of the Anglo-Egyptian War and a biography of those involved in the controversy, /These Chivalrous Brothers/ explores the gulf between the Imperial ideal and reality and provides an insight into the character of the men who built the Empire. Through the biographies, it also throws light on such disparate topics as the early history of spying, spiritualism, female hysteria, biblical archaeology, various African uprisings, the Boer War and the hunt for 'Jack the Ripper'.

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Book SynopsisIf you had something really important to shout about, you could do worse than to climb to the point furthest from the centre of the Earth - some 2,150 metres higher than the summit of Everest - to do it. Their goal was to raise money and awareness to help fund new schools in Tibet. Their mission was to shout out peace messages they had collected from children around the world in the lead up to the Millennium. They wanted to promote Earth Peace by highlighting Tibet and the Dalai Lama's ideals. The team comprised Tess Burrows, a mother of three in her 50s; Migmar, a young Tibetan prepared to do anything for his country but who had never been on a mountain before; and two accomplished mountaineers in their 60s. For Tess, it became a struggle of body and mind, as she was symbolically compelled towards the highest point within herself.

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Book SynopsisAre you ready to take a walk on the seriously wild side? In the early 1980s, John Pakenham walked a total of 1,500 miles, with a series of companions from the local Turkana and Samburu tribes and their long-suffering donkeys, around a lake in the Great Rift Valley of northern Kenya. Repeatedly beset by extreme thirst and dehydration, bitterly cold torrential rains, poisonous spiders, vindictive mosquitoes and the ever-present threat of bandits, not to mention a fatal fight between two of his companions, he was lucky to live to tell his tale. Pakenham's account provides a rare glimpse of a tough terrain and its even tougher inhabitants, where every day was a battle for survival. This is extreme travel that, four decades on, still packs a powerful punch.Trade Review‘A lock-down read that transports you to lesser explored lands, packs a powerful punch and examines the attraction to extreme travel’ – The Focus

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Book SynopsisDecember, 2014: In the forbidding waters off Antarctica, Captain Hammarstedt of the Bob Barker embarks on a voyage unlike any seen before. Across ten thousand miles of hazardous seas, Hammerstedt's crew will relentlessly pursue the Thunder - an infamous illegal fishing ship - for what will become the longest chase in maritime history. Wanted by Interpol, the Thunder has for years evaded justice: accumulating millions in profits, hunting endangered species and ruthlessly destroying ocean habitats. The authors follow this incredible expedition from the beginning. But even as seasoned journalists, they cannot anticipate what the chase will uncover, as the wake of the Thunder leads them to trail of criminal kingpins, rampant corruption, modern slavery and an international community content to turn a blind eye. Very soon, catching Thunder becomes more than a chase but a pursuit of the truth itself and a symbolic race to preserve the well-being of our planet. A Scandinavian bestseller, Catching Thunder is a remarkable true story of courage and perseverance, and a wake-up call to act against the destruction of our environments.Trade Review'This 110-day, round-the-world pursuit of a rogue trawler reads like a noir thriller ... recorded with flair and precision. The book promises all the pleasures of a crime novel, but it is after bigger game.' 5/5* Telegraph; 'An uproarious adventure - one predicated on the protestors’ ferocious sense of moral rectitude. Engdal and Sæter are energetic writers with a sense of pace and cinematic detail … Catching Thunder is an exciting read.' Spectator; 'A gripping story ... A clarion call for those who want to save our seas.' National Geographic Traveller; 'A true story that reads like a spy novel, peppered with scary organized crime villains, charismatic environmental activists and Interpol agents, and enough tidbits about sailing treacherous seas, commercial fishing, and endangered species to satisfy the most dedicated nautical adventure fan.' 5/5* Foreword Reviews; 'This is a modern pirate story, but the plunder isn't pieces of eight – it's the Patagonian Toothfish, as valuable as narcotics … A solid piece of collaborative journalism.' Sydney Morning Herald; `True adventure, life and death moments, and real life heroism: what reader could ask for more?’ Ingrid Newkirk, President, PETA; 'Engdal and Sæter are to journalism what Jagger and Richards are to rock and roll – sexy, irreverent and brilliant.' Luke Harding, Guardian journalist and author of The Snowden Files; `This is the story of our time: the blind destruction of the oceans and our ecosphere, and the actions of those with the courage to stand up and confront it.’ Peter Heller, author of The Whale Warriors and Celine; `The pursuit of the Thunder has become celebrated folklore by those of us fighting to protect our oceans. This is a captivating story, one which highlights the weaknesses in the global system but also, ultimately, gives us hope.’ Tony Long, CEO, Global Fishing WatchTable of Contents1. The Pirate2. "The Bandit 6"3. Operation Icefish4. The Occupation5. Hot Pursuit6. Operation Spillway7. The Ice8. Vesturvon9. The Pirate Capital10. The Storm11. The Secret Channel12. The Longest Day13. The Shipmaster14. Desolation Island15. The Phantom Ship16. The Wall of Death17. The World Record18. "The Only Sheriff in Town"19. The Flying Mariner20. A Bloody Nightmare21. La Mafia Gallega22. God's Fingerprint23. Buenas Tardes, Bob Barker24. Message in a Bottle25. Raid on the High Seas26. Operation Sparrow27. Exercise Good Hope28. The Bird of Ill Omen29. The Wanderer30. The Man in the Arena31. The Third Ship32. "You Are Nothing"33. The Snake in Paradise34. The Armpit of Africa35. Mayday36. A Weird Dream37. A Last Resort38. The Island of Rumours39. 48 Hours40. Three Condemned Men41. The Luck of the Draw42. The Escape43. The Unluckiest Ship in the World44. The Judgment45. Prisoners' Island46. The Man from Mongolia47. The Last Viking48. Operation Yuyus49. The Tiantai Mystery50. A Dirty Business51. The Showdown52. The Madonna and the Octopus53. The Final Act

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Book SynopsisTim Moore - indefatigable travelling everyman – switches two wheels for four as he journeys across Trumpland in an original Model T Ford.‘Alarmingly full of incident, very funny – even mildly transformative’ Daily MailLacking even the most basic mechanical knowhow, Tim Moore sets out to cross Trumpland USA in an original Model T Ford. Armed only with a fan belt made of cotton, wooden wheels and a trunkload of ‘wise-ass Limey liberal gumption’, his route takes him exclusively through Donald-voting counties, meeting the everyday folks who voted red along the way.He meets a people defined by extraordinary generosity, willing to shift heaven and earth to keep him on the road. And yet, this is clearly a nation in conflict with itself: citizens ‘tooling up’ in reaction to ever-increasing security fears; a healthcare system creaking to support sugar-loaded soda lovers; a disintegrating rust belt all but forgotten by the warring media and political classes.With his trademark blend of slapstick humour, affable insight and butt-clenching peril, Tim Moore invites us on an unforgettable road trip through America. Buckle up!Trade ReviewAn easy and enjoyable read, it’s as much about the roadtrip in a vintage car as it is observations on the current political climate in America * Classic Ford *Moore… [is] very good at soaking up the strangeness of America and relating it to readers with an easy-going observational humour that only threatens to desert him when he contemplates the excesses of the current administration -- Alistair Mabbott * The Herald *Hilarious and scary often in equal measure -- Nat Barnes * Daily Express *This is The Wizard of Oz in reverse – an attempt to uncover the source of what went wrong in America… What lingers is the stories of communities brimming with people who worked like dogs to learn a trade in a country they believed would reward them -- Jane Graham * Big Issue *Alarmingly full of incident, very funny – even mildly transformative -- Jane Shilling * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThis is a book about expedition, adventure, our thirst for knowledge and pushing the limits of human endurance.From the navigational instruments that have led us through unknown lands, to the advanced engineering that carried us into the depths of the ocean, to the rocket science that propelled us into space, science and adventure have always been inextricably linked. Both are at the heart of everything we now know about the complex universe we find ourselves in.From the groundbreaking sea voyage in 1735 that settled the debate raging between Descartes and Newton about the shape of the earth to the balloon ride that led to the discovery of cosmic rays, we have pushed the limits of what’s possible, both on our planet and beyond the clouds.The Little Book of Big Explorations is a collection of some of the most daring and eye-opening adventures in history that have changed the way we view the world, as well as a look at what’s still to be discovered. Our insatiable curiosity has driven our survival as a species and can be charted through the centuries by these incredible voyages of discovery.Trade ReviewWith a delicate touch and deep understanding of the topic, Osman makes a compelling case to show how our great leaps into the unknown have consistently contributed to scientific discoveries that continue to change the way we interact with the world ... does a wonderful job of showing both how far we’ve come and how much more there is to discover. * Leon McCarron *A thoughtful smorgasbord of scientific expeditions made bite-sized. Perfect for the curious adventurers in your life. * Pip Stewart *

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Book SynopsisIn November 1915, Sir Ernest Shackleton watched horrified as the grinding ice floes of the Weddell Sea squeezed the life from his ship, Endurance. Caught in the chaos of splintered wood, buckled metalwork and tangled rigging lay Shackleton’s dream of being the first man to complete the crossing of Antarctica. Shackleton would not live to make a second attempt – but his dream endured.Shackleton’s Dream tells for the first time the story of the British Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by Vivian Fuchs and Sir Edmund Hillary. Forty years after the loss of Endurance, they set out to succeed where Shackleton had so heroically failed. Using tracked vehicles and converted farm tractors in place of Shackleton’s man-hauled sledges, they faced a colossal challenge: a perilous 2,000-mile journey across the most demanding landscape on the planet.This epic adventure saw two giants of twentieth-century exploration pitted not only against Nature at her most hostile, but also against each other. Planned as a historic (and scientific) continental crossing, the expedition would eventually develop into a dramatic ‘Race to the South Pole’ – a contest as controversial as that of Scott and Amundsen more than four decades earlier.Trade Review‘Extraordinary. A story that will prove to anyone who doubts it, that courage, determination, danger and disaster remain as much a part of Antarctic exploration in the Modern Age as in the Heroic Era’ -- Sir Ranulph Fiennes -- Sir Ranulph Fiennes

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Book Synopsis‘James Seay Dean is the noted authority on these voyages … he provides a sympathetic treatment of life aboard ship in some of the most challenging circumstances these redoubtable sailors faced “beyond the line”.’ – Professor Barry Gough, maritime historian ‘A fascinating and informative account of the development of Tudor and Stuart sailing ships. Its examination of their architecture, sailing, and tactics, especially as it is set within the international political context, makes a most interesting story.’ – Bryan Barrett, Commander RN, ret. From jacktar to captain, what was life like aboard an Elizabethan ship? How did the men survive tropical heat, storms, bad water, rotten food, disease, poor navigation, shifting cargoes and enemy fire? Would a sailor return alive? Sea Dogs follows in the footsteps of the average sailor, drawing from the accounts of sixteenth-century and early seventeenth-century ocean voyages to convey the realities of everyday life aboard the galleons sailing between England and the West Indies and beyond. Celebrating the extraordinary drive and courage of those early sailors who left the familiarity of their English estuaries for the dangers of the Cabo Verde and the Caribbean, the Rivers Amazonas and Orinoco, and the Strait of Magellan, and their remarkable achievements, Sea Dogs is essential reading for anyone with an interest in English maritime heritage.

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Book SynopsisSoldiers and sailors, geographers and geologists, submariners and balloonists all flocked to Antarctica during the ‘Heroic Age’ of Polar exploration. No one better represented this eclectic band than Frank Bickerton, engineer on Douglas Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) of 1911–14. A true pioneer of Antarctic exploration, he piloted the expedition’s ‘air-tractor’, established the first crucial wireless link between Antarctica and the rest of the world, and discovered one of the first meteorites ever to be found on the continent.Treasure-hunter, explorer, fighter pilot, entrepreneur, big-game hunter and movie-maker, Bickerton not only made a major contribution to the success of the AAE, but was also recruited by Ernest Shackleton for his ill-fated Endurance Expedition, dug for pirate gold on Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island, survived bloody dogfights over the Western Front during the First World War, and flirted with the glittering world of 1920s Hollywood.In Born Adventurer, historian Stephen Haddelsey draws on unique access to family papers, journals and letters to provide a thrilling account of Bickerton’s rich and colourful life.

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Book Synopsis‘A riveting detective story … Revelation follows revelation.’ – Benedict Allen, author, explorer and TV presenterJames Fitzjames was a hero of the early nineteenth-century Royal Navy. A charismatic man with a wicked sense of humour, he pursued his naval career with wily determination. When he joined the Franklin Expedition he thought he would make his name; instead the expedition completely disappeared and he never returned. Its fate is one of history’s great unsolved mysteries, as were the origins and background of James Fitzjames – until now.Fitzjames packed a great deal into his thirty-two years, from trips down the Euphrates to fighting with spectacular bravery in Syria and China. But he was not what he seemed. He concealed several secrets, including the scandal of his birth, the source of his influence and his plans for after the Franklin Expedition.In this definitive biography of the captain of HMS Erebus, William Battersby draws extensively on Fitzjames’ personal letters and journals, as well as naval records, to strip away 200 years of misinformation, enabling us to understand for the first time this intriguing man and his significance.Trade ReviewWilliam Battersby’s work is the first to delve with any depth into the life of the third-in-command (of the Franklin Expedition) – James Fitzjames. Through painstaking research Battersby has detailed the life of the ambitious, accomplished and personable young naval officer. -- David WoodmanI commend this intriguing and interesting life of James Fitzjames, captain of HMS Erebus, during her ill-fated Arctic voyage, under Sir John Franklin’s overall command. -- Ann SavoursA riveting detective story that reveals a whole host of compelling details about the nature of nineteenth-century maritime endeavour, and the fated, enigmatic Captain Fitzjames … Revelation follows revelation – a worthy addition to the distinguished literature on the greatest Arctic naval disaster in history. -- Benedict AllenA well-crafted, highly readable biography. -- William Barr * Arctic *

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Book SynopsisRobert Mads Anderson is an elite mountaineer with a solitary goal: to conquer Everest. After nearly getting killed on his first expedition, he led a team up a new route on the Kangshung Face without oxygen or Sherpa support, climbed solo on the remote North Face, and finally guided a team to the top of the world.Incorporating a who’s who of internationally recognised climbers, including Stephen Venables, Reinhold Messner and Chris Bonington, Nine Lives traces the story of Everest, from the big, nationally supported expeditions of the 1980s; through the small teams forging new routes and climbing solo; to the commercially guided expeditions of today.Set against the majestic backdrop of the world’s tallest peak, Anderson’s nine Everest expeditions over eighteen years define what truly drives a human being to the greatest of heights. With a foreword by Peter Hillary and 32 pages of colour photography, in Nine Lives Robert Mads Anderson offers his personal account of the world’s highest mountain.Trade Review‘An amazing story capturing the essence of life’s moments climbing on Everest.’ (Chris Bonington)‘Robert’s story of climbing on all three sides of Everest is full of narrow escapes. But what really shines out is the canny wisdom, courage, determination and sheer fun-loving chutzpah of a defiant optimist.’ (Stephen Venables)‘I must say this was some of the best writing I have enjoyed – ever! And not just mountaineering literature. Bravo!’ (Dr Peter Hackett, world-renowned high-altitude expert)‘I could not have climbed with any better team while being led by the best. Thank you for sharing your ninth life with me on the slopes and the summit of Mount Everest.’ (Sibusiso Vilane, first black African to summit Everest)‘Robert loves the environment of mountains, the challenge of mountains, the camaraderie built upon their flanks and the uncertainty that mountains toss into our lives.’ (Peter Hillary)

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Book Synopsis‘If we were guaranteed success in everything we tried then life would be pretty boring.’Mainstream news reports about climbing are dominated by action from the world’s highest mountains, more often than not focusing on tragedy and controversy. Far removed from this high-altitude circus, a group of visionary and specialist mountaineers are seeking out eye-catching objectives in the most remote corners of the greater ranges and attempting first ascents in lightweight style.Mick Fowler is the master of the small and remote Himalayan expedition. He has been at the forefront of this pioneering approach to alpinism for over thirty years, balancing his family life, a full-time job at the tax office and his annual trips to the greater ranges in order to attempt mountains that may never have been seen before by Westerners, let alone climbed by them.In No Easy Way, his third volume of climbing memoirs following Vertical Pleasure and On Thin Ice, Fowler recounts a series of expeditions to stunning mountains in China, India, Nepal and Tibet. Alongside partners including Paul Ramsden, Dave Turnbull, Andy Cave and Victor Saunders, he attempts striking, technically challenging unclimbed lines on Shiva, Gave Ding and Mugu Chuli – with a number of ascents winning prestigious Piolets d’Or, the Oscars of the mountaineering world.Written with his customary dry wit and understatement, he manages challenges away – the art of securing a permit for Tibet – and at home – his duties as Alpine Club president – all the while pursuing his passion for exploratory mountaineering.

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Book Synopsis'Modest, down to earth and full of humour, this is one of the best books about filming I've ever read.' MICHAEL PALIN'Extraordinary: Gavin's easy prose and gasp-making encounters make for a gripping and very funny read. It's a rollercoaster ride with a complete professional. I loved it.' JOANNA LUMLEY'[Gavin is] a great cameraman with infinite patience, but also a writer with great powers of observation and expression. Brilliant!' ALAN TITCHMARSH_________From Gavin Thurston, the award-winning Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II cameraman with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough comes extraordinary and adventurous true stories of what it takes to track down and film our planet's most captivating creatures.Gavin has been a wildlife photographer for over thirty years. Against a backdrop of modern world history, he's lurked in the shadows of some of the world's remotest places in order to capture footage of the animal kingdom's finest: prides of lions, silverback gorillas, capuchin monkeys, brown bears, grey whales, penguins, mosquitoes - you name it he's filmed it.Come behind the camera and discover the hours spent patiently waiting for the protagonists to appear; the inevitable dangers in the wings and the challenges faced and overcome; and the heart-warming, life-affirming moments the cameras miss as well as capture. What other readers are saying about Journeys in the Wild: 'It's touching, it's thought provoking and its emotional...Go pick it up. It's an absolute inspiration of a book.' Goodreads'Full of unbelievable anecdotes from decades of work, some absolutely hilarious, this book left me in complete wonder.' Goodreads'An amazing read and I would heartily recommend it to everyone I know.' GoodreadsTrade ReviewGavin's book is extraordinary: his easy prose and gasp-making encounters make for a gripping and very funny read. It's a rollercoaster ride with a complete professional. I loved it. * Joanna Lumley *Gavin Thurston's book has all sorts of strengths. His camera has captured some of the most eye-catching images of the natural world ever seen on television. And he can write. He brings the process home to us in a style that is modest, down to earth and full of humour. This is one of the best books about filming I've ever read. * Michael Palin *[Gavin is] a great cameraman with infinite patience, but also a writer with great powers of observation and expression. Brilliant! * Alan Titchmarsh *This is an absorbing account of a fascinating career. * BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE *His no-holds-barred memoir plunges you into the serendipities and perils of working in the remote wilderness, as he stands stock-still to 'hide' from short-sighted African elephants in Kenya, films demoiselle cranes flying 6 kilometres up above Nepal, or marvels at the hiss of Mauritania's dryland crocodiles. -- Barbara Kiser * NATURE *An enlightening glimpse beyond the lens. * TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT *

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Book SynopsisThis stunning and powerfully relevant book tells the history of Antarctica through 100 varied and fascinating objects drawn from collections around the world. Retracing the history of Antarctica through 100 varied and fascinating objects drawn from collections across the world, this beautiful and absorbing book is published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the first crossing into the Antarctic Circle by James Cook aboard Resolution, on 17th January 1773. It presents a gloriously visual history of Antarctica, from Terra Incognita to the legendary expeditions of Shackleton and Scott, to the frontline of climate change. One of the wildest and most beautiful places on the planet, Antarctica has no indigenous population or proprietor. Its awe-inspiring landscapes – unknown until just two centuries ago – have been the backdrop to feats of human endurance and tragedy, scientific discovery, and environmental research. Sourced from polar institutions and collections around the world, the objects that tell the story of this remarkable continent range from the iconic to the exotic, from the refreshingly mundane to the indispensable: - snow goggles adopted from Inuit technology by Amundsen - the lifeboat used by Shackleton and his crew - a bust of Lenin installed by the 3rd Soviet Antarctic Expedition - the Polar Star aircraft used in the first trans-Antarctic flight - a sealing club made from the penis bone of an elephant seal - the frozen beard as a symbol of Antarctic heroism and masculinity - ice cores containing up to 800,000 years of climate history This stunning book is both endlessly fascinating and a powerful demonstration of the extent to which Antarctic history is human history, and human future too.Trade ReviewLike Antarctica itself, this ‘History in 100 Objects’ is unpredictable and compelling. Generous - yet partial, skidding over vast surfaces, digging into detail. Read it all at once: or select at leisure. * Meredith Hooper *From the Aurora Australis to the weather balloon, authors Daniella McCahey and Jean de Pomereu have assembled a beautifully curated collection of objects pertaining to Antarctica. As they note, so poignantly, Antarctica is not one thing. * Klaus Dodds *Reading this book is like being in a very large polar museum with two expert and amusing companions as your guides. Compiled by a historian and an artist, Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects takes its reader on a tour of human engagement with the far south that is by turns educative, playful, poignant, ridiculous and disturbing, but always knowledgeably explained and illustrated. While some objects might be readily anticipated (sledges, diaries, maps), others will likely be a surprise (a canary, a wedding dress, a nuclear reactor). Ranging in scale from ships to krill-oil capsules, encompassing both the other-worldly (a meteorite) and the mundane (soap, a T-shirt), the objects demonstrate the national and cultural diversity of human encounter with the ice continent. While the book skips with delightful eclecticism between different periods, put together the object descriptions comprise a well-rounded introduction to the issues and events that have shaped human encounter with the far south. Readers who know little about the place will find it an excellent way into the continent, and 'Antarctic tragics' will enjoy the unexpected and sometimes surreal details that accompany every object. * Elizabeth Leane *Jean de Pomereu and Daniellie McCahey's handsome survey takes in the world's most remote region...illustrating in colour not just the selected objects, but accompanying painting, photographs and further examples. * The Telegraph *Tells the story of Antarctica through 100 objects from collections around the world...fascinating. * Daily Mirror *De Pomereu and McCahey's handsomely illustrated work examines the history of Antarctic expedition through famous and lesser-known objects. From crevasse detectors...to the whale skeleton assembled by conservationist Jacques Cousteau...it's filled with fascinating snapshots. -- Hannah Beckerman * The Observer *a gloriously visual history of the White Continent * Wanderlust *This stunning and powerfully relevant book tells the history of Antarctica through 100 varied and fascinating objects drawn from collections around the world. * Smithsonian Magazine *Jean de Pomereu and Daniella McCahey captured a marvelous overview of the history and environment of one of the world’s most unique locations in Antarctica: A History in 100 Objects. This captivating book is filled with fascinating images, each with its own unique story to tell about this engaging subject. * The Culture Buzz *a novel approach at showcasing Antarctica’s history * People's Friend *The 250th anniversary of the first documented crossing of the Antarctic circle is being marked with a new book that traces the continent's history via 100 artefacts from around the world. * New Scientist *Great photos and fascinating text make this a wonderful book for those who’ve been there and for those who still have Antarctica on their bucket list. -- Penny A Parrish * The Free-Lance Star *Become a polar explorer from the comfort of your own home with this fascinating book. Drawing together arresting photographs of 100 objects connected to the icy continent, it tells the story of the power of human endeavour. * BBC History Magazine *Broadens not only the diversity of people included in Antarctic history but also the interests of its readers, by providing the expected stories and then challenging them with new and different objects, contexts, and narratives. It makes specialist subjects accessible, but also pushes readers to think more deeply and more broadly about this continent. In their conclusion, de Pomereu and McCahey write, “One of our specific aims has been to break some of the clichés that often constrain Antarctic history,” and there is no doubt that they have succeeded. -- Henrietta Hammant * H-Water, H-Net Reviews *Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. World Map 2. Taoka 3. Chronometer 4. Commemorative Medal 5. Logbook 6. Fur Seal Clothing 7. Wood Block 8. Burial Monument 9. Magnetic Dip Circle 10. Sealing Club 11. Fish Specimen 12. Hut 13. Primus Stove 14. Harness 15. Gas Balloon 16. Rifle 17. Champagne 18. Aurora Australis 19. Anemometer 20. Canary 21. Eye Protection 22. Skis 23. Sponsorship Solicitation 24. Penguin Eggs 25. Camera 26. Pony Snowshoe 27. Black Flag 28. Fern Fossil 29. Diary 30. Half Sledge 31. Page from the Encyclopaedia Britannica 32. Banjo 33. James Caird 34. Memorial Cross 35. Radio Transmitter 36. Post Office Safe 37. Pemmican 38. Polar Star 39. Soap 40. Swastika Stake 41. Mittens 42. Suit 43. Sledge Wheel 44. Haori 45. Tractor 46. Dynamite 47. Statue 48. Kharkovchanka 49. Crevasse Detector 50. Treaty 51. Dog Fur Boots 52. Fuel Drums 53. Projection Reels 54. Radio Echo Sounder 55. Frozen Beard 56. Nuclear Reactor 57. Dog Cards 58. MS Lindblad Explorer 59. Meteorite 60. Pyramid Tent 61. Whale Skeleton 62. Board Game 63. Passport 64. Aeroplane Wreckage 65. Skidoo 66. Telephone 67. Dobson Spectrophotometer 68. Dinosaur Fossil 69. T-Shirt 70. JOIDES Resolution 71. Red Apple Hut 72. Penguin Taxidermy 73. Sledge 74. Geolocator 75. Shipping Container 76. South Pole Marker 77. Ice Core 78. Stellar Axis 79. ICESat 80. Hydroponic Vegetables 81. Telescope 82. Chapel 83. Optical Module 84. Patches 85. S.A. Agulhas II 86. Krill Oil Capsules 87. Pee Flag 88. Aquatic Rover 89. Weather Balloon 90, Swimsuit 91. Tide Gauge 92. Wedding Dress 93. Microplastic 94. Douglas DC-3 95. Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 96. D-Air Lab Antarctic Suit 97. Shipwreck 98. Trowel 99. Notebook 100. Pier Conclusion 100 Antarctica Books Acknowledgements Index

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'I am just going outside and may be some time.' With these words, on 17 March 1912, Captain Oates walked out to his death in an Antarctic blizzard and won a place for himself in history as 'a very gallant gentleman'. His reputation for courage and endurance as one of the members of Scott's doomed expedition to the South Pole is as powerful today as it was almost a century ago. Yet, as Sue Limb and Patrick Cordingley reveal in this new edition of their classic biography of the man, there is much more to Captain Oates's life than his final famous act of self-sacrifice. Their work is, as Sir Ranulph Fiennes noted, a 'fascinating character study of a quintessential British hero'.

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Book SynopsisIn 1922 a journalist commented on British tenacity to General Bruce, leader of the British Everest Expedition. Bruce replied with a single word: 'Shackleton'. Ernest Shackleton is one of history's great explorers, an extraordinary Edwardian character who pioneered the path to the South Pole and became a leading figure in Antarctic discovery. His incredible adventures on four expeditions to the Antarctic have captivated generations. A restless adventurer from an Irish background, he joined the Empire's last great endeavour of exploration - to reach the South Pole with Scott on the Discovery expedition. A clash with Scott led to Shackleton being ordered home and a bitter feud. Shackleton's riposte was the Nimrod expedition, which uncovered the route to the Pole, achieved the first fixing of the South Magnetic Pole, and honed the acclaimed leadership skills which kept despair at bay and encouraged men to overcome unimaginable hardship on the Endurance expedition. But Shackleton was a flawed character whose chaotic private life contrasted with celebrity status as the leading explorer. Persistent money problems left his men unpaid and his family with debts.This first comprehensive biography in a generation brings a fresh perspective to the heroic age of Polar exploration dominated by Shackleton's complex, compelling and enduringly fascinating story.Trade Review"Rich volume, written in a passionate, engaging style that makes it a compelling read." * The Irish Times *"Perfect to peruse at the fireside, Smith's mammoth work will prove fascinating to even the most earthbound home bird." * Belfast Newsletter *"Free-flowing writing style and below-decks perspective make the book an easy and enjoyable read." * Irish Mountain Log *"Mr Smith brings his own considerable scholarship in the field to the story." * Wall Street Journal *"As a buccaneering Edwardian adventurer, as hapless in his private life as he was dynamic in his public exploits, he is rescued by Smith's genial study as a flawed, enduring inspiration." * The Times *"Fascinating." * The Bookseller *"Calm, even-handed appraisal." * Scottish Review of Books *"Included in The Best Biographies of 2014." * The Guardian *"It is a classic story, and Smith tells it with passion and commitment." * The Spectator *"The book, written in a brisk, unfussy style, captures the duality of the man and is propelled by his burning sense of adventure." * Irish Examiner *"There are so many instances of derring-do on his four expeditions to the Antarctic that it's hard to comprehend how he achieved all he did without any of the technological support we now take for granted. And all on a diet of penguin, biscuits and fish." * Irish Independent *'Polar explorer Shackleton has finally received the literary treatment his legendary life deserves.' * Booklist *"Landmark new biography treatment [ - ] impressively researched tome." * Backpacker Magazine *"Fascinating exploration of the man behind the myth." * Kirkus Reviews *"Fascinating assessment." * Library Journal *

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Book SynopsisThe deepest cave on earth was a prize that had remained unclaimed for centuries, long after every other ultimate discovery had been made. This is the story of the men and women who risked everything to find it, earning their place in history beside the likes of Peary, Amundsen, Hillary, and Armstrong.In 2004, two great scientist-explorers attempted to find the bottom of the world. Bold, American Bill Stone was committed to the vast Cheve Cave, located in southern Mexico and deadly even by supercave standards. On the other side of the globe, legendary Ukrainian explorer Alexander Klimchouk - Stone's opposite in temperament and style - had targeted Krubera, a freezing nightmare of a supercave in the Republic of Georgia.Blind Descent explores both the brightest and darkest aspects of the timeless human urge to discover - to be first. It is also a thrilling epic about a pursuit that makes even extreme mountaineering and ocean exploration pale by comparison. These supercavers spent months in multiple camps almost two vertical miles deep and many more miles from their caves' exits. They had to contend with thousand-foot drops, deadly flooded tunnels, raging whitewater rivers, monstrous waterfalls, mile-long belly crawls, and much more. Perhaps even worse were the psychological horrors produced by weeks plunged into absolute, perpetual darkness, beyond all hope of rescue, including a particularly insidious derangement called 'The Rapture'.Blind Descent is a testament to human survival and endurance - and to two extraordinary men whose relentless pursuit of greatness led them to heights of triumph and depths of tragedy neither could have imagined.Trade ReviewHeart-stopping and relentlessly gripping. Tabor takes us on an odyssey into unfathomable worlds beneath us, and into the hearts of rare explorers who will do anything to get there first. -- Robert Kurson, author of Shadow DiversHair-raising . . . the chronicle of an obsession to reach the deepest, darkest, loneliest, scariest, least survivable pocket of the planet....A big thumping man-book like The Perfect Storm. * Washington Post. *Using a pulse-pounding narrative, this is tense real-life adventure pitting two master cavers mirroring the cold war with very uncommonly high stakes. * Publishers Weekly, starred review *Blind Descent is as awe-inspiring as any adventure story above ground. Tabor's claustrophobic and pulse-pounding narrativepulls no punches in describing the many terrifying hazards that cavers face underground. Blind Descent is a captivating summer read for adventure seekers and armchair adrenaline junkies alike. * Amazon.com Best Books of June 2010 *A fascinating and informative introduction to the sport of cave diving, as well as a dramatic portrayal of a significant man-vs.-nature conflict. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisSpitsbergen is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago which is situated between the Greenland and Barents Seas, approximately 600 miles from the North Pole. In the 16th century the islands were visited by Barents' expedition and in the ensuing centuries were used primarily as a base for hunting whales, polar bears, seals and walruses. In the 18th century the first scientific and research expeditions came to the island from many countries. Following the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, Poland took part in this research and has since developed a strong tradition in the science of many aspects of the island's geology, glora, fauna and environment. The author describes her experiences during three polar expeditions to the High Arctic, and conveys to the reader the essence of this fragile environment, the atmosphere of this special place in the North, the landscape, nature and day-to-day life of people working on Spitsbergen - their joys and sorrows, and the complex relationships that can develop between people working under harsh conditions in remote arctic areas for months.For those who have already travelled to the Arctic, this book will be a welcome reminder of their own experiences and adventures, while for others it will open a window on the complex nature of the Arctic environment and the joys and hardships connected with any polar expedition, all within the backdrop of the susceptibility of these areas to environmental change.Trade Review'...a very personal account of the author's experiences during three polar expeditions to the High Arctic. Her story conveys the essence of this fragile environment, the atmosphere of this special place in the North... ...it will open a window on the complex nature of the arctic environment and the rewards and hardships connected with any polar expedition...' Frank Neyts, Daily Collection of Maritime Press Clippings -------------------- '..a fascinating book... Agnieszka doesn't just report on how it feels to admire gagantic sheets of ice, coming face-to-face with polar bears or dealing with the cold. She writes about what living in such places does to humans there, their joys and their sorrows...' The Weekly News 'For those who visit the Arctic regularly this will be a welcome reminder of their own experiences while for others it will open a window on the world of Arctic nature and let them experience the joy and adventure of polar exploration. ... Full-colour photos of majestic glaciers are included'. ISSUU - Above & Beyond '...life in this cold region is definitely difficult, but the effort finds reward in the beauty of nature and the satisfaction in the research accomplished. ...easy to read on account of its simple and fluid language, it is illustrated by numerous photographs in colour and in black and white, which help the reader to identify himself in the situation and experience the same emotions that his land has given the author'. Il Polo

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Book SynopsisCaptain Woodfield made 20 seasonal voyages to the Antarctic on three research ships between 1955 and 1974. Starting as a Junior Deck Officer he worked for The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey which in 1964 became the British Antarctic Survey. He played a paramount role in the gradual change from using under-powered and poorly-equipped ships to the professionally-managed and sophisticated vessels of his last command. The arts of exploration and survival during his early years in this majestic but unforgiving continent are described as attempts were made to establish research stations, support science, and survey in totally uncharted, ice-filled waters amidst often ferocious weather. Dramatic stories are featured such as the near loss of a ship in pack ice, the stranding of another in hurricane force winds and the collapse of an ice-cliff onto the vessel The pioneers of Antarctic exploration, the area's history, the hardships and incredible achievements of those original seafarers are described.Yet polar navigation during the author's years was not without peril and the near loss in ice of his first ship, the RRS Shackleton, the demise of her Master, and his ill-judged replacement and consequent dramas are fully told.Trade Review`...a detailed and fascinating account of the challenges, risks and rewards of working around the Great White Continent, and, of course, the Falkland Islands’. Penguin News ---------------- `...a fascinating insight into an aspect of BAS's activities... It certainly belongs amongst the best examples of Antarctic literature. ...contains much to excite any marine enthusiast, but it also has a much broader appeal. There are many high points in the book, but one is certainly Woodfield's description of his last encounter with Antarctica, bringing the Bransfield safely across the Drake Passage through a whole series of savage storms which kept him on the bridge for more than three days, and could easily have destroyed the ship. This is one of the finest passages of maritime writing I have encountered, worthy of Herman Melville or Joseph Conrad at their very best'. BAS Club Newsletter --------------------- '...this is a fascinating description of the "other side" of the Antarctic research and logistical support that we encountered... It is remarkably detailed...with plenty of tales to keep you turning the pages'. Cool Antarctica -------------------- '...a dramatic story of true endeavour and exploration in the footsteps of the early pioneers. ...Woodfield plays a great part in bringing the red ships and their crews to prominence'. International Harbour Masters' Association -------------------- '...a well written book with innumerable references to the places, people, ships and events of the Antarctic continent and its adjacent waters'. Paul Ridgway, Ports and Ships -------------------- '...provides an insight into an exclusive world which few have experienced. ...the illustrations provide a dramatic impression of the challenging, inhospitable and exciting ice scape of Antarctica... ...makes fascinating reading. ...a unique insight... ...I have no problem in fully recommending the book to all who have interests in ships, the Southern Oceans and polar expeditions.' South West Soundings -------------------- 'One of the most interesting books by a seafarer seen in recent years...' IFSMA Newsletter -------------------- 'Well-written and beautifully illustrated...will undoubtedly be hooked from the first page with its atmospheric account of arrival in Stanley Harbour. ...this book should be required reading for any seaman or surveyor heading for the Southern Ocean. This is indeed an adventure story, full of exciting incident and colourful characters. ...this important book'. Soundings -------------------- 'This book is more than a good read, it is an education'. Warships -------------------- '...written in an engaging style but with considerable detail. ...richly illustrated... ...is well-written and illustrated. It has an engaging mixture of the nautical and the personal...with added doses of history, science and politics. South Georgia Association Newsletter -------------------- 'The events the explorers experienced were riveting... I strongly recommend the book, it has given us a new understanding of an amazing territory'. John H H Bradbury, C.B.E. -------------------- '...Capt Woodfield beautifully describes the voyages he undertook... Across 13 detailed and immersive chapters he captures and entwines the progress of his career...with the untouched landscapes that opened up before him. Capt Woodfield's unparalleled experiences give his first-person account of his travels south an engaging angle on what is a fine example of nautical storytelling'. Nautilus Telegraph -------------------- '...this wonderful book which tells a tale of human endeavour which is rarely seen today. ... The book tells dramatic tales, such as the near loss of a ship in pack ice, the stranding of another in hurricane force winds and the collapse of an ice-cliff onto the vessel'. Burnley Express

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Book SynopsisA professional biologist with wide experience of working both in the UK and overseas, Rory Putman takes us with him on working trips to Iceland, East Africa, Nigeria and Indonesia, introducing us to the countries and their people, their natural history, and explaining some of the wildlife issues which have prompted himself and his colleagues to travel there in the first place. The stories cover episodes from more than four decades of working as a jobbing biologist overseas. The understanding required to solve problems and seek solutions to particular issues related to management and conservation of wildlife means that in some way the observer becomes much more intimately engaged, and perhaps gains a different perspective of the country and its culture than might be apparent to a more casual 'outside' onlooker. To some extent, that deeper involvement enables Rory Putman to give the reader more of an inside view and introduction to the countries and their wildlife from a wholly personal perspective. Like many other enthusiastic naturalists, the author enjoyed experiencing new habitats and seeing wonderful and exotic species on his travels and this engaging book will carry the reader along on the journey.

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Book SynopsisFootsteps in the Snow recounts a life shaped and dominated by Antarctica, a multi-facetted account of a life dedicated to Antarctic science, policy and governance. It is also the story of growth from callow youth to Antarctic professional in the most challenging of environments. Joining the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) straight from university in 1966 meant two years as a scientist at an isolated British research station with all the challenges of wintering in the hostile environment half a century ago. After just two years he became one of the youngest men to be made a base commander, and as Sir Vivian Fuchs (then Director of BAS) recounts ‘proved himself one of the best we ever had under the most testing conditions’. The story recounts the many challenges of those testing conditions, while developing scientific ideas and accomplishing engineering feats with his team and on occasion looking death in the face and surviving. There were new developments in building research stations on the ice shelf, and the discovery of the ozone hole that gripped the world. Then followed the transition from research scientist to policy maker and diplomat when he became Deputy Director of BAS and advisor to the British delegation at the Antarctic Treaty. Tragedy struck at a base resulting in the author leading the first ever British midwinter flight into Antarctica. Since retiral, the author has become a polar historian “of repute”, and his efforts have been directed to writing and being a guide for Antarctic tourism. This book allows the reader to feel the wonder, awe, excitement and passion for Antarctica which drove John Dudeney throughout his career, and which is as fresh today as it was on first encounter half a century ago.

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Book SynopsisExpedition Naga is a multisensory trip into one of the world's most remote and least accessible regions. Diaries written by British administrators/explorers during punitive expeditions in the 1920s and '30s against the Naga, a people once notorious for their headhunting activities, are compared with contemporary notes written during the last 5 years when the authors were given special permission to do fieldwork in the long-forbidden border areas between India and Myanmar (Burma). Four hundred contemporary and historic photographs, most of which are published here for the first time ever, along with film and sound material on the enclosed free DVD, allow the reader to explore both the present and the past of one of the least known, yet most interesting cultural realms as it has never been possible before. The book will appeal to travellers, anthropologists, people interested in exploration and photography. Furthermore, the subject is spectacular in that many rituals, such as headhunting and other rites associated with fertility, are still taking place, the area having been closed for such a long time. The culture of the Naga people is amazing to witness in the twenty-first century when such cultural traits rarely exist. Furthermore, they are not associated with Indian culture, but rather with African or Indonesian.

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This book tells the tragic true story of the fate of Scott of the Antarctic and his companions on the return trip from the South Pole.It was written anonymously by Sir John Ernest Hodder-Williams, for Scott's son Peter, with the object at the time of raising funds for the child following his father's death.This facsimile has been created from an original 1913 edition, a now scarce work first published in the year of Scott's death during the Terra Nova expedition of 1910-1913.

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This is a first edition case bound hardback, which contains a number of Photographs and maps of Antarctica which appeared with a Tom Crean feature after his death by Dennis Barry. The rest of the book contains photos showing Discovery just fitted out from the News and Views section in the Black and White Budget Magazine 1901, The exploration of the South Pole. The wonders of the coming Discovery as part of Anglo-Germanic Expedition by Sir Henry Leach. Sport in the Antarctic: The games that were played by the Men of the "Discovery" by Bernard C. Carter and Animal Life in the Antarctic by S Kemp

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Book SynopsisPOMPEY returned to his home in the Antarctic in August after an absence of one-and-a-half years. He was one of about twelve thousand Gentoo penguins which lived on three islands, North Island, Middle Island and South Island. This book is a simple account of Pompey's life during the following nine months. He goes swimming among the ice-foes; he fishes for shrimps; he escapes from his arch-enemy, the Leopard Seal; and he meets the charming Jenny who becomes his wife. Together they make a nest and rear two fine, fluffy chicks. It is an accurate description of the life of a Gentoo penguin, made interesting by Mr. Bagshawe's wide knowledge of penguin habits and the conditions in which they live. Before the time comes for the baby penguins to swim away from home, Pompey and Jenny and many of their neighbours have become intimate friends. ]oan Kiddell-Monroe's pictures are accurate and quite outstanding. They help to make a really exceptional book.Trade Review‘Pompey was a Penguin’ by Thomas Wyatt Bagshawe and Illustrated by Joan Kiddell-Monroe is a simple tale beautifully told in a timeless manner. The storyline tells the tale of a penguin’s life from a penguins perspective and introduces other Antarctic creatures along the way. The book accurately describes the behaviour pattern of the Antarctic wildlife in a simple but accurate manner and in this respect is both educational and informative as well as being supported by some delightful artwork. The structure and the grammar used throughout the book is very descriptive and is ‘of it’s time’ but in a very positive and effective way. This book not just about telling a story and learning about the behaviour patterns of Antarctic creatures but also reminding us of what a rich heritage the English language gives us. To sum up, this book is a very enjoyable read for people of all ages but I found it a delightful book to read to a school at which I’m a chair of Governor’s. Reviewed by Steve Wroe (ex British Antarctic Survey)

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