Polar Explorers discussion

I've started, but my progress is going to probably be a bit slow.

My initial comment/observation on the book: those poor animals!

I've read this one already and absolutely loved it. I'm giving it another read so I can keep up with all of you.

I had to order the book but it should be in in a few days.

Quirkyreader wrote: "This was an excellent read. I actually first heard about Mawson on an episode of New Tricks. If memory serves one of the characters was looking for his book about Mawson, because something in it..."

Are you talking about Herbert Dyce Murphy? I have a book about him called Lady Spy, Gentleman Explorer: The life of Herbert Dyce Murphy, the most extraordinary Australian you've never heard of.

Randolph wrote: "What is "New Tricks?" I assume it is a TV program. I've never heard of it. Clue me in."

It's a British show where the cold-case squad is a group of retired veteran policemen led by a younger active-duty cop. Hulu has it.

Quirkyreader wrote: "New Tricks is a police procedural show from the BBC. Alas, it is on its final season. It is about a group of retired Met officers who are asked to come out of retirement and solve cold cases. Man..."

It's not as good now as it used to be.

Quirkyreader wrote: "And yes Nancy, that is who I was referring to. Thank you."

You're welcome.

Randolph wrote: "I think this book might be better than "Mawson's Will" which is considered to be the classic about Mawson's adventure. It is almost as suspenseful but with a lot more detail."

The thing about this book is that while the focus is most appropriately on what happens with Mawson out on the ice, the author doesn't fail to note the drama slowly building at the base camp. To me, that was just as creepy.

Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the difficulty in trying to tell the story of the A.A.E. in a linear narrative and I admit to having a hard time keeping track of the men and the different mini expeditions.

**Spoilers**
Once the story shifted to Mawson and Mertz, I was hooked. I wonder why there was so little information about Ninnis? All I got was, he fell into a crevasse and disappeared. And that was right at the beginning. It lessened the impact of his death when the Far Eastern Party story was told.

Mertz, on the other hand, I felt I knew. His death was really sad. Brutal, in fact.

Mawson's fight to make it back to the hut is indeed the most amazing survival tale I've ever heard.Reading about the soles of his feet, UGH! I was eating at the time and couldn't finish my omelet. How on earth did he continue walking? Also gut-wrenching was his struggle to get out of the crevasse(twice!) I cheered when he found the food cache and made it to the ice cave, and almost cried when he made it to the hut. This should be a movie.

My favourite part takes place after Mawson's return. The drama among the men left behind. I also loved Davis, the captain of the Aurora. Jeffery's, the radio operator, and his break with reality made for excellent reading.

Great book!

Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the difficulty in trying to tell the story of the A.A.E. in a li..."

I loved Jefferys' story -- oh my god. (view spoiler)[Cracking up when they really needed him the most. (hide spoiler)]

Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the difficulty in trying to tell the story of th..."

I can't imagine how frustrating that must have been! And scary! It made me think of how we take our ability to communicate, with anyone, anywhere for granted.

Also, the guy who wanted to 're-create' Mawson's hike. But with a film crew(and feet). I thought about the fact that you can take a Northwest Passage luxury cruise now. They kind of seem like a kick in the teeth.

Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the difficulty in trying to tell t..."

I know (re the cruise) but I really want to do it. That and you can also do Antarctica cruises, which I also want to do.

Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the difficulty in ..."

Ha! I would go to Antarctica too! :)

Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the ..."

Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The author notes the ..."

Count me in on that trip, Kirstin and Nancy :) !

Janie wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-fiction. The a..."

I need a coat. I live in FL and only have a leather jacket for the rare occasions it gets cold.

Nancy wrote: "Janie wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-..."

My advice - buy two of everything. It can get pretty cold here in Delaware in the winter, and we keep our house temp. at around 62. I've learned to layer. Hmmm. I may actually need three of everything in Antarctica!

Nancy wrote: "Janie wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Wow. It took me a while to get into the story...about 200 pages. It's been a while since I've read any non-..."

Yeah, I don't think that would cut it Nancy! Lol

I've been in -57c and I have a parka that's like wearing a sleeping bag and the temperature is still unbearable!

Randolph wrote: "The dude who "recreated" Mawson's nightmare didn't recreate it at all. Think about it: he had a camera crew there all the time and although he limited his food intake, he avoided some of the malnu..."

Agreed.

Here's a clip of Mertz and Ninnis setting up camp.

http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentarie...

Quirkyreader wrote: "I know what it's like to wear plenty of layers and be cold. I grew up in Michigan where nine months out of the year are winter. On a good day one only need to wear two pairs of socks, long underw..."

Wow! And here I am complaining about it being 62 degrees in the house during winter. I'm such a wimp!

Quirkyreader wrote: "But most of all, think of Randy from "The Christmas Story" in Indiana. That is kind of like what a good day in Michigan is."

Yep, I get it. But now that you brought up "The Christmas Story," I am going to digress even further: I used to listen to the Jean Shepherd Show on the radio at night when I was a kid. Now I'm off down memory lane...

Randolph wrote: "Kirstin wrote: "Here's a clip of Mertz and Ninnis setting up camp.

http://aso.gov.au/titles/documentarie..."

This was a remarkable find. Thanks."


I can't believe Mawson's story isn't a movie. So I searched for it. This is what came up. I would love to see the whole doc.