Stephen R. Bown





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Stephen R. Bown

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born
in Ottawa, Canada
gender
male

website

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member since
January 2008


About this author

www.facebook.com/srbown
I am an award-winning author of historical non-fiction with seven books to my credit (and the manuscript for my eighth book is almost complete). My book Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner and a Gentleman Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail was an international critical success and was selected as one of the Globe and Mail's Top 100 books of 2004. A Most Damnable Invention: Dynamite, Nitrates and the Making of the Modern World, was included in the Scientific American Book Club, the History Book Club and the Quality Paperback Book Club as well as being shortlisted for two awards. My next book, Madness, Betrayal and the Lash: The Epic Voyage of Captain George Vancouver, was shortlisted for the Canadian A...more


Here is an interview I did for a Polar blog about Amundsen, the nature of exploration and the book I am working on right now, a biography of the Danish explorer and ethnographer Knud Rasmussen.

http://polar-exploration.blogspot.ca/...
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Published on May 10, 2013 15:34 • 8 views • Tags: amundsen, explorers, polar, race-to-the-south-pole, south-pole
Average rating: 3.76 · 441 ratings · 110 reviews · 11 distinct works · Similar authors
Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Ma...
3.66 of 5 stars 3.66 avg rating — 237 ratings — published 2003 — 9 editions
The Last Viking: The Life o...
3.98 of 5 stars 3.98 avg rating — 60 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions
Merchant Kings
3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 avg rating — 56 ratings — published 2009 — 5 editions
1494: How a Family Feud in ...
3.9 of 5 stars 3.90 avg rating — 39 ratings — published 2011 — 5 editions
Madness, Betrayal and the L...
3.81 of 5 stars 3.81 avg rating — 26 ratings — published 2008 — 3 editions
A Most Damnable Invention: ...
3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 avg rating — 20 ratings — published 2005 — 6 editions
the golden age of piracy
5.0 of 5 stars 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating
Wanderers & Nomads: True St...
0.0 of 5 stars 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2012
Sightseers and Scholars: Sc...
0.0 of 5 stars 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — published 2002 — 2 editions
Forgotten Highways: Wildern...
by
3.5 of 5 stars 3.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — published 2007 — 2 editions
More books by Stephen R. Bown…

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Madness, Betrayal and the Lash: The Epic Voyage of Captain George Vancouver (History)
1 chapters   —   updated Mar 29, 2010 04:33pm
Description: A tale of maritime daring and betrayal, and a long overdue re-evaluation of one of the greatest explorers of the Age of Discovery
Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner and a Gentleman Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail (History)
0 chapters   —   updated Jan 17, 2008 08:31pm
Description: History of the mariner's disease and how solving the scurvy problem helped the British Royal Navy to defeat Napoleon.
The Windup Girl

Stephen Stephen said: "I am very much enjoying this book. Haven't quite finished yet, but will say more when I have."

 

Stephen's Recent Updates

Stephen R. Bown wrote a new blog post
Here is an interview I did for a Polar blog about Amundsen, the nature of exploration and the book I am working on right now, a biography of the Da... Read more of this blog post »
"Might I suggest The Last Viking: The Life of Roald Amundsen for the list. This is the first English language biography of the greatest Polar explorer,...more "
Stephen voted for 1 books on the list Stories set in Antarctica
The Last Viking by Stephen R. Bown Vote on this list »
The Last Viking by Stephen R. Bown
" Spellbinding. Occasionally bordering on hagiographic, but only briefly and even then (IMO) forgivably: some people truly are larger than life. It would be dishonest to pretend otherwise.

Amundsen was a fascinating man, living during the end of one... " Read more of this review »
Stephen rated a book 5 of 5 stars
The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
I am very much enjoying this book. Haven't quite finished yet, but will say more when I have.
Stephen said "yes" to attending Lunchtime speaker series
113000
date: September 29, 2011 12:00PM
location: Calgary Public Library, Main Branch, Calgary, Canada
description: Author talk and slideshow over lunch, about my latest book 1494.

I'm also doing a similar talk at Pages bookstore that same evening. Open to the public.

Pages Bookstore
1135 Kensington Road N.W., Calgary

Stephen added
1494 by Stephen R. Bown
Stephen liked a quote
113000
The only currency that we really have to spend during our lives is time. Everything else is just a sub-category.Stephen R. Bown
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Stephen liked a quote
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I may say that this is the greatest factor: the way in which the expedition is equipped, the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. Victory awaits him who has everything in order, luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time, this is called bad luck.Roald Amundsen
like
Madness, Betrayal and the Lash by Stephen R. Bown
" VINDICATED AFTER 200 YEARS

A review by Phillip Taylor MBE

Little had been written about George Vancouver until Ernie Coleman's excellent and uncomplicated biography in 2000, and Stephen Bown's new, detailed and scholarly work in 2008.

Bown's work is... " Read more of this review »
More of Stephen's books…
“The only currency that we really have to spend during our lives is time. Everything else is just a sub-category.”
Stephen R. Bown

Polls

55838
Spotlighted Book Discussion Poll I - October 26, 2011

This is a poll that adds other books to our listing of potential non fiction books to discuss and also helps the moderators determine which one or ones are the most popular. Since we have many more group members than when we first started; voting in the polls is very important. There will be a series of polls. Many of these books have been recommended by group members but were either not selected before nor voted upon before.

Vote for the book that you would most like to read and/or is the book that you believe that would appeal to the most group members.

Note:

We have added some of the books nominated thus far but we have more to add to other polls. However, this poll was getting quite large.

However, if you do not see your favorite book on this list; then just comment or pop me a note and I will immediately add it to this poll.

You can always change your vote at any time; so nothing is lost. There are some books which have been nominated by the same author; however, skip over those if the particular author does not suit you and vote for your favorite or for one you or others might want to read.

Before making your selection, please try to look up your choice and make sure it really is a book you are interested in or you think others would be; do not be lured in by the title. Also, check out the author and what others have said about the book before you (reviewers who you trust). Then of course, make your selection.

And if you do not see your favorite, just contact me and I will add it to the poll.

Cleopatra  A Life Stacy SchiffStacy Schiff

Cleopatra: A Life
 
  18 votes, 9.9%

A Country of Vast Designs  James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent by Robert W. Merry

A Country of Vast Designs: James K. Polk, the Mexican War and the Conquest of the American Continent
 
  13 votes, 7.2%

Hero  The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia by Michael Korda

Hero: The Life and Legend of Lawrence of Arabia
 
  13 votes, 7.2%

Alexander the Great by Philip Freeman

Alexander the Great
 
  13 votes, 7.2%

The Storm of War  A New History of the Second World War by Andrew Roberts

The Storm of War: A New History of the Second World War
 
  12 votes, 6.6%

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much  The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession by Allison Hoover BartlettAllison Hoover Bartlett

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession
 
  12 votes, 6.6%

 
  10 votes, 5.5%

Horse Soldiers  The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan by Doug Stanton

Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of US Soldiers
 
  8 votes, 4.4%

The Clockwork Universe  Isaac Newton, the Royal Society, and the Birth of the Modern Worldby Edward Dolnick

The Clockwork Universe: Isaac Newton, the Royal Society and the Birth of the Modern World
 
  6 votes, 3.3%

A History of God  The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Karen ArmstrongKaren Armstrong

A History of God: The 4,000 Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
 
  6 votes, 3.3%

Newton and the Counterfeiter  The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientistby Thomas Levenson

Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist
 
  5 votes, 2.8%

The Ascent of Money  A Financial History of the World Niall FergusonNiall Ferguson

The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

Destiny Disrupted  A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary

Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

The Painter's Chair  George Washington and the Making of American Art by Hugh Howard

The Painter's Chair: George Washington and the Making of American Art
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

The Idea of America  Reflections on the Birth of the United States Gordon S. WoodGordon S. Wood

The Idea of America: Reflections on the Birth of the United States
 
  4 votes, 2.2%

The Birth of Modern Politics  Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and the Election of 1828 (Pivotal Moments in American History) by Lynn Hudson Parsons

The Birth of Modern Politics: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams and the Election of 1828
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

Decision Points by George W. BushGeorge W. Bush

Decision Points
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

Winston's War  Churchill, 1940-1945 by Max HastingsMax Hastings

Winston's War: Churchill, 1940-1945
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

A History of the American People by Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

A History of the American People
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

U. S. Grant  American Hero, American Myth Joan WaughJoan Waugh

U. S. Grant: American Hero, American Myth
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

Churchill by Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

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  3 votes, 1.7%

Civilization  The West and the Rest by Niall FergusonNiall Ferguson

Civilization: The West and the Rest
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

Letters from America Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville

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  3 votes, 1.7%

Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy by Donald Kagan

Pericles of Athens and the Birth of Democracy
 
  3 votes, 1.7%

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments by George B. Johnson

The Ten Most Beautiful Experiments
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

Thucydides  The Reinvention of HistoryDonald Kagan

Thucydides: The Reinvention of History
 
  2 votes, 1.1%

 
  2 votes, 1.1%

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  2 votes, 1.1%

Modern Times  The World from the 20s to the 90s by Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

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  2 votes, 1.1%

The Age of Wonder  How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard HolmesRichard Holmes

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  2 votes, 1.1%

The Journey Tony BlairTony Blair

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  2 votes, 1.1%

God's Battalions  The Case for the Crusades Rodney StarkRodney Stark

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  2 votes, 1.1%

The Wealth of Nations Adam SmithAdam Smith

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  2 votes, 1.1%

Courage and Consequence  My Life as a Conservative in the Fight by Karl RoveKarl Rove

Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

Party over Section  The Rough and Ready Presidential Election of 1848 (American Presidential Elections) by Joel H. Silbey

Party Over Section: The Rough and Ready Presidential Election of 1848
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

A History of the Jews (Perennial Library) Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

A History of the Jews
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

Madam Secretary  A Memoir Madeleine AlbrightMadeleine Albright

Madam Secretary: A Memoir
 
  1 vote, 0.6%

The Theory of Moral Sentiments  by Adam SmithAdam Smith

The Theory of Moral Sentiments
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

Merchant Kings Stephen R. BownStephen R. Bown

Merchant Kings
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

A History of Christianity Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson

A History of Christianity
 
  0 votes, 0.0%

Jesus  A Biography, from a Believerby Paul  JohnsonPaul Johnson


Jesus: A Biography from a Believer
 
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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
The History Book ...: ARCHIVE: PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF ~ 6668 3047 May 08, 2013 03:33pm  
The History Book ...: MEDICINE 82 172 May 18, 2013 01:56pm  
The History Book ...: * I AM LOOKING FOR A BOOK ON.........? 571 692 May 23, 2013 05:27pm  
“I may say that this is the greatest factor: the way in which the expedition is equipped, the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. Victory awaits him who has everything in order, luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time, this is called bad luck.”
Roald Amundsen

“The only currency that we really have to spend during our lives is time. Everything else is just a sub-category.”
Stephen R. Bown

Groups_nophoto-25x33 Explorers and Exploration — 19 members — last activity Jul 24, 2009 10:07pm
Famous explorers, less famous adventurers, exploring expeditions and the like
5114 Friends who write — 49 members — last activity Jul 16, 2009 08:38am
a group for people who either just dabble with being literary or are really serious about the craft. I Always say --It's a paying hobby with me doing...more
Groups_nophoto-25x33 Exploration and Survival — 25 members — last activity Jun 26, 2011 03:53am
This is a group... I suppose to help get a library going of books about Exploration, History, and Survival. Mostly non-fiction here, but maybe a few h...more
1153 Armchair Sailors — 179 members — last activity May 03, 2013 01:07pm
A group to discuss historical fiction involving sailing ships--think Patrick O'Brian or C.S Forester--and the Golden Age of Sail. Ahoy! Photo: Brig "Lad...more



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