Heart of the Hero: The Remarkable Women Who Inspired the Great Polar Explorers

by Kari Herbert (Contributor)

Fascinating and hugely enjoyable' ?Sir Ranulph Fiennes. 'Heart of the Hero' gives a compelling insight into the lives of some of the worldOCOs most famous explorers, through the eyes of the women who inspired them to achieve great things. Author Kari Herbert explores the unpredictable, often heartbreaking stories of seven remarkable women who were indispensable companions, intrepid travellers and sometimes even the driving force behind our best-loved polar heroes, including Scott and Shackleton. Drawing on her own unique experience as the daughter of a pioneering polar explorer, and using extracts from previously unpublished historic journals and letters, Herbert blends deeply personal accounts of longing, betrayal and hope with tales of peril and adventure."

Genres: Biography, History

317 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of books about the polar explorers (still adding to my Read list!) and while there were always mentions of the wives, this is the first book I've read that is about them, and what they faced.

[Cameron Mcconnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective of the role of the wives of the Arctic and Antarctic explorers and their role in their husbands' achievements. In many cases not an easy life, but interesting.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.
My only complaint is that by telling all the stories "simultaneously" rather than one at a time, I struggled to keep track of who was who in the first half of the book.