Race for the South Pole

Race for the South Pole, while allowing the reader to savour the contrasts between the expedition diaries of Scott, Amundsen and Bjaaland, also shows Huntford in continued argument with his sources.

The Spectator

Interview with author Roland Huntford in New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21128320.200-scotts-biographer-british-polar-hero-was-incompetent.html

Extract on South Pole 1911-2011 (Norwegian Polar Institute) website. http://sorpolen2011.npolar.no/en/diary-amundsen/1911-10-19.html

Author Roland Huntford was a guest on The Today Show, discussing the Centenary of Amundsen reaching the South Pole.

Live TV interview with Roland Huntford on BBC Worldwide.

'Crucially, [Huntford] reads Norwegian, and the translations are his own. Decades of experience allow him to dilate on the idiosyncrasies of fur in the polar environment; on the workings of the anemometers and on the 'meridian sight method of finding latitude' ... This work is brilliant, and well executed.'

The Times

‘Breaks new ground by letting both men live and die side by side in their own words ... The Race for the South Pole represents Huntford's final attempt to get Scott and Amundsen's legacies restored to what he believes should be their proper balance. There is simply no more evidence left to find.'

Guardian G2

BBC History Magazine's Pick of the Month, November 2010 ‘Reading the journals of Scott and Amundsen together has the advantage of highlighting the relative pace and position of the two expeditions on a daily basis. It also draws attention to the contrasting literary styles of their authors. Of interest here are not simply the celebrated set-pieces, most notably Scott's powerful final ‘message to the public', but also more routine matters of format and function.'

BBC History Magazine

"Side by side, day by day, Huntford lets Scott and Admundsen speak for themselves, placing the original diary entries of each man on facing pages.  He includes superb original maps and photographs, and the never-before-translated diary of Admundsen's charismatic lead skier."-Longitude

'The knowledge and research of this 83-year-old author is magnetic and forces the reader to reassess one's understanding of Amundsen's organisation and the amateurish approach of Scott... This is more than just a good book - you make the journey.'

guardian.co.uk (Readers Recommendations)

‘This is a valuable book, and Huntford enriches the fascinating diary entries with his own expert analysis and insight into polar history.'

The Geographical magazine