Scott of the Antarctic: A Life of Courage and Tragedy

by David Crane

A richly illuminating biography of Robert Falcon Scott, and the first to transcend the myths that have taken root in the story of his life.

Since Scott’s death in 1912, he has been the subject of innumerable books—some declaring him a hero, others dismissing him as an irresponsible fool. But in all the pages that have been written about him, the man behind the legend has been forgotten or distorted beyond all recognition. Now, with full access to all family papers and to the voluminous diaries and records of key participants in the Antarctic expeditions, and with the inclusion in the book of excerpts from Scott’s own letters and diaries, David Crane gives us a portrait of the explorer that is more nuanced and balanced than any we have had before. In reassessing Scott’s life, Crane is able to provide a fresh perspective on both the Discovery expedition of 1901–04 and the Terra Nova expedition of 1910–13, making clear that although Scott’s dramatic journeys are the most compelling parts of his story, they are only part of a larger narrative that includes remarkable scientific achievement and the challenges of a tumultuous private life.

Scott’s own voice echoes through the pages. His descriptions of the monumental landscape of Antarctica and its fatal and icy beauty are breathtaking. And his honest, heartfelt letters and diaries give the reader an unforgettable account of the challenges he faced both in his personal life and as a superlative leader of men in possibly the world’s harshest environment.

The result is an absolutely convincing portrait of a complicated hero.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Adventure

572 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

David Crane read history and English at Oxford University before becoming a lecturer at universities in the Netherlands, Japan, and Africa.

He is the acclaimed biographer of Scott of the Antarctic and of Edward Trelawny, companion of Byron and Shelley. He also wrote The Kindness Of Sisters, an account of the relationship between Byron's widow and his sister-in-law, who bore his child. His book, Empires Of The Dead, about Fabian Ware and the building of the First World War cemeteries, was shortlisted for the 2013 Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction.

He lives in northwest Scotland.

There is more than one author by the name David Crane on Goodreads
David Crane: Video Game Designer
David Crane: Screenplays

Reviews

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a punch in the gut

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exhaustive, or just exhausting? This isn't a book strictly about the Antarctic expedition: it's about Scott. But just how much of his rather boring and unexceptional upbringing can a writer ask us to sit through? Crane hasn't even reached the tip of the iceberg at page 150. Nearly a book's worth of material better left out, as far as I was concerned. Surely people reading this book are reading it mainly for details of the expedition, no?

Also, Crane seems fairly unfair to Scott's men, especially Shackleton (not that I would know, really, but the sheer bulk of justification that Crane uses to clear Scott of the charge of incompetence (leveled time and time again in other books on the expedition) necessarily places the blame on everyone else involved). I do not say that Crane is wrong, or that Scott was/wasn't incompetent, merely that the detours in rhetoric that Crane treats us to are excruciating and rather bald. Is it necessary that a biographer love his subject, or is it enough that he be interested? I think I would prefer the latter. It would certainly make for a more interesting book.

But then, if you absolutely must know every single thing about the man, by all means, enjoy.

[Hilary Mak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a slog…. Recommended by a friend .
Got through it in the end 😂

[Matthew Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though this is the only biography of Scott that I've read, I doubt there is another as fair or as comprehensive as this one. Thankfully, Crane doesn't allow the scale of the work to become an excuse for dullness. Whilst lengthy, the book is remarkably focused, with a strong start and poignant ending and elegant writing throughout. Crane does well to contextualise Scott and to address the contradictions and quirks of his life and the shifts in his legacy.

Scott and his companions are often allowed to speak for themselves, and this is a strength of the work. My only complaint might be the suddenness of the end, which lacks any wrap-up or details on Scott's surviving companions. However, my edition did feature a Q&A section from Crane, and he explains some of his creative decisions and provides a reasonable explanation for this, and it comes down to a matter of taste. It's still a five-star work, in my opinion.

[Ranulph24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography shows Robert Falcon Scott as a human. Not a tragic hero, an reckless adventurer, naval captain etc., but a human being, with his strengths and weaknesses.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I doubt that anyone has written a more complete biography on Scott. The author David Crane exhibits a great understanding of the man and his times. Crane has clearly done more than just research his topic in archives and libraries, as is made plain at the end of the book, where a Q.& A. section, accompanied with his own photographs, show that Crane has sampled Scott's domain at Cape Evans.
'Scott of the Antarctic' (2005) is such a complete and well balanced biog. I have learned so much that has been completely new of a long time hero of mine. His family background, naval career, the 1901-4 'Discovery' expedition, his relationship and marriage to Kathleen Bruce, (as much of an enigma as Scott himself) and the final 'Terra Nova' expedition.
The narrative is supported by the right amount of letters, logs, diaries, reports and previous biographical publications and related memoirs from the likes of the epic writings of Cherry-Garrard to the scientific analysis of Susan Solomon and the contemporary exploits of Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Yet, it is the deep understanding of the early twentieth century 'heroic' age and it's literature that also shines brightly through Crane's work.
As the front cover proclaims, this certainly is 'the definitive biography'.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on a fascinating subject and a complex man. This is a bit of re-revisionism seeking to add luster to the image of Robert Falcon Scott - an image which has seen great heights but which, in more recent years, has suffered. It is a bit densely written, but the subject matter makes it worth a little more effort.

[Jonna. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far the best biography of Robert Falcon Scott. Why? Because the author does not see him as the tragic hero, or as the incompetent fool, he sees Scott as a man.

This book is about Scott not (as the title says) about Scott of the antarctic, so if you only want to know about the expedition, this book isnt the right one for you, I guess.
BUT if you are interested in the man himself I highly recommend this one to you.
1. it isnt biased at all and Crane mentiones the good sides of Scott but also the bad ones.
2. there are many sources which support the statements Crane makes and interesting maps, photographs and letter extracts.
3. the writing style isnt too-biografy-boring at all! it is fun to read and the chapters are well organized.

It is a long read yes, but if you´re interested in the topic, you will feel like you know everything about Scott after reading this.

[Cynthia Bender Dodds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading about early day explorers, and I learned a lot about Robert Falcon Scott from this book. I didn't know that he and his Polar party had died until I read "The Worst Journey in the World" by one of his party's members who didn't participate in the final journey to the Pole. It was also a riveting story. It's hard to imagine what these men went through in the horrible climate and terrible conditions of the polar regions. They had none of our modern technology and most had no idea what they were getting into. We still don't know for sure what happened to Scott and his four companions on that final journey apart from the diaries and papers the rescue team found. They are fascinating to read, and even though the British were second to the Pole after the Norwegians, their story is both mesmerizing and harrowing.

[Louisa Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and thorough account of the life of a complex, flawed but ultimately incredibly courageous individual. As David Crane points out, Scott is the subject of either hagiography or huge criticism and this book does a great job of balancing his flaws with the undeniable achievements and the characteristics that led men to follow him to the end.
Scott’s own diaries are phenomenal reading but this adds a sober objective voice to them which renders the final sections even more moving. If you’re interested in polar exploration- a must read

[Kat Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very detailed but left me still feeling that the analysis of Scott was still a bit underdeveloped. Appreciated the details about his wife, who seemed could fill a book herself.

[Thomas Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best recent biography of the explorer. Crane charts a discerning course between the “Heroic Legend” of Scott’s Last Expedition and its leader’s overzealous debunkers and defenders. While acknowledging the justice of most criticisms of Scott’s naval methods, Crane rescues him from the outright character assassination begun by Roland Huntford. In analyzing Scott’s leadership, Crane contrasts the inexperienced but confident young officer of the Discovery Expedition with the man who returned to Antarctica a decade latter, beset by family and financial worries, unsure of himself in his strange marriage, and embittered by his rivalry with Shackleton. That this man lost the Pole to Amundsen was almost predetermined; yet, Crane accepts the conclusion reached by Susan Solomon and Scott’s own Message to the Public: that extraordinary weather on the Barrier, not his expedition’s flaws, killed Scott and his companions. To this biographer, Robert Falcon Scott’s idealism—realized fully only in his death—redeemed him as a man, if not quite as an explorer. Whether or not the reader finds Crane’s arguments convincing, his book is meticulously researched and marvelously written. Only its relative paucity of illustrations, given the wealth of photographs available, was a minor disappointment.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thorough work - gives the reader a good idea of the life and character of Robert Scott, the British Captain/explorer who got to the South Pole in Jan 1912, only to learn that he had been outplayed by the Norwegian Amundsen (the 1st human who conquered the South Pole in Dec 1911, less than 1 month before Scott did reach it w/ his party of 5).

The work captures beautifully the personal journey Scott undertook to find himself, negotiating between an uniformed life in service and his inner aim for a "free of social programming" self; it describes well the challenges that Scott had faced in order to get his expeditions going, as well as the drama of the last weeks of the last (second) journey to Antarctica.

Why not 5 *s? As with many other serious (500+ pages) biographies, this one too is not equal in pace/info/intensity. Some periods of Scott's life are better reflected/documented than others. This can be excused, given the outstanding volume of information that is still put at our disposal in the end.

PS: It is an easy read for a book that can intimidate any potential reader w/ its 2.5 lbs .... //:o)

[Greynomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to women, Scott was a bloody wurst. I am surprised that his wife didn't take over the trek to the South Pole. Horse's, did not Scott understand the limitations of bringing horses on the trek south…..? At least with dogs when they died they provided fodder for the other dogs. Amundsen understood this and as such got to the pole a month ahead of Scott. Another problem I had with Scott's planning was the food allocation for the animals and men on their treks. Constantly under estimating the food consumption which of course led to reduced rations in the worst of conditions.
Another point of concern was coming down with scurvy on Scott's first trip to the Antarctica. Dumb is being dumb considering that Captain Cook back in the 1700's did not have one case of scurvy in his trip o the Pacific because he understood the value of lemon juice. But then again the Royal Navy was not one to rush into keeping the health of their sailors a top priority…….
As much as I believe Scott was wrong in many area's I for one lived with Scott on his return north. I finally just broke down and wept as the author brings you to their very last days………….

[Mark Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as preparation/research to perform in the play, Terra Nova, that tells the story of the doomed Scott expedition in the race to be the first humans to reach the South Pole. Jason makes a good point about the ponderous introduction, but the book itself is fascinating. Not only does it illuminate Scott himself, but many of the people around him, including Dr. Wilson, Evans, and the other members of the actual expedition. It also fills in much of the background of Scott's life, and how he came to be an explorer in the first place, and about his previous Antarctic experience. A good read for anyone who enjoys biographies, and anyone who likes tales of true-life adventures. The journey to the South Pole was unprecedented, and even though Scott and his team lost the race and didn't make it back alive, it is nonetheless a compelling story.

[Elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is incredibly frustrating. I picked it up after really enjoying Roland Huntford's The Last Place on Earth. That book is engaging and thoroughly researched, but it has been criticized for being unduly harsh on Scott. I thought I would try something a bit more sympathetic to his perspective, and I decided to read this biography.

Crane tries to paint an accurate portrait of Scott, attempting to characterize both his bravery and his occasional incompetence. It doesn't work because Crane never takes Scott's incompetence seriously. I agree that Scott had redeeming qualities, but Crane relies too much on Scott's own diaries and writings without taking seriously the fact that they were always meant for publication. Crane never seriously interrogates Scott's final journal and letters as obvious attempts to preserve his reputation after the run to the pole turned disastrous.

[Sue]

**June 6, 1868. When British explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole in January 1912, he discovered that he had lost the "Race for the Pole" by only one month to Norwegian Roald Amundsen. Then, to the shock of the rest of the world, Scott and his entire party perished while attempting to return home. Author David Crane uses Scott's own diaries and letters to probe the explorer's life and voyages, providing a fresh perspective on the man behind the myth. Dramatic details of polar exploration make Scott of the Antarctic a treat for readers who like tales of survival and discovery.

[Rebecca Haslam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say I'd ever really thought out Captain Scott and his adventures to the Pole, but I found this book in a store that was shutting down and decided to give it a shot. At over 500 pages, it's one of the longest I have read in recent years, but the detail contained within it therefore is not surprising. I may not have given much thought to the men (and the animals) that perished on such dangerous journeys, but the last chapter or so in particular was enough to make me feel proud of what they accomplished.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

More or less the only book on Scott that reaches beyond the endless squabbling over him and paints a portrait that persuasively shows how much bigger, more complex, and more contradictory he was than any of the cartoonish hero/fool accounts suggest. I was reminded of Roy Jenkins on Churchill: what a strange thing it is to have about six ordinary-sized human beings packed into one life.

[Amy Corton · Rating 3 out of 5]

had to skip some parts, too much info about his marriage etc which I found pretty boring! getting through this enormous book was a feat of endurance, some parts of it were great but I didn't need to know every tiny detail of scott's life.

[Bob Peru · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's cold in antarctica. real real cold. if ya don't read the whole book, read the last chapter.

[Karen]

Recommended as the most balanced biography of the famed Antarctic explorer - Robert Falcon Scott.

[SJMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book fascinating. I wanted to learn more about this great man and wasn't disappointed.