The Conquest of the North and South Poles: Adventures of the Peary and Byrd Expeditions

U.S. Landmark Books #27

by Russell Owen

Discover of North and South Poles.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

181 pages

First published January 1, 1952

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting but outdated accounts of pioneering American expeditions to the North and South poles. I found the second account of the South Pole work far more engaging since the author was an eye witness who had been invited to attend too. Details the many attempts at achieving their goals, a pro to the book is the concentration on how determined the men were personally to accomplish what they each set out to do, even after many setbacks and do overs. The gumption and perseverance of each is commendable.

Content considerations: Outdated and offensive term ‘Eskimos’ used throughout for the Inuit people, only one or two individuals are actually named. The author references the Inuit people via sweeping generalizations — that they were secretive, smelly, did not take care of themselves or their homes, were shocked a person could miss family. Ending Part 1 is a note that a close friend had died and that later it came out the an Inuit murdered him by shooting him. Matthew Henson is referred to using the outdated and offensive phrase “colored man” a few of times.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geography for form 2.

[Amy Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The first half is definitely more exciting on Peary going to the North Pole, and the second half is about the expedition led by Byrd to fly to the South Pole, plus the other scientific exploration accomplished by that team. Owen personally knew people from the Peary team and went on the Byrd expedition himself as a NY Times writer. You could tell he felt the South Pole expedition was even more important, but it wasn't as exciting. I appreciate, though, that Landmark authors are "living authors" who care about and are personally invested in their subjects. This book is in the American history section of the Landmark books; so he mainly covers American explorers, not the actual first ones (like Amundsen and Scott) to the Poles.

[Melani Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some insensitive lines about Inuits toward the beginning of the book so I was concerned if I would want to give this to my children. I did some mom editing and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the book. It gave me a thirst to read more about the poles and to look at maps and know what has been discovered since this was written. That makes for a successful book to read in our homeschool. I already ordered a book about Matthew Henson to go with it and will look for something to give some perspective from the Inuits.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad kids book, and was a good overview of polar exploration for me. The section on the South Pole exploration was a treat because it’s written by a NY Times reporter who went on the expedition with Byrd. The first-person bits are fun, with lots of interesting anecdotes and observations.
I do agree with another reviewer that there is some insensitive, archaic language and attitudes here so it would be worth going over with your kids to explain Eskimo vs Inuit, etc. That’s just part of reading old books though. (Lookin’ at you, Mark Twain…)

[LaWindes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Overland to North pole. First plane flight to South pole. Needs better maps!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is about the man who walked to the North pole he trid for year's with out secsses on one trip his foot were frosen sou bad to the had the aputat almost all his towes but the did not stop him he just ceped going and going and going entel he fanle reach the north pole. The secened half of the book is about the man who flouw rover the North and South pole's his fleot to the South pole was more exting then his fliet to the North pole.

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

See Mom.