My Life as an Explorer

by Roald Amundsen

My life as an Explorer is a classic of Polar literature, written by the one man to do more to further the exploration of both Polar regions than any other person. First sailing to the Antarctic in the 1899 Belgian expedition, Amundsen never lost his passion for exploring, following this trip with a journey around the top of Canada to prove the existence of the North West Passage between 1903 and 1906. Setting sail for the Antarctic a full month or so after Scott, Amundsen still managed to beat the British team to the Pole by a full month. Making a lot of money out of shipping during the First World War, Amundsen followed his epic journeys by being only the second man to travel around d the to of Siberia from Atlantic to Pacific oceans, then flying over the North Pole by airship. He died in 1928.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure, Travel, Biography, Memoir, History, Autobiography

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) was Norwegian explorer, first man to reach the South Pole (1911).

Roald Amundsen first navigated completely Amundsen Gulf, an inlet, opening of the Arctic Ocean in Northwest Territories, Canada, on the Beaufort Sea, during his expedition of 1903 to 1906 to the region.

A Norwegian expedition explored and named Amundsen Sea, an arm of the southern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica, in the late 1920s.

At the turn of the late 19th century, Amundsen led the expedition successfully to traverse the Northwest Passage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roald_A...

Reviews

[Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of bitterness in this book, which is understandable considering that he was being erased from history by the British and the Italians even while still alive. A complete change of tone compared to "The south pole".

If you're interested in Amundsen's life, do not read this book first. Read "The Last Viking: The Life of Roald Amundsen" by R. Brown. "My life as an explorer" needs context to be properly understood. Otherwise it seems boring and angry.

[Roberto Rigolin F Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amundsen endured to visit both poles, the most inhospitable places in this planet. Absolutely genius, one of the finest explorers ever lived! However, wasted half of his autobiography talking about an unscrupulous Italian named Nobile. If it is your first book on polar exploration, start with "the last place on earth" or "the last Viking". Then you are going to understand his autobiography.

[Katarzyna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit too much whining

[S V B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really surprised at how easy this was to read, it's unusual as an 'heroic age' memoir because it's: 1) short and 2) pacey as hell. I tried reading Huntford's book on Amundsen and it felt like wading through sludge. I read this in one go while I was stuck in an airport.

The main criticism I have of it is how much of it is dedicated to Nobile being an idiot. It felt like half the book! There are some fantastic parts in this but DAMN.

Whenever I read anything about Nobile my brain goes Mario on me "It's a-me! Nobile! I fly the airship, oh!"

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers two subject areas: 1) the preparation for and execution of physically demanding and logistically complicated expeditions and 2) settling the score with Umberto Nobile over credit for completing an air traverse of the North Pole.

The first subject was compelling. It's remarkable that at such a young age Amundsen knew what he wanted out of life, guiding his actions and decisions along a singular path. He also did a great job of calling out the mundane details needed to pull off a successful expedition. Success is earned in the planning stages, not when you're out in the middle of nowhere with your team. This bood is a good reminder that anticipating difficulties and having contingency plans in place is a good idea even for weekend warriors spending a few days in the back country.

The second subject didn't hold my interest. If true, it's a shame that the glory for his traverse was claimed by Mussolini's government, and I'm sure Amundsen felt the need to plead his case (which was done well). But I just didn't find it to be interesting reading.

Amundsen was an amazing man who accomplished great things. This book would have been much better had it focused on his accomplishments and his training for those expeditions.

[Dennis Mansell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting details but the last half is a rant about how Nobile didn't contribute to the Norge North Pole expedition, which is by now a footnote in history. Amundsen is however the greatest polar explorer of all time so reading this book is no waste.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting explorer, but his autobiography didn't capture my attention.

[Warren Wulff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short but incisive autobiography of arguably the greatest polar explorer of any age. Before his untimely death, Amundsen was getting pretty bitter and he really let it fly about those who crossed him. Although the truth usually lies in the middle between two arguing parties, his descriptions of the way some people act come across as truthful in the main. I think we can all relate, Roald.

The book is best when it describes his overall philosophy of exploration and his wise insistance on careful planning. Only by thinking through what you are planning, then testing and correcting, and asking others for input can you then do something inherently risky with a reasonable chance of success. He had the natural bravado of an explorer, but he was not ashamed to admit to how much reading, discussing, thinking, planning, and testing occurred before he attempted an expedition. It's refreshing to hear a truly successful person admit to preparation, now that we live in an age where people wish to make it all seem natural and easy. Nike's motto of "Just do it" would be alarming to Amundsen. To be rash is simply to be an adventurer, and soon a dead one. To be meticulous is to be a successful explorer.

[Natia Gogichaishvili]

ყველგან ადამიანური დრამებია, გინდა პოლუსზე წადი და გინდა - მარსზე.

პ.ს. ეს გიჟი მკვლევრები ♡♡♡

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page-turner and a fast-paced read for me. The great Norwegian discoverer, the first in the world to conquer the Northwest Passage and the South Pole. Amundsen learned many of his polar survival skills from the Inuits he came into contact with while residing in the Arctic during his ice-filled adventure prior to his expedition to the South Pole. A LARGE section of this work, however, concerns the 'scoundrel' Italian named 'Nobile'.

Amundsen's personal life certainly reflected that, despite his historic achievements, he was 'born for trouble, as sparks fly upward' (Job 5:6-7), many resulting from his self-created problems.

-Excerpts:

"All my experience in Polar work had convinced me that dogs were the only practicable draught animals for use in snow and ice. They are quick, strong, sure-footed, intelligent, and able to negotiate any terrain that man himself can traverse."

"... the huge form of a Polar bear in hot pursuit... As soon as I reached the gangway and turned to run on board, the bear stretched me to the ground with a well-aimed blow on my back. I fell on my broken arm – face down – and expected to be finished right away. But no – my lucky star had not stopped shining yet."

"My dream of years had come true! My career as an explorer had been crowned with success in practically the last of the great possible achievements. We had crossed the Arctic Ocean from continent to continent."

[Loreley · Rating 4 out of 5]

საბოლოოდ დავრწმუნდი რომ ავტობიოგრაფიების კითხვა არ მიყვარს დიდად. თუ თან სხვა მასალებსაც არ გაეცანი, ერთი მხრიდან გიწევს შეხედვა ყველაფერზე და მთლიან სურათს ვერ იღებ. რა დავიჯერო და რა არა არ ვიცი ხოლმე :დ ამ კონკრეტულ წიგნთან კიდე ის პრობლემა მაქვს რომ ძალიან ფრაგმენტული იყო. ზოგ მონაკვეთზე კიდე ისე ჩაიციკლა რომ ჯობდა მთელი წიგნი მაგისთვის მიეძღვნა. საწყალი ძაღლები კიდე :'( რუკებიც რომ ჰქონოდა წიგნს კაი იქნებოდა ისე.
ნუ საბოლოო ჯამში მაინც მომეწონა, იმიტომ რომ მაინტერესებდა ეს ადამიანი და ზოგადად პოლარულ რეგიონებში კვლევა :3

[Moneta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about Amundsen because he was such a successful polar explorer and yet is often overshadowed. Towards the end of his book he makes the distinction between "adventure" and "exploration" stating that "...an adventure is merely a bit of bad planning..."

[George Farrants · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first Norwegian edition which contains details of the Nobile conflict. (It was toned down in later editions.) Fascinating.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Побеждает тот, у кого все в порядке; кое-кто называет это везением. Поражение непременно ожидает того, кто не принял заблаговременно нужных мер; это называют невезением."

"Вообще, есть только одно средство добиться, чтобы работа была выполнена по-настоящему добросовестно: поручить ее тем, кто будет пользоваться ее плодами. Они знают, какая задача поставлена, и работают не только затем, чтобы достичь цели, но и чтобы вернуться."

Великий норвежский первооткрыватель, первым в мире покоривший Северо-Западного проход и Южный полюс.

Часть "Моя жизнь" посвящена юношеству, первым экспедициям, в том числе по Северо-Западному проходу. Руаль с детства мечтал стать полярником и исследователем и даже чуть не погиб в подростковом возрасте, отправившись с другом исследовать северные земли. Он вел спартанский образ жизни: много занимался спортом, закаливался, готовя себя к суровым условиям севера.

Часть "Южный полюс" посвящена непосредственно этой экспедиции. Вообще, Амундсен мечтал открыть Северный полюс, долго к этому готовился, но за несколько дней перед выходом в море до полюса добралась экспедиция американца Роберта Пири (6 апреля 1909 года) и цель перестала быть такой заманчивой.

Не долго думая, Амундсен решил, а была-не была, идем к Южному! Не поставив никого в известность, чтобы избежать политических проблем (в то же самое время к Южному полюсу шел англичанин Роберт Скотт), исследователь с командой двинулся в путь. Команда, кстати, тоже перебы��ала в неведении до поры до времени, но очень обрадовалась смене курса.

БОльшая часть книги - это рассказ о подготовке, которую Амундсен начал задолго до отплытия. Поражает его навык планирования и способность продумывать все до мелочей. Экспедиция должна была год прожить в Антарктиде и с наступлением местного лета совершить марш-бросок до самой южной точки планеты.

Они привезли с собой дом (!!!), тонны продовольствия, экипировку и больше сотни собак. Именно благодаря пушистым спутникам и правильным решениям, принятым командиром, экспедиция увенчалась успехом.

Амундсен со своими людьми первым добрался до полюса и вернулся в полном составе обратно. Скотт тоже достиг цели, но, к сожалению, он и вся команда погибли на обратном пути. Вот какое значение имела подготовка, правильно подобранные животные (Скотт шел на пони!) и верные решения, принятые в нужный момент.

Очень понравилась книга!

[Artsalnov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Не в первый раз замечаю, что все вот эти вот записки и мемуары о путешествиях просто супер как интересны!
До этого также цепляли приключения Дарвина на корабле "Бигль".
Поскольку гудридс не позволяет ставить промежуточных оценок, поставлю пятёрку, хотя книжка ближе к 4.3-4.5 баллам.
В целом обе части книги очень захватывающи, не смотря на то, что мужик пишет достаточно сухо, местами проскальзывает достаточное чувство юмора и, наверное, практически триллеры, а не главы. Особенно при непосредственном описании похода к южному полюсу, там вся глава держит в напряжении.

И да, сразу понятно откуда черпали вдохновение Лавкрафт и Карпентер!
Все эти трещины в толще, ледяные пейзажи, мощные пики горных гигантов, собаки в упряжках, люди, проваливающиеся в бездны. Сразу приходят на ум Хребты безумия вперемешку с Нечто!

В книге было много фотографий, весьма занимательных. Сразу понятен масштаб экспедиции, что за корабль, какие у них там были базы и туннели.

Пы.Сы. Собачек жалко.

[Mason Parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. This was a man who, in various forms, reached both poles and traversed the northwest and northeast passages. I thought he'd have interesting things to say and interesting stories to tell, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the writing. The book was frequently funny and I came to like Roald Amundsen a great deal more after reading the book.
There were moments I considered stopping during his protracted explaination of the troubles of the Norge flight, but I think even that extended treatment is very interesting, especially considering the circumstances of his death. Which, obviously, are not included in the autobiography but I encourage anyone to look up, especially in connection to the book.

[Richard Gullickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the south pole and the first to transit the Northwest passage, gives a summary of all his great adventures. He prevails because he is willing to learn survival from the indigenous arctic people and because of his physical fitness and strong background in cross country skiing. This book covers his airship flights across the north pole and his tensions with his Italian partners. I especially enjoyed the discussion of his first adventure of attempting to cross the arctic plateau between Oslo and the west coast of Norway in winter. He and his companion barely survived but this experience is fundamental to the meticulous planning that Amundsen becomes famous for in all future trips.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some have said it sounds bitter and angry.
well he has a right. He was poorly treated by the English, who nastily congratulated "his dogs" for succeeding and raved about luck.

He learned from the Inuit, did not dismiss them as "lazy" or "savages" and therefore prepared well.
Using fur rather than wool, having fresh meat - yes even the dogs - and using dogs and skis rather than Scotts ponies and engines.

It still wasn't easy but because he succeeded rather than a "man of the empire" and because Scott and his party died, he didn't get enough recognition from the rest of the world.

Its a good read when you remember this. He was one of the last of the great explorers.

[Jon Norimann · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Life as an Explorer is a two hour read where the great explorer himself expands on a few issues he held dear in his life. Amundsen is known as a direct personality taking orders from now one, something clearly including editors and publishers. This the book is not quite as rash and harsh as I expected. The Amundsen of this book is a thoughtful, mild person, keen on praising everyone except one Italian. Biographies are not my favorite type of books but this has become a nice short read giving me new insights into both the person Amundsen and early polar exploration.

[legolasik]

Not the best first book to read about Amundsen. It leaves out the South Pole expedition except for info on food & planning (still interesting), contains little on his other expeditions and maybe too much about the beef with Nobile. Still, it was interesting to read about Amundsen's motivation, beliefs, and discipline as well as his failures, which he discusses honestly and openly. Easy to read and engaging.

[Shawn Seitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across a leadership video suggesting the less well known Amundsen was a better example of good leadership when compared with his contemporary Shackleton so I grabbed this book. It is certainly told from Amundsen’s point of view and is a good opinion to add to my understanding of the time. I did not find a ton of leadership lessons or life lessons in the book.

[Katherine M. Ginty · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the horse's mouth.

Lately I have been diving into books about famous explorers, from Teddy Roosevelt in the Amazon to Shackleton in the polar regions. I have enjoyed them tremendously and have several more already awaiting me on my Kindle. This book is Amundsen's autobiography, and he minces no words. The good guys are honored and the bad ones called out.

[Svitlana Kerakova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Людина все життя шукає та кудись поспішає. Вона так влаштована. Хоче цього чи ні. Усвідомлює або навіть не здогадується. Вона постійно в пошуках сенсу, в пошуках себе. Кожен обирає свій шлях. Хтось його, хтось релігію, хтось улюблене ремесло. А хтось подорожі. Поодинокі подорожі.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having watched the film "Amundsen" I decided to read this book but was disappointed to find that the author spends most of his time complaining about Nobile, the Italian charged with flying the "Norge" balloon. However, I really enjoyed the segments about Amundsen's exploits which are admirable.

[Shaun Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how this found it way on to the best exploration books

Amundsen was a great explorer who achieved many great trips. However in this book he spends a lot of time justifying his action to Scott and the Italians in his trip over the Pole as such it sadly becomes boring

[Thomas A Finklea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am unseen gives a candid account

This autobiography is a great account of the explorer's life journey. He is undoubtedly a man that stood by his team. There is a message here for all of us modern folk.

[Hannah Staff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Litt interessant, men mye klaging og bitching som en tenåringsjente

[Kallal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Barbpie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting to read Amundsen’s own account of his explorations.

[Manuela Trindade · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5