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To the Ends of the Earth: The Truth Behind the Glory of Polar Exploration
This fascinating social history of polar expeditions examines the cultural trends that produced these daring, even reckless journeys.
From the late-17th to the early 20th century, intrepid explorers from America and Europe risked (and sometimes lost) their lives exploring the forbidding, uncharted landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica. What drove these men to undertake these seemingly impossible journeys? In this deeply researched book, author John Dippel makes a convincing case that dozens of polar expeditions were motivated less by courageous idealism than personal ambition and national interests.
The author traces the ways in which men of unbridled ambition responded to society's need for heroes by masking their true intentions behind patriotic sentiments or noble claims about advancing science. In so doing they frequently put their own lives and those of the men in their command at enormous risk. At the same time, they projected an attitude of cultural superiority, looking down on indigenous arctic people as "savages." This disrespect and ignorance of native means of transportation, diet, shelter, and knowledge of the terrain often led explorers into disaster, where men perished from starvation and exposure or nearly lost their minds. In the end, the failure of so many polar expeditions exposed the limits of humanity's control of nature and helped to undermine faith in inevitable progress. As Dippel notes, this new consciousness has continued to influence our thinking in the present day.
Readers who have heard of the incredible exploits of such famous explorers as Robert F. Scott, Roald Amundsen, James Cook, and Robert Peary will find in this book an intriguing explanation for what impelled these men to endure unimaginable cold, near-starvation, and years of isolation at the ends of the earth.
From the late-17th to the early 20th century, intrepid explorers from America and Europe risked (and sometimes lost) their lives exploring the forbidding, uncharted landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica. What drove these men to undertake these seemingly impossible journeys? In this deeply researched book, author John Dippel makes a convincing case that dozens of polar expeditions were motivated less by courageous idealism than personal ambition and national interests.
The author traces the ways in which men of unbridled ambition responded to society's need for heroes by masking their true intentions behind patriotic sentiments or noble claims about advancing science. In so doing they frequently put their own lives and those of the men in their command at enormous risk. At the same time, they projected an attitude of cultural superiority, looking down on indigenous arctic people as "savages." This disrespect and ignorance of native means of transportation, diet, shelter, and knowledge of the terrain often led explorers into disaster, where men perished from starvation and exposure or nearly lost their minds. In the end, the failure of so many polar expeditions exposed the limits of humanity's control of nature and helped to undermine faith in inevitable progress. As Dippel notes, this new consciousness has continued to influence our thinking in the present day.
Readers who have heard of the incredible exploits of such famous explorers as Robert F. Scott, Roald Amundsen, James Cook, and Robert Peary will find in this book an intriguing explanation for what impelled these men to endure unimaginable cold, near-starvation, and years of isolation at the ends of the earth.
- GenresHistory
352 pages, Hardcover
Published March 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 29, 2018
Some good analysis of Arctic exploration history that gets lost in a thoroughly unfocused narrative. The book needed editing (and copy editing as well; lots of typos). Dippel meanders across time and place, often within the same paragraph, provides minimal context and history for the expeditions he discusses, and repeats himself endlessly. And if you are unfamiliar with polar history don’t even attempt this one; half the time or more you won’t know who and what he’s talking about.
I’m amazed this made it out of a respectable publishing house. Someone should have sat him down and said “Focus!” It could have been quite good, and in a few places it is, but too often he staggers about like one of the last survivors of the Franklin Expedition, trying to find something to save himself and never grasping it.
I’m amazed this made it out of a respectable publishing house. Someone should have sat him down and said “Focus!” It could have been quite good, and in a few places it is, but too often he staggers about like one of the last survivors of the Franklin Expedition, trying to find something to save himself and never grasping it.
December 31, 2020
The book is disorganised, jumps from topic to topic, explorer to explorer and between time lines. The story completely omits the last 80 years (nothing newer than Byrd's stay in Antarctica is covered). Mr. Dippel too often repeats himself, doesn't pronounce very many opinions, contradicts himself between chapters. I guess there was no time for editing as the book is plagued by typos. Above all, the book doesn't have any narrative and those who never read about polar explorers will probably be lost among its pages.
September 16, 2023
This was quite an extensively researched book about polar exploration. I commend the author for citing various sources. It certainly was no easy feat but the overall result was a satisfying and informative read.
I scoured some reviews mid-read and although I acknowledge the various typos here and there, I didn't find an issue with continuity or prose. One might find a repeating of a certain explorer or expedition tedious but for me, personally, I felt it necessary. It kept me refreshed on that particular subject or topic.
This is a good book to refer to for research and also for discovering facts about some other explorers besides the widely known Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen. This book also explores the psychological turmoil and aftermath of the various peoples who set foot on the top and bottom of the world and lived to tell the tale.
I am glad to have read this book.
I scoured some reviews mid-read and although I acknowledge the various typos here and there, I didn't find an issue with continuity or prose. One might find a repeating of a certain explorer or expedition tedious but for me, personally, I felt it necessary. It kept me refreshed on that particular subject or topic.
This is a good book to refer to for research and also for discovering facts about some other explorers besides the widely known Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen. This book also explores the psychological turmoil and aftermath of the various peoples who set foot on the top and bottom of the world and lived to tell the tale.
I am glad to have read this book.
August 9, 2024
Badly organized, in dire need of proofing and editing, and repetitive. Stories of explorers and their expeditions are conflated and confused. Glad I picked this up as a remaindered hardcover instead of paying full price and I will not be adding it to my permanent collection of books about the polar regions.
October 23, 2025
I give this book a 3.5. It was clearly well researched and provided good insight into what drove people to the north and south pole. The beginning of the book did a better job of holding my attention towards the end I was having a hard time focusing. It truly is a good read if your interested in exploration and the artic regions.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews