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The Romance of Polar Exploration
While stories of the Polar explorers and their efforts to reach the Poles have been told again and again, the constant renewal of expeditions adds, every year, fresh incidents to the record, until it may almost be said that the fascination of the frozen regions is as inexhaustible as the list of Polar heroes is illimitable. Nor is the interest confined solely to the achievement of modern explorers. However great the results of their exertions may be, the fact that, in spite of all the advantages conferred by recent scientific discovery and modern appliances, the explorers of to-day have failed to penetrate the uttermost secrets of the worlds of ice, renders more impressively heroic the struggles of the earlier travellers, whose equipment, viewed in comparison with that of modern man, was apparently so inadequate and often inappropriate.
No series of Polar adventure stories would be complete without a prominent place being given to the earlier explorers, and especially to that British hero, Franklin, whose name is so inseparably associated with the history of Arctic exploration. The account of his daring voyages and of his tragic end, at the moment of victory, has already been given in many a form; but the tale is one which will stand re-telling for generations yet to come. In the present instance it has been of necessity briefly written, but in such a manner as will, it is hoped, without loss of interest, render clear a comparison of the conditions under which he and his brave companions worked and fought to their death, with those that existed for later expeditions and especially the expeditions of Nansen, Peary, and Abruzzi.
The Antarctic, equally with the Arctic, now commands the attention of man. In the South, as in the North, the British race has again produced explorers who have fought their way into the icy fastnesses. From the time that Captain Cook sailed round the unknown southern ocean, more than a century ago, the British flag has waved in the forefront of the advance. The work which Sir James Ross began, over half a century since, has now been carried farther than ever it was anticipated it could be. By the voyage of the Discovery, the Antarctic continent has been revealed to within five hundred miles of the Pole, and in the gallant exploits of the commander, Captain Robert Scott, there are many who see a repetition of all that made the name of Franklin so immortal.
The source of the information on which these stories are based (as is frequently mentioned in the text) is the personal narrative of the explorer concerned, where available; and if the interest aroused in any of them requires more to satisfy it than the exigencies of space renders possible in this volume, the attention which will thereby be drawn to the more comprehensive records will stand as a slight acknowledgment of the indebtedness of the writer of these re-told stories to the authors of the original narratives.
First published in 1906.
No series of Polar adventure stories would be complete without a prominent place being given to the earlier explorers, and especially to that British hero, Franklin, whose name is so inseparably associated with the history of Arctic exploration. The account of his daring voyages and of his tragic end, at the moment of victory, has already been given in many a form; but the tale is one which will stand re-telling for generations yet to come. In the present instance it has been of necessity briefly written, but in such a manner as will, it is hoped, without loss of interest, render clear a comparison of the conditions under which he and his brave companions worked and fought to their death, with those that existed for later expeditions and especially the expeditions of Nansen, Peary, and Abruzzi.
The Antarctic, equally with the Arctic, now commands the attention of man. In the South, as in the North, the British race has again produced explorers who have fought their way into the icy fastnesses. From the time that Captain Cook sailed round the unknown southern ocean, more than a century ago, the British flag has waved in the forefront of the advance. The work which Sir James Ross began, over half a century since, has now been carried farther than ever it was anticipated it could be. By the voyage of the Discovery, the Antarctic continent has been revealed to within five hundred miles of the Pole, and in the gallant exploits of the commander, Captain Robert Scott, there are many who see a repetition of all that made the name of Franklin so immortal.
The source of the information on which these stories are based (as is frequently mentioned in the text) is the personal narrative of the explorer concerned, where available; and if the interest aroused in any of them requires more to satisfy it than the exigencies of space renders possible in this volume, the attention which will thereby be drawn to the more comprehensive records will stand as a slight acknowledgment of the indebtedness of the writer of these re-told stories to the authors of the original narratives.
First published in 1906.
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1906
About the author
G. Firth Scott
39 booksGeorge Henry Firth Scott, (c1862-1935), journalist and writer, generally known as G. Firth Scott, was the son of George Firth Scott, Land Commissioner and Emma Elizabeth (née Barnes). He was born about 1862 at Golspie, County Sutherland, Scotland.
From Franklin to Nansen: Tales of Arctic Adventure (1899)
He came to Australia and worked as a journalist for newspapers, including the The Hobart Mercury and the Sydney Daily Telegraph and also contributed stories to magazines including Belgravia.
See Wikipedia
From Franklin to Nansen: Tales of Arctic Adventure (1899)
He came to Australia and worked as a journalist for newspapers, including the The Hobart Mercury and the Sydney Daily Telegraph and also contributed stories to magazines including Belgravia.
See Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 23, 2025
Fascinating view of early days of exploration -- but hardly "romantic" when viewed from the hardships endured!
September 19, 2020
The book provides a nice overview of various journeys to both Poles. One thing to realize, however, is that since the author tries to cover so many different voyages, he makes sweeping generalizations and definitely romanticizes the explorations, often leaving out the very real interpersonal conflicts, struggles, and immense hardships many of these journeys included. Having read several of the actual accounts of some of the North Polar expeditions just prior to reading this book, I was amazed at how much those details were completely glossed over. Also, I do think that Scott should have considered updating the book to include the discoveries of the Poles, given that the book was published before that.
However, my biggest complaint about this version of the book (Kindle) is the huge number of typos, and the fact that while it is implied there are pictures and maps (due to captions--two identical repeated captions for each!), there weren't any actual graphics.
In spite of these points, I give the book a 4, mainly because I think this overview may well whet the appetite of readers for more on this topic--as long as they realize, there is so much more to the stories, which speak not only of bravery, courage, vision, and heroism, but also the lack of good character, selfishness, and shortsightedness.
I do look forward to diving more into several of the explorers mentioned here, with several books in the queue, and by going to the original sources will be able to correct any erroneous info stated in this book.
However, my biggest complaint about this version of the book (Kindle) is the huge number of typos, and the fact that while it is implied there are pictures and maps (due to captions--two identical repeated captions for each!), there weren't any actual graphics.
In spite of these points, I give the book a 4, mainly because I think this overview may well whet the appetite of readers for more on this topic--as long as they realize, there is so much more to the stories, which speak not only of bravery, courage, vision, and heroism, but also the lack of good character, selfishness, and shortsightedness.
I do look forward to diving more into several of the explorers mentioned here, with several books in the queue, and by going to the original sources will be able to correct any erroneous info stated in this book.
August 18, 2018
Loved this. I hope to find it in physical form for my personal library.
January 14, 2020
Great information for my upcoming trip to Antarctic, easy to read, well written and very interesting.
May 7, 2023
Polar Exploration
Good book, easy to read. I've read each of the books of the stories written here, and found information not listed in some of the other books. In particular the book I read about Franklin was very thorough, but his party was never found in that book .. the story of Franklin in this book Has the answers of what happened to each member of the party.
Good book, easy to read. I've read each of the books of the stories written here, and found information not listed in some of the other books. In particular the book I read about Franklin was very thorough, but his party was never found in that book .. the story of Franklin in this book Has the answers of what happened to each member of the party.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews