I was already aware of Amundsen's thorough and meticulous approach to leading expeditions, so the main revelations for me from this book were the complexity of his character and the turbulent and often precarious nature of some aspects of his life.
Much emphasis is placed not just on the Norwegian's rational and diligent methods, but also on the mentality which he brought to his endeavours. In contrast with the "romanticism" of other explorers of that age, one of Amundsen's major priorities appears to have been to achieve an objective, but also to minimize the risks and dangers by leaving very little to chance.
As I worked my way through this biography, I found Amundsen and elements of his philosophy of life to be quite inspiring, especially his attitudes towards personal industry and its connections to motivation, harmony and well-being. Also, his thirst for knowledge and self-improvement serves as a great example, as a means of averting stagnation and complacency.
Although some definite strands can detected, I also found Amundsen's personality to be rather elusive and difficult to pin down. He was above all, either consciously or otherwise, modern in his outlook, pointing the way to the future in many respects. His attention to detail and willingness to embrace new ideas was combined with his gradual utilization of the media and publicity, although apparently he sometimes found the latter distasteful and wearisome.
The author's writing style I found entertaining and absorbing, if sometimes breathless. The enthusiasm for the subject is palpable, and this gives this work an edge, a zest and a vibrancy which elevate it above the ordinary.
One of the most curious facets of Amundsen's life was his perpetual financial difficulty, and it is a galling irony that he, the most competent and masterly explorer of his generation, was regularly in such dire fiscal straits, whilst others were generously bankrolled by governments and public institutions. This side of the story helps to construct the picture of a man whose life and career were not as orderly and perfect as the legend might occasionally suggest. He sometimes had to improvise in order to get the job done.
It is heartening that this book gives prominence to some of the expeditions which are perhaps less famous in the public consciousness as well as, for example, the race to the South Pole. I was particularly fascinated by the chapters which examined Amundsen's experiments with aviation, and his sojourn in Siberia.
I think that Bown presents a balanced and plausible portrayal of a complex and remarkable person. What emerged for me most of all were Amundsen's restless energy and his constant quest to cover new ground and surmount fresh challenges.
The author's writing style I found entertaining and absorbing, if sometimes breathless. The enthusiasm for the subject is palpable, and this gives this work an edge, a zest and a vibrancy which elevate it above the ordinary.
One of the most curious facets of Amundsen's life was his perpetual financial difficulty, and it is a galling irony that he, the most competent and masterly explorer of his generation, was regularly in such dire fiscal straits, whilst others were generously bankrolled by governments and public institutions. This side of the story helps to construct the picture of a man whose life and career were not as orderly and perfect as the legend might occasionally suggest. He sometimes had to improvise in order to get the job done.
It is heartening that this book gives prominence to some of the expeditions which are perhaps less famous in the public consciousness as well as, for example, the race to the South Pole. I was particularly fascinated by the chapters which examined Amundsen's experiments with aviation, and his sojourn in Siberia.
I think that Bown presents a balanced and plausible portrayal of a complex and remarkable person. What emerged for me most of all were Amundsen's restless energy and his constant quest to cover new ground and surmount fresh challenges.
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