e-Book The Worst Journey In The World: Antarctic 1910 13 download

This book was surely written by a beautiful person. At the time of the second Scott expedition to Antarctica, this person was young, loyal, hard working, sensitive to beauty, attentive to the best in every person, courageous, and very near-sighted..

The loveliness of this man makes me angry at Scott and his right-hand men (like the scientist Wilson). I can't help but feel that there was something seriously wrong about the Scott expedition. The author at maybse 25 - 27 years accompanied Wilson and Bowers, another right-hand man, on the "worst journey" of the book's title. This was a six week trek over ice in the middle of winter in the total darkness with temperatures that descended to -73 degrees F. in order to --- collect the eggs of Emperor Penguin's. During the journey, the author could not wear his eyeglasses. He starved. With the two others, he had to despair. The nerves of his teeth were killed by the frost. At one point, Wilson told him, "You simply must learn to use an ice ax". Plainly our author may not have been trained or able to see. Yet, throughout the author looks up to Wilson, whereas it seems to me that Wilson was a somewhat crazed and obssessed man without a true regard for his fellows.

An expedition that would have sent three men into the unknown in the most frightful season in the most frightful unknown place was stupid and cruel. No concepts of duty or advancement of science can excuse the entire incompetence and carelessness. I suppose the expedition was systematized only by a sense of honor and manliness.

There was something wrong about the Scott expedition. From this book, it struck me as old-fashioned or rigid in values, too loose in organization, too diffuse in its goals, too classist. As to the latter two, the author tells us that the expedition was primarily scientific. If so, the journey to the Pole was not necessary as science could have been satisfied by a concentration of resources that the Polar journey diluted. Additionally, the author here would perhaps not have had to take the worst journey and another group of researchers would not have been stranded for a whole winter (!) on their own while Scott went to the Pole. As to may remark about classism, I am struck with the disregard, almost contempt, in which the ordinary seaman Edgar Evans is discussed or ignored, and the honor heaped on Oates of the cavalry or dragoons ---- as if both men as they died had not given their total "vitality", as the author might say, to the Polar journey.

I will read more about the author. I understand that a biography of him has recently been published (?). I would like to know what happened to him as I sense that he essentially knew that he was in the hands of the unorganized, to say the least, and the obssessive, to say the most.

Reading this very long, two volume book was an experience unlike any other. I had to read it in somewhat short bursts because the fear of what awful thing could possibly happen next to: the ponies, the dogs and the men, was unbearably painful. This story is told in multiple points of view, all eyewitness, from notes, letters and diaries. Cherry-Garrard did a masterful, empathetic, professional and heartfelt job of compiling and weaving together his experiences with those of his companions. These men were giants of bravery, fortitude, intelligence, comradship, cooperation, planning and the ability to push beyond all physical and emotional boundaries -- in constant darkness, ferocious blizzards, low low temperatures, exhaustion, fear, grief, and more. It is the detailed story of Scott's three year and final unto death journey of scientific discovery and ultimately reaching the south pole (unfortunately, Amundsun got there first). They don't make men like this anymore. It would be worth reading accounts of all the participants, as each had specialties, and unique personal character traits that meshed into a perfect working system that seemed to bring out the best in all. The story of the author's trek to collect penguin embryoes in the worst conditions imaginable can't be bettered and all to have the scientific community in Britain act like the specimens were virtually boring souvenirs. These men almost died many times obtaining the eggs and getting them back to the main hut. Another heart in mouth moment was rescuing the ponies drifting off on an iceflow that had broken away and being circled by hungry killer whales. Sad as I felt for the sufferings of the men, it was even worse reading about the plucky ponies who shouldn't have been in that extreme environment in the first place. Poor things. This book is a must read for anyone interested in knowing about a life(ves) well lived! Also it is a peaen to the beauty of this vast continent. You don't normally think of explorers as poetic souls but often the only book brought along on a sledge haul was one of poetry. Some of the atmospheric effects described with phantom suns and brilliant colors make me want to visit, something I would never have been interested in before. There are also lovely descriptions of seal and penguin personalities and antics. This book puts you through the whole emotional gamut -- better than any novel.

Outstanding! This is so good; I bought the book as well as the kindle version. An intriguing report of exploration. The journey to bring back the Emperor Penguin eggs was extraordinary. I learned a lot and also did some further reading.

There is still more to the story that Cherry-Garrard did not include, (i.e., the plan for the British explorers to meet a German explorer at the pole}. Given the time that Cherry wrote the book, just after serving in the War, it is understandable that the German explorer was not mentioned. It is also possible that Cherry was unaware of the coordination intended with the German team since it did not really concern him. Cherry described his role as, "adaptable helper" with little formal responsibility. The incredible effort of the team is especially moving written from this point of view.
Cherry-Garrard did the world a great service by writing this book, I think. There is a lot of wisdom in his writing.

Garrie

Only read this book after reading an article in Smithsonian Magazine. It struck my curiosity regarding article expeditions. Wow, what man will do for science or fame? But, mostly I was touched by the care and concern each team mate provided each other. Also, as an animal lover I was struck by the care given the ponies, mules and dogs. These men were extraordinary individuals who can be compared to current and past astronauts.