Fitting tribute to the sometimes threatened wildlife on this island - South Georgia. Apart from the stunning bird photographs with those amazing snow-capped peaks, there is the effusive commentary, emphasizing the natural moods of the place, with journeys by boat, hiking, on skis, explorations made more meaningful with some of the scientists from their bases. In fact the Carr's are the only permanent residents here, so taken with the wildness of the place, and actually run the Whaling museum. Not the least of characters is the famed one hundred year old Falmouth (England, UK) built cutter with whom we can share it's history in the final chapter of the book. This is no ordinary boat, not for all that the Carr's have taken her through these last 25 years. First hearing of the Carr's exploits in John Ridgeway's 'Then we sailed away', somehow the dangers of their journeys, although not exactly glossed over, are not depicted as felt experience as in the Ridgeway work, feeling more like the safe narrative encountered in a childrens' version of a day at sea. The reader is not aware of the friction and general mayhem that is so well recounted by John. Also there is no sense of the 'burden of the possession of mind', lonely outposts bringing on philosophical musings than is done here, unless of course they were were always an idyllically matched and happy couple. It is not that sort of book, rather allowing the displacement of humanity as much as possible in order to bring out into greatest relief, the exorbitant wildlife.

Having been to South Georgia and met the Carr's three years ago, I was very excited to see their marvelous habitat so poignantly displayed. It is a world of the crossroads of many ecologic niches, man's tenuous and not always synergistic intersection with it, and and an adventuresome couple's love for the land, sea, and animals. A bit more could have been said about Shackleton and his place in its history, but over-all highly recommended. It only enforced my desire to return.

RB Schoene Seattle, WA

Smitten by South Georgia after 20+ years of sailing the world in a 28' cutter, the Carrs have generously chosen to share the object of their affection through breathtaking photographs and charming text. The reader accompanies them as they explore the coastal bays, ski across glaciers, and wonder at being preened by an albatross. Holding this book in your hands is a reminder of the truth of the definition of work as "love made visible."

Behrendt's book is an interesting and rewarding read on several levels. At the core of the book are the extremely complete field notes of a 20-something scientist-adventurer on an exploratory journey into an unmapped part of Antarctica during the 1957 International Geophysical Year. Interspersed with this narrative are the reflections of the same man from a vantage point 40 years in the future. Part history, part science, part an examination of expedition psychology, this book will be of interest to a wide audience.

The book is reasonably well-written although in a strange style: a mixture throughout of diary entries from 1957 and current commentaries. The narrative about the science and logistics is interesting enough, but the real heart of the book is the battle between the scientists and Captain Finn Ronne of the U.S. Navy. Captain Ronne, who wrote his own version of the IGY expedition at Ellsworth Station, appears to have been a completely arbitrary martinet, a self-serving dictator and political string-puller, and a bad-tempered paranoid and coward. He repeatedly put the expedition in danger by his refusal to provide equipment. He censored much of the communication in and out. He insisted that the scientists share dishwashing and other duties even when they were barely able to complete their scientific assignments. He evidently believed that the Navy support team of 30 or so men had more important things to do than assist the scientists, even though the sole purpose of the whole expedition was scientific. The sad tale of how he killed two emperor penguins 'in the most brutal way imaginable' is enough to turn one's stomach.

There are parallels, as Behrendt notes, with Captain Queeg of the Caine Mutiny. Unfortunately in the nonfictional world of the Navy, Ronne's outrageous behavior, although known to his superiors, apparently went unpunished.

The characterization of other individuals in the book is rather thin. But I would strongly recommend the book.

The title is very appropriate for Behrendt's diary of events at Ellsworth Station on the Weddell Sea margin of the Filchner Ice Shelf and their long geophysical traverse as far south as the Dufek Massif during IGY (1956-1958). The diary, that of a graduate student geophysicist and neophyte Antarctican, is made much more interesting by the running commentary from one of Antarctica's most accomplished, still active, scientists. The underlying plot describes a group of young scientists trying to cope with a system designed for the Navy and the harsh realities of exploring an unknown part of Antarctica. Many of the stories are amusing and almost unbelievable; they show the stress of wintering over and working in harsh conditions. I am amazed at how much was accomplished by Behrendt and other pioneers in the IGY program who worked with the relatively primitive equipment of the time. We need to hear more of their stories!

This is an outstanding very short survey of the major accomplishments of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, whose few shortcomings are necessitated by the goal of brevity. Dr. Baughman is a distinguished scholar in Antarctic history who has written this book for those of us who are not historians, don't have the time to invest in a 600 page biography, but have a curiosity about what really happened out there on the ice that resulted in Shackleton's reputation both as explorer and as ideal leader.

The core of the book are accurate and gripping descriptions of both the Nimrod and Endurance expeditions. Both times Shackleton was faced with having to make heroic decisions in favor of the welfare of his men. His ability to make those decisions against his own strong desires for personal fame and glory is what makes Shackleton of such interest today and a model for many.

The tales of what happened in the Antarctic are what this book is about. To understand the human and flawed man it is necessary for Dr. Baughman to sketch Shackleton's life before the Nimrod expedition and between the Nimrod and Endurance voyages. In order to achieve his goal of a book that can be easily read on an airplane trip across the country he has had to cover these areas of Shackleton's life very briefly, and I wish there had been more detail. However, having been primed by this book, perhaps many readers will decide they want to tackle a 600 page biography!

Finally, the book layout is very utilitarian. There are photographs on the front and back cover, and maps on the insides of the cover, but otherwise the book is 86 pages of text (plus a short introduction, etc.). This fits the goal of a book to be read in a couple of hours, and the type font, although prosaic, is large enough to read even if your plane is experiencing turbulence.

In conclusion, I know of no other book on Shackleton which is designed to fill this niche in the market...those who want a brief but accurate account of the central events in Shackleton's expeditions...and Baughman's book does an excellent job in accomplishing this purpose.

There's a Shackleton mania going on these days. Witness all the new books and reissues of old books to be found on websites and booksellers' shelves. We all love a real hero. Most books available nowadays, however, are focussed only on the famous Endurance expedition, or they are weighty biographical tomes that won't appeal to the majority of readers.

Enter Baughman's "Shackleton of the Antarctic." This new book is the only one that gives the reader a complete overview of Shackleton--the man, his life, his expeditions--in such a concise manner that you can read the account start to finish in one evening at home, or on a flight from O'Hare to JFK. And all this from an author who knows what he is talking about. Baughman is a professional historian who adores the Antarctic. He has written two acclaimed histories and is a regular cruise lecturer. Most important, Baughman is a careful writer and is respected by his colleagues. You can trust what he says.

So if you are intrigued by all you've been hearing about this man named Shackleton, and you want to read about him for yourself and be inspired at the same time without making a time commitment of, say, the entire month of November, "Shackleton of the Antarctic" is for you. Highly recommended.

I have read Shackleton's account of his famous Endurance journey, but, let's face it, it can be too cumbersome for those with only a passing interest. Baughman's book provides a delightful overview of Shackelton's polar journeys. It is the perfect size and length to pack and read on a day trip and is also a great tool to pass on to friends or colleagues in the hopes of sparking their interest in Antarctic exploration.

Byrd was in an incredible location but there are many many more interesting books out there. When I read a book that I think is worth reading I will lend it to someone else. I don't think I will give this book to anyone else just because there are better adventure stories out there. Read "Endurance" instead.

This journal account of Byrd's months at the South Pole reveal the most extreme circumstances that force a man to discover the absolute limits of his will and inner strength. With the heritage of the great sea explorers, and precursor to the great space adventurers, Byrd forces himself to unveil the depths of fear and determination when he alone is responsible for his survival. This book is one of the great adventure stories of the twentieth century and its factual account rivals any piece of fiction.

If you are looking for a book on an Antarctic adventure, perhaps there are better choices to be made. But if you want to understand the struggle and hardship of being physically and mentally isolated, or experience the terror of dealing with an unknown adversary, then I can recommend no better book than this one. Byrd takes what could have been an extremely dry subject and makes it read like a classic adventure novel. And it's all the more exciting because it's true!

Tom Crean's life deserves to be told, but may never get fleshed out fully. There is just not enough material available for a good in-depth biography. Crean wrote few letters and left no interviews or diaries for a biographer to use. He was mostly uneducated in the sense of a few years of schooling. The author of this book has admitted in a past interview that due to these limitations, as well as until recently the forgotten Shackleton & Endurance saga, Crean didn't warrant a biography! The information about Crean and his polar experiences with Scott & Shackleton have been covered before in many books. A few years after the Endurance expedition ended in 1917, Crean retired from the seas, got married, and opened a pub in Ireland, the South Pole Inn. He apparently never spoke much of his polar days. I was mildly disappointed with this book, expecting more than I received. It's worth a read- the story of that heroic age of polar exploration is amazing and absorbing no matter how many times you read it, and you are left with much respect for Crean and his fellow explorers who lived through such incredible experiences.

I've read almost every book I can find on Antarctic exploration and without a doubt, this is one of the finest. Tom Crean is always mentioned in books about early Antarctic epics but we've never really got to know him and what kind of a man he was. Michael Smith has done a fine job in tracing Crean's life from his early days in the Navy, his subsequent trips with Scott and Shackleton right up to his final days as a Pub owner is his home in Ireland. This is the kind of man you'd want whatever your expedition might be. He was brave, strong, honest, trustworthy and humorus, no matter what the circumstances. A great story about a real hero!

Tom Crean survived several famous Antarctic adventures of the Edwardian Era, and yet is hardly mentioned in most of the popular Antarctic Exploration books. Michael Smith does a fantastic job telling Crean's personal history with humor and understanding, while giving insight into the expeditions, the explorers and Antarctic History as a whole. This is a must-have for polar enthusasts (or shall we say, PolarGeeks?).

This book is a great read as a story of adventure. But as a scientist - and one with colleagues who have worked in Antarctica, including on one of the experiments touched on in this book - I found mis-statments in the narrative and footnotes suggesting that the author was not well-informed about the science he was "supporting". He certainly supported the science logistically, but he comes across as very unsupportive of the scientific enterprise in general. A pity then that an otherwise enjoyable book should be marred by a poor attitude towards the scientific research that provided the reason for the author to be in Antarctica in the first place.

Mr. Hinebaugh displays a refreshing blend of literary brilliance and technical understanding. His crystal clear descriptions of his experiences deliver what an aviator is looking for . . . a complex read of operating aircraft in extreme conditions. I would rank this work along with Antoine De Saint Exupery's, 'Wind, Sand and Stars' as one of the best aviation books available.

Love this very well written book. Took me awhile to read but this was due to my 13 year old son grabbing it to read before I was finished. He was very into this and his remarks "Cool book!" sums it up rather well. The Shaman of the weather guessers really makes me wonder how these guys kept their tempers in check at times. Description of the lands and the changing conditions along with the flying difficulties of all the unique situations that come up makes this a very enjoyable and easily read book. Thanks Mark for giving me and my son something to talk about for quite awhile!

Once past the alarmingly dull first chapter - a detailed treatise on Antarctic law which combines the style of a superannuated college professor with that of an assiduous low-level bureaucrat - "Beyond Cape Horn" settles into an enjoyable though disjointed read.
Neider's book is a happy democracy in which all facts are equal and each anecdote merits the same amount of space and generous allotment of adjectives. He does not sift the wheat from the chaff, prioritize, or even impose much order. An account of Shackleton's Endurance expedition, a vivid depiction of life aboard an icebreaker and interviews with members of the Scott and Byrd expeditions jostle for space amid a list of condiments available in the base mess hall, a biographical paragraph or three on every explorer who ever ventured near the Antarctic regions, and a meditation on the life of Rachel the Husky. (We also get a blow-by blow description of the men butchering a seal for Rachel.)
There is something endearing in this. Neider is like an enthusiastic hobbyist, full of information and bursting to tell us all about it. He draws us in, whether he is watching killer whales at play, examining gorgeously-colored caverns of glacial ice, or musing on the moral probity of a helicopter crew filming a penguin "in a panic which [they themselves] have caused."
And it is hard to dislike a writer who refuses to take sea-sickness pills because Darwin had none on the Beagle.

Beyond Cape Horn: Travels In The Antarctic is a personal experienced based account of the wonders of Antarctica's landmass and the ocean surrounding it. Written by the late scholar and three-time Antarctic explorer Charles Neider (1915-2001), Beyond Cape Horn is drawn from his third navigation in 1977 of the Antarctic seas on a mission to observe the habitat of the Southern Ocean as it was changing in response to increasing commercial activity. Neider surveys the land, the water currents, the natural life that flourishes in spite of the cold and otherwise inhospitable climate. A vivid and memorable account which is enhanced by extensive interviews with Antarctic explorers such as Sir Charles Wright, Laurence Gould, and Sir Vivan Fuchs (the first man to cross Antarctica's landmass), Beyond Cape Horn is an exceptional blend of personal memoir and scientific treatise which is particular recommended for those who appreciate travel, exploration, and the magnificence of untamed nature.

This book presents a fresh and reasoned assessment of Scott's first Antarctic expedition in its historical context. Engagingly written and well researched, its perspective casts an interesting light on aspects of Scott's first Antarctic expedition that have been passed over in general works on Scott in favor of the drama of the second expedition. The first expedition had ample drama of its own, and the author's take on such personalities as Clements Markham, Shackleton, and Scott himself is different enough from "standard received" to merit reading. I was particularly interested in the author's description of the interplay between Scott's orders as he received them and perceived them and subsequent criticism of the expedition for its failure to maximize the results obtained for the resources invested.

All in all, readable, informative, interesting, and well worth a read. You will find the point of view rather different from that so persuasively presented by Roland Huntford in his recently re-released "Scott and Amundsen," but partisanship -- if so strong a term may be used -- intrudes only occasionally, and then only in instances in which the author feels unfair misrepresentation may have done violence to the historical record.

I enjoyed this book!

Dr. Baughman continues to build on his reputation as America's preeminent polar historian in this book: Pilgrims on Ice (his first book on early Antartic exploration was Before the Heroes Came). This book focues on Robert Scott and the Discovery Expedition 1901 to 1904. By reading Dr. Baughman's work - one can see that this initial expedition laid the groundwork for the British expeditions of the following 21 years. In fact, the major players all played a part in this initial expedition. This voyage was Shackleton's first expedition to the South (serving as Scott's third officer). And I enjoyed the new insights Baughman provided into the young Shackleton, as well as the human details on expedition leader Scott and the rest of band. In its 250-odd pages of text, this becomes the first exhaustive account of the Discovery expedition 1901 to 1904 by a late 20th century polar historian. Baughman's extensive use of original documents in British and European archives brings fresh insight and more details on this heroic group then ever before available. I recommend this for lovers of travel, adventure, and biography.

Written with style and love, this book paints evocative pictures of the Antartic. The way the book is put together enables one to travel as a freind and experience some of the awe and splendore of the place. A deep feeling of lose came over me when I had finished.

This is definately written from the perspective of the Antarctic traveler turned forever into the Antarctic lover. Though well written, with flavorful descriptions, I fear that its appeal would miss many. As I have traveled to Antarctica, I found endless identification with much of the text. I feel that its strength lies in its ability to evoke strong rememberance of such adventures, but perhaps some of the terminology would be lost on those without the same memory to draw upon! Too bad, it is like reading an old love letter...