Race for the South Pole: The Expedition Diaries of Scott and Amundsen Paperback – Illustrated, 22 Dec. 2011

Veteran polar expert Roland Huntford's idea of putting the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen side by side is, quite simply, inspired. Here for the first time we have the two men's accounts juxtaposed, day by day. Huntford's commentary is sparse but always to the point, interpolating expert knowledge to explain when necessary what the entries actually reveal. The true reasons for Amundsen's success and Scott's failure become, by the end, almost self-evident. Amundsen executed his task with meticulous planning, leaving nothing to chance. Scott on the other hand is woefully unprepared. His failure is not so much a tragedy caused by the elements and bad luck, but his poor organisation. Had he and his men learned to ski before setting off for the Antarctic, and had they had adequate clothing (Huntford quotes an old saying 'there is no bad weather, only bad clothing') they would almost certainly have survived. Had they used dogs instead of attempting to man haul their supply sledges, they might even have given Amundsen a run for his money. Scott ran out of food because he failed to plan adequately or give clear orders to those left at base camp to top up his food depots along the route home. The other thing that shines through the diary entries is the difference in character of the two men. Scott is autocratic, pessimistic and illogical, constantly looking to blame the weather, bad luck and his men. Amundsen on the other hand is relaxed, involves his team in all his decisions, and does not believe in luck. Facing the same conditions as Scott with equilibrium, he triumphs over difficulties with weather and terrain.Once the two journeys for the Pole are actually underway, the book becomes increasingly gripping, and unputdownable for the last 100 pages or so. For the first part I was willing Amundsen to win and, when he had, hoping against hope Scott would survive, quite something considering I was well aware of both outcomes! Can't recommend this book highly enough - and even if you don't think you're interested in polar exploration, believe me, by the time you're halfway through this book, you will be.

I thought that his book: "Scott and Amundsen" was superb. It blew apart nearly a century of rubbish about Scott, and placed Amundsen in his proper place, as the better Antarctic Explorer. Huntford's newer work: "The Race For The Pole", reinforces this message. Through the medium of their journals, Amundsen is presented as a master planner. He is a man who is determined to be first to the South Pole, but not through the exposure of his men to unnecessary risk. Scott is shown to be a "chancer". He is lacking in the vital skills, prone to changing the plan, at short notice, and unable to rid himself of the shadow of Shackleton, and his achievements. They were all brave men, but Amundsen knew what he was up against, and equipped for it. Scott thought that the exaggerated concept of the British Amateur would seem him through. Tragically, for Scott and his men, he was wrong ! Huntford's book, fully maintains the standards expected of him.

Bought as a gift. I believe it is an interesting read.

Chose this book for an insight into the actual trip by the use of tge diaries and it did not disappoint.

This is like a condensed version of Huntford's book on Scott and Amundsen. It tells the same story but essentially in the words of the two protagonists, which is intriguing in many ways, especially if you have already read the first book, which I would suggest doing first.

Good product

Excellent

This is the story of 2 teams who in 1911 raced to be first to reach the South Pole.The Scott expedition of 27 men and the Amundsen party of 9 both set of in early Sept 1911 with Amundsen reaching the pole on Dec7 buy Scott not until Jan 18.The book records the complete diaries of Scott and those of Amundsen and Bjaaland for the other team-the Norwegian diaries appearing in English for the first time.The book is in diary form for the 3 authors who recorded in meticulous detail.The last entry in the Scott diary is for March 29 and we all know the ending.An excellent book well researched and detailed with good maps,notes and glossary.A close reading of the epilogue is ESSENTIAL as many myths are laid to rest.