The Last Viking-The Life of Roald Amundsen-Conqueror of the South Pole-Stephen Bown

I find that reading about exploration is a very good way of restoring some perspective, whilst at the same time allowing a little escapism. Stephen Bown's biography of the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen is both highly readable and illuminating.

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.

Into The Silence - The Great War, Mallory and The Conquest of Everest - Wade Davis

Into The Silence, by Wade Davis, chronicles and examines the British expeditions to Mount Everest in the period 1921-1924, paying special attention to George Mallory, and to the experiences of various expedition participants in the First World War, and the degree to which these experiences affected how the endeavours in the mountains were approached.

What could have been another book about mountaineering is given a different, and absorbing, dimension. The portraits of the various members of the expeditions are fascinating, and I gained the impression of a Britain in a state of flux, modernity encroaching on traditional values and methods, and people confused and disorientated in the wake of the 1914-1918 conflict. The author does not flinch in his descriptions of the horrors of the trenches, and in his observations about the folly of the war.

Another strand which I discerned from the early chapters was the ambiguity in the outlook of many of these men, even those with a seemingly enlightened and liberal view of the world. It is a candid window on some prevailing attitudes, often expressed in diaries and letters. Paternalism, at the very least, was still very much alive, if this is any guide. The frank and honest nature of the portrayals is one of the things which I found so engrossing about the book. It is safe to say that the human race has progressed in many ways since the early 20th century.

Another part of the appeal of Into The Silence is the diversity of the characters, and the way that attempts were made (or not as the case may be) to mould these people into effective and harmonious teams. It is probably true to say that an environment as extreme and arduous as Mount Everest lays bare individuals' foibles, frailties and idiosyncrasies. Some flourish and rise to the occasion, whilst others are defeated and ground down by the ordeal. Davis manages to evoke these phenomena very capably.

I was gripped by the detailing of George Mallory's early life, before the outbreak of the First World War. I had not realized the extent to which he had associated with some of the leading artistic and intellectual figures of his day.

Clearly, wartime travails had affected people in subtly different ways. All had their own tale to tell, or not to tell. Part of the charm is in sensing how the personnel, and the wider public, interpreted their efforts in the Himalayas, and whether to them it represented redemption, escape, idealism or else something different.

There is always a danger that the constant referring back to, and parallels with, the Great War, could become trite after a while. However, Davis handles matters with some sensitivity and finesse, making the assertions and allusions seem plausible and credible. The meanings, where they exist, occasionally emerge as quite nuanced, sometimes even nebulous.

I did rather feel that the chapters dealing with the 1921 expedition, given over primarily to reconnaissance and surveying, were padded and excessively long. It could perhaps have been condensed. The casual observer might also consider that, by comparison, the legendary 1924 trip is documented with relative brevity. Then again, this is no ordinary book.

The quotes from letters and diaries lend a real intimacy and authenticity to the story. As so often, these snippets reveal some innermost sentiments, and occasionally some unpalatable truths. The personality clashes, behind-the-scenes intrigues and animosities, and the vagaries of the selection processes, are in their ways just as interesting as the tales of heroism and stoicism at altitude.

Above everything looms the enigmatic figure of Mallory. Some of his outpourings during the three trips do not square with his supposed inclinations and sympathies. "Mercurial" might be a good way to describe him. A complex individual, and one has to admire his single-mindedness and drive, tinged as they appear to have been with insecurity.

I think that the author builds the tension excellently, as the stakes rise during the 1922 and 1924 expeditions, and the moments of truth approach. The descriptions of the courage and resourcefulness of the climbers, and the sufferings which they endured, are very well executed. One almost felt like one was there in a tent with Mallory, Irvine or Norton, haunted by gale-force winds and plagued by exhaustion and pain.

A riveting read, then, and one marvels at what these people achieved, with such primitive equipment and communications.

Endurance:Shackleton's Incredible Voyage - Alfred Lansing

Like many a schoolboy of my generation,and those which preceded it, I was brought up on the exploits of Robert Falcon Scott, and I avidly devoured the story of his doomed Antarctic expedition.  However, the achievements of Ernest Shackleton barely crossed my radar screen during those years. It is only in very recent times that I have investigated the Shackleton story, and it has been eye-opening and inspirational to say the least. However, I was on the lookout for an unvarnished account of Shackleton's 1914-1916 Trans-Antarctic Expedition, unsullied by the often cynical and agenda-driven approach of modern times. I found what I was looking for in Alfred Lansing's 1959 work, Endurance:Shackleton's Incredible Voyage.

To summarize, the expedition's aim was to undertake a land crossing of the Antarctic continent, but these plans were abandoned when the ship, Endurance, fell victim to the ravages of pack ice. From then on, it was a question of survival for the party.  Drifting on the ice for months, then an agonizing boat journey, which made landfall on Elephant Island. Six men then travelled approximately 800 miles by boat to South Georgia, and after three of them crossed glaciers and mountain peaks, reaching a whaling station, the remainder of the men were rescued. These mere facts, however, do scant justice to the sheer magnitude of what occurred.

I found that Lansing's book is written in quite a spare, economical measured manner. The story is remarkable enough, and speaks for itself, therefore requiring no embellishment. The author's own words are augmented by quotes from the diaries of the participants, and extensive research and interviews. Whilst there is no hyperbole here, it is also far from a sanitized version of events.

The book format permits a detailed and rounded assessment of Shackleton's personality and leadership style. This is no airbrushed portrayal, either, emphasizing his foibles and contradictions. His methods encompassed decisiveness, finesse, ruthlessness, attention to detail, pragmatism and expediency. Above all he was focusing on the over-riding objective; initially, the missions objectives, and subsequently the need to save the lives of the Endurance party.

Throughout the story, we are shown Shackleton's man-management techniques, and how he employed psychology to extract the best from the men under his command. Examples of this were the arrangements for who would sleep in which tent, and the chosen composition of teams for important enterprises. He was constantly having to juggle the management of expectations, in order to avert any drastic reduction in morale, whilst at the same time seeking to appear credible and humane.

It is notable that Lansing does not fall into the trap of attributing every success or positive development to the genius or foresight of Shackleton. He highlights the role of the chief's many capable subordinates, who were able to bring their qualities and skills to bear in a time of great trauma.  It is also discernible that bouts of optimism or buoyancy were not solely induced by Shackleton's leadership prowess, but emerged via perfectly rational and reasonable appraisals by individuals of the prospects for success.

It is also true that humans are innately resilient and versatile, and that these virtues are deployed when we are faced with the prospect of doom. An instinct for self-preservation and survival?  So when assessing what happened, we perhaps need to look further afield than romantic cliches. An extension of this theory is the capacity for people to adapt in their social relations, in terms of mixing and learning to co-operate with people from different backgrounds or philosophies.

At various stages there are reflections on the characteristics and idiosyncrasies of the various expedition members, and as the drama progresses, we see how these facets manifested themselves as the going got tough, and how Shackleton and the other personnel handled any friction or discord which developed. Although there were occasional squabbles and disputes, in the circumstances the men showed staggering tolerance and stoicism.  Even those who became disgruntled returned to "the fold", although again this might have been the imperative of self-preservation calling.  It is touching nevertheless to see how the comradeship and solidarity was maintained in the face of adversity.

One of the striking features for me was how Shackleton retained his coolness and presence of mind, when confronted with such onerous responsibilities, workloads and privations.  He was ceaselessly having to improvise and react to the evolving situation, keeping track of and balancing a plethora of variables and imponderables. It is easy to see why Shackleton's methods are often cited during modern courses on leadership and management.

Shackleton truly stepped up to the plate following the loss of the Endurance, providing inspiration, direction, encouragement and drive.It would be inaccurate to state that the story moves up a gear at this point.  Rather, it simply becomes more humbling and harrowing. The quotations from diaries reflect the constantly fluctuating moods and sentiments of the men, as hopes were regularly raised and then dashed. The primacy of food and warmth became a ubiquitous subject, as they sought short-term solace to get them through each day or part-day.

The account of the boat trip to Elephant Island is superb and uncompromising.  The desperation and suffering are palpable, and the awesome power of Mother Nature is amply depicted. We get a graphic idea of what the men were going through, and Lansing lingers on these days to great effect, in order to evoke the sense of terror and despair, but also the resourcefulness of the boat crews in coping with their plight.  It seems amazing that the men retained some semblance of composure and awareness during this ordeal.

Similar emotions are engendered by the chapters pertaining to the epic mission to reach South Georgia.  The numerous false dawns, the necessity to make instant, potentially fateful judgements and decisions, are all laid bare. The text really helps to illustrate the colossal obstacles, the almost insurmountable odds, and the sheer physical distances and dimensions involved in the rescue and survival efforts.

Even a superficial knowledge of this subject is sufficient to inspire wonder and admiration, but Lansing's rendering of it helps to bring it to life, whilst maintaining an essential realism and balance.  Attention is given to some of the less heralded episodes, characters and elements which characterized the endeavour.

If ever I feel jaded or despondent about life or people, the Shackleton Expedition is one of the things which I turn to, to gain some perspective and some inspiration.  I would recommend it in these terms to anyone.  I know that it sounds trite, but this was a triumph of the human spirit.  Prepare to shed the odd tear when learning about the full momentous story for the first time....

Captain Scott - Ranulph Fiennes

In June 2012 I wrote a blog post about Robert Falcon Scott....Scott Of The Antarctic

Just recently I read Ranulph Fiennes' book about Scott, which addresses the explorer's legacy, considers the criticism from Scott's detractors, examining in detail the circumstances and outcome of his two expeditions to the Antarctic.

The book doesn't simply set out to redress the balance for its own sake, but to lucidly appraise Scott's exploits, taking account of the conventions and attitudes of the times in which they took place, and of course drawing on the author's own extensive experience of polar exploration and endurance.The informative and compact preamble is also valuable by way of setting historical context.

The enquiries are admirably dispassionate and unsentimental, dealing in facts, science and reason, and eschewing fabrication and spurious and skewed interpretation. Misconceptions are corrected utilizing hard evidence. Some reservations which the author considers valid are not obscured, but Fiennes courageously and eloquently takes to task some of the more dubious vilification which Scott has received in recent decades.

The chapters documenting the Terra Nova mission in particular are extremely absorbing and detailed, but the sections dealing with Scott's legacy and modern-day reputation are the most cogent and enlightening. The author dissects some of the "debunking" efforts of recent times.  Strident but measured, and a worthy addition to the library on this topic....

Scott of the Antarctic

Like many British children of my generation, I was brought up on the exploits of those men who we were informed were our national heroes.

One individual who fascinated me during my childhood was Captain Robert Falcon Scott, and I remember reading much about his ultimately tragic expedition to the South Pole in 1910-12.  Of course, when we are young we are not fully capable of critical analysis of such things, and tend to accept the "official" version, or the myths and legends expounded by our elders and betters.

Only recently, after studying more material about the ill-fated expedition, did I grasp the sheer dimensions of what those pioneer explorers attempted and achieved, and the human qualities which they exhibited whilst doing so.

What has really been brought home to me is the geographical magnitude of these endeavours, which were of course undertaken with what by 21st century standards was negligible and primitive technology and equipment.  The sacrifices made, and fortitude shown, by the men on Scott's expedition, and other adventures of the same period, are quite humbling to me, and have helped to place some of my mundane everyday concerns into greater perspective.....

Of course, there has been criticism of Scott from some quarters, with accusations of incompetent planning and decision-making.  Be that as it may, for me it does not really detract from the old-fashioned nobility and honour which was displayed, especially in adversity.

Some of the literature which I was exposed to as a child seemed in retrospect to direct mild "hostility" towards Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer who "beat" Scott's team in the race to the Pole.  I can see now that this was an absurd stance to adopt. Although Scott and his men will have been disappointed to "lose" the race, it does not unduly affect my appraisal of events. Amundsen seems to have achieved his triumph via a combination of sound judgement, audacity and also some good fortune.

These days, the nationalities of the protagonists is pretty much immaterial to me, anyway, and the achievements, and attributes, of the people involved is an often inspiring example of the capabilities and potential of the human race in general.  A study of man's curiosity, endurance, courage and wanderlust.

One of the fascinating aspects of the expeditions in the early 20th century is that they represented the last embers of an entire age, before the relentless march of mechanisation and technology.  This is in no way to demean the achievements of those who followed, by the way, and the phrases "romantic age" and "heroic era" are a touch trite.  More than their successors, though, Amundsen, Scott, Shackleton et al, were operating without a net.

The most heart-rending parts of the Scott story are of course the events which occurred on the return journey from the Pole. The stoicism of the party, the self-sacrifice of Lawrence Oates and the apparent dignity with which the remaining men confronted their fate. Revisiting these elements of the story certainly brought a tear to my eye.....