The Lost Patrol: The Mounties' Yukon Tragedy

by Dick North

A spellbinding true tale worthy of Jack London.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Ashley Marchand · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book is very heavy on facts, distances, lots of names, and is a little tough to follow at times. The second half of the book is the retelling of the patrol from the diaries of FItzgerald and is the part I enjoyed the most. I have no idea how these men lasted so long in such frigid temperatures and bitter conditions. A very good read for history-buffs or people with interest or ties to the RCMP.

[Sarah Bodaly · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the time of the Yukon Gold Rush, Mounties were dispatched to patrol the Canadian portion of the route north and maintain order. Once a year, they headed south with their report. It was a dog sled journey of a month, crossing miles of barren snowy wasteland, in temperatures that averaged -40 F., and days upon days of not seeing any creature outside of the dogs and few people that were part of the expedition.
This practice of delivering the report in the only way possible in the early days of the 1900s continued. Until one year the men never showed up at headquarters. A full month of waiting, and another party was sent out to see what could be discovered.
This book gives background into the four men who died in service - their past military and Mountie careers, as well as what details survived of their last trek. Gleaned from copious diary entries, and interviews of the few people they did meet along the way, the route they took, as well as the decisions that led to them becoming hopelessly lost in the Canadian North are given. Yes, one goes into the book knowing that the main characters will unfortunately die, but there is so much good information about these men and their character and fortitude, that it really was a gripping and interesting read.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

The first thing that came across my mind upon completion is that the current world is soft! Even today, with all the modern tools, making that trip is still considered a massive undertaking. The modern Dempster highway is the Trans Canada Highway in comparison to what these men followed during the hay day of the patrols. The highway fittingly is named after one of the featured NWMP in this book. Dempster traveled the area extensively with the help of First Nations' guides and was credited with finding the remains of the men from the lost patrol. Speaking of First Nation's guides, I found it hyper interesting that the lost patrol was the only expedition of the era that had not hired a First Nations guide for the journey. Ultimately, they succumbed to death all because some egotistical man named Carter thought he knew better or at least enough.

Interesting piece of our Canadian history.

[Branden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like his other books I enjoyed dick Norths detailed story telling, he always puts a good perspective on what life was like in these harsh climates for these men.

as a Canadian I think this is a good read for Canadian history on the trials and tribulations that went I go establishing this country

[Hayden · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Dick North is the best at writing about the inhospitality of the North while retaining its allure. I enjoyed how the book focused on the individuals before their fatal patrol as it showed their hardiness. Despite knowing the end, I couldn't help but root for the mounties in the face of insurmountable conditions.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

An account of some extremely robust men who helped open the North West.

[Elijah Reinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic story of the lost patrol. A Mistake of a few miles led the deaths of 4 NWMP officers.
This is one of those books you cant put down. Read this in 6 hours.

[Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tyler Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story is one of historical importance,I found the book to be very difficult to read and struggled to want to continue on. The book at times felt as if I was reading a textbook.

[Beth Oehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some northern history…tough story…hard even to read.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diligently researched account of a little-known (at least to Americans) tragedy of the Yukon frontier. Sadly, North's account is dry as dust, so none of the doomed men nor those who try to rescue or aid them come alive in these pages. North also dedicates far too many pages to unrelated backstory.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Canadian historical account of a sad tragedy.

[Jason Slemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Short. Well told, but not all that surprising in some ways....

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw their graves in Ft. McPherson, NWT