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Mawson in Antarctica: To the Ends of the Earth
Douglas Mawson is a national hero and Antarctic explorer, famous for one of the most extraordinary feats of endurance in the history of polar exploration. His amazing story is brought vividly to life in compelling narrative non-fiction by the acclaimed author of Into the Scott's Antarctic Odyssey, Amundsen's Way and Shackleton's Endurance.
Antarctica. Winter 1912.
Hunkering down in the windiest place on earth, eighteen young Australians eagerly await a chance to prove themselves as polar explorers and scientists. The spring sledging season will bring adventure, danger, and the discovery of new lands under the command of Douglas Mawson. But tragedy also lies in wait.
Douglas Mawson's tale is legendary, an epic struggle between one man's self-belief and the worst conditions the hostile polar environment can throw at him. His journey represents not only a feat of physical endurance but also a triumph of the human spirit's ability to conjure hope when luck has all but run out.
Praise for previous books in this polar adventure
'An incredible true story, brought to life in highly readable style.' Michael Smith, author of Shackleton – By Endurance we Conquer.
'Into the Scott's Antarctic Odyssey. 'For thrill-seeking middle school students who love nonfiction adventure stories...the adventures of Scott and his crew don't disappoint.' – School Library Journal
'Joanna Grochowicz's narrative non-fiction brings to life characters and events without skimping on historical fact. From the outset, it is apparent that Grochowicz has hit her stride as a writer. The characters feel fully developed and the pacing is slick, while the delivery is consistently on the mark for an intermediate-level reader.' – New Zealand Review of Books
'Amundsen's Way is a thoroughly enjoyable and readable story about some very brave people coping with horrific challenges. It is ideal for making young readers aware of the pleasures of long-form non-fiction books.' – Magpies
'Shackleton's 'The engaging and dynamic writing will hook even readers who typically do not gravitate toward nonfiction.' – Kirkus reviews
Antarctica. Winter 1912.
Hunkering down in the windiest place on earth, eighteen young Australians eagerly await a chance to prove themselves as polar explorers and scientists. The spring sledging season will bring adventure, danger, and the discovery of new lands under the command of Douglas Mawson. But tragedy also lies in wait.
Douglas Mawson's tale is legendary, an epic struggle between one man's self-belief and the worst conditions the hostile polar environment can throw at him. His journey represents not only a feat of physical endurance but also a triumph of the human spirit's ability to conjure hope when luck has all but run out.
Praise for previous books in this polar adventure
'An incredible true story, brought to life in highly readable style.' Michael Smith, author of Shackleton – By Endurance we Conquer.
'Into the Scott's Antarctic Odyssey. 'For thrill-seeking middle school students who love nonfiction adventure stories...the adventures of Scott and his crew don't disappoint.' – School Library Journal
'Joanna Grochowicz's narrative non-fiction brings to life characters and events without skimping on historical fact. From the outset, it is apparent that Grochowicz has hit her stride as a writer. The characters feel fully developed and the pacing is slick, while the delivery is consistently on the mark for an intermediate-level reader.' – New Zealand Review of Books
'Amundsen's Way is a thoroughly enjoyable and readable story about some very brave people coping with horrific challenges. It is ideal for making young readers aware of the pleasures of long-form non-fiction books.' – Magpies
'Shackleton's 'The engaging and dynamic writing will hook even readers who typically do not gravitate toward nonfiction.' – Kirkus reviews
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
4 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 15, 2024
I've always been fascinated by the great explorers. Men and women who brave deadly conditions to advance our understanding of the world we live in.
Joanna Grochowicz has written a gripping rendition of Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition which ran from 1911 - 1914. Their main goal was to chart a section of the coast.
I liked the addition, in the front of the book, of a list of the men who were part of the expedition and the job each man was assigned to although, once there, it was soon clear that everyone had to pitch in wherever.
The unforgiving landscape and the men's battle with exhaustion, hunger and frostbite is all vividly described and as I read I was never in doubt of how bitterly cold it was and how dangerous a sudden change in the weather could be.
In Mawson in Antarctica Grochowicz uses the notes and diaries kept by the explorers, plus extensive research, to recreate the ambience and conversations between the men to write a highly engaging story about ordinary men who rose to extraordinary heights of courage and endurance.
Perfectly written for the intended age group of 10 - 14 years. I love that children are not only getting a totally immersive and gripping read but they are also learning an important part of Australian history and I hope, like me, it encourages readers to search for more information on Mawson and his team of adventurers.
Includes insert pages of photographs taken during the expedition.
Publisher recommended age: 10 -14 years
My age recommendation 12+ years
CONTENT: The men are reduced to eating the dogs to stay alive.
Joanna Grochowicz has written a gripping rendition of Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition which ran from 1911 - 1914. Their main goal was to chart a section of the coast.
I liked the addition, in the front of the book, of a list of the men who were part of the expedition and the job each man was assigned to although, once there, it was soon clear that everyone had to pitch in wherever.
The unforgiving landscape and the men's battle with exhaustion, hunger and frostbite is all vividly described and as I read I was never in doubt of how bitterly cold it was and how dangerous a sudden change in the weather could be.
In Mawson in Antarctica Grochowicz uses the notes and diaries kept by the explorers, plus extensive research, to recreate the ambience and conversations between the men to write a highly engaging story about ordinary men who rose to extraordinary heights of courage and endurance.
Perfectly written for the intended age group of 10 - 14 years. I love that children are not only getting a totally immersive and gripping read but they are also learning an important part of Australian history and I hope, like me, it encourages readers to search for more information on Mawson and his team of adventurers.
Includes insert pages of photographs taken during the expedition.
Publisher recommended age: 10 -14 years
My age recommendation 12+ years
CONTENT: The men are reduced to eating the dogs to stay alive.
July 5, 2024
Mawson in Antarctica: To the Ends of the Earth
Written by Joanna Grochowicz
I had previously read 'Shackleton's' and I found it one of the most interesting books I’d ever read, so when I found this book it jumped to the top of my reading pile.
I knew nothing about Douglas Mawson before I read the book so I did a little research on him and I found him extremely interesting.
And after a bit of research I couldn’t wait to start reading.
Antarctica. Winter 1912.
Hunkering down in the windiest place on earth, eighteen young Australians eagerly await a chance to prove themselves as polar explorers and scientists. The spring sledging season will bring adventure, danger, and the discovery of new lands under the command of Douglas Mawson. But tragedy also lies in wait.
Douglas Mawson's tale is legendary, an epic struggle between one man's self-belief and the worst conditions the hostile polar environment can throw at him. His journey represents not only a feat of physical endurance but also a triumph of the human spirit's ability to conjure hope when luck has all but run out.
As I read this book it became better and better and the adventure had me on the edge of my seat. I could feel the cold, I could feel the frostbitten fingers, the feeling of being scared while out in the snow. I felt the grief when 2 of the explorers died. I was with them for the whole journey. As the reader you are made to feel part of everything happening and you become part of the team. You know the outcome but you still find yourself worrying about the characters. As with previous books by the author there are some real photos included in the book.
This is a gripping real life tale, the author has added scenes and conversations but all the major events definitely happened.
I hope that there is more to come for these books.
Written by Joanna Grochowicz
I had previously read 'Shackleton's' and I found it one of the most interesting books I’d ever read, so when I found this book it jumped to the top of my reading pile.
I knew nothing about Douglas Mawson before I read the book so I did a little research on him and I found him extremely interesting.
And after a bit of research I couldn’t wait to start reading.
Antarctica. Winter 1912.
Hunkering down in the windiest place on earth, eighteen young Australians eagerly await a chance to prove themselves as polar explorers and scientists. The spring sledging season will bring adventure, danger, and the discovery of new lands under the command of Douglas Mawson. But tragedy also lies in wait.
Douglas Mawson's tale is legendary, an epic struggle between one man's self-belief and the worst conditions the hostile polar environment can throw at him. His journey represents not only a feat of physical endurance but also a triumph of the human spirit's ability to conjure hope when luck has all but run out.
As I read this book it became better and better and the adventure had me on the edge of my seat. I could feel the cold, I could feel the frostbitten fingers, the feeling of being scared while out in the snow. I felt the grief when 2 of the explorers died. I was with them for the whole journey. As the reader you are made to feel part of everything happening and you become part of the team. You know the outcome but you still find yourself worrying about the characters. As with previous books by the author there are some real photos included in the book.
This is a gripping real life tale, the author has added scenes and conversations but all the major events definitely happened.
I hope that there is more to come for these books.
July 22, 2024
This book took my quite by surprise as I have never really been interested in this period in history.
However, it was so well written that I felt like I was watching a movie the entire time I was reading. Surely the sign of a great read!
Based on diaries written at the time, Joanna Grochowicz tells the frankly inconceivable story of the Antarctic expedition led by Australian Douglas Mawson in 1912.
The conditions were horrendous, but the men had a job to do. Once they had built their hut and got themselves settled (which took months), the men then set off in groups to explore different parts of the Antarctic. The writing really places the reader right in the action - you can feel the cold and hear the howling, relentless wind; you can taste the slop which they eat; you can't quite believe that anyone put themselves in this position. The decisions they have to make in order to survive are absolutely unimaginable and you can only but marvel at the strength of character that these men had.
This is one of four books by Grochowicz and I look forward to reading the others and being blown away again!
However, it was so well written that I felt like I was watching a movie the entire time I was reading. Surely the sign of a great read!
Based on diaries written at the time, Joanna Grochowicz tells the frankly inconceivable story of the Antarctic expedition led by Australian Douglas Mawson in 1912.
The conditions were horrendous, but the men had a job to do. Once they had built their hut and got themselves settled (which took months), the men then set off in groups to explore different parts of the Antarctic. The writing really places the reader right in the action - you can feel the cold and hear the howling, relentless wind; you can taste the slop which they eat; you can't quite believe that anyone put themselves in this position. The decisions they have to make in order to survive are absolutely unimaginable and you can only but marvel at the strength of character that these men had.
This is one of four books by Grochowicz and I look forward to reading the others and being blown away again!
September 6, 2024
Very easy to read and clearly well researched. I think it is great to have this lighter material available where most of the other writings on the subject are quite dry and factual, or otherwise of the time.
There were a few slight errors (I could stand corrected) and other instances where an (amusing) anecdote was set up but never came to pass, which I found odd but hey, it's not my writing now is it? A bit Madigan heavy (but yet again, what can you do). I know it's aimed at younger audiences but I still would've liked a reference list (I am nitpicking at this point).
Overall a very good summary of the AAE put in an easy to read and understandable way, particularly for younger audiences. Read it in a day. I also really liked the doodles. In addition to little sketches and artistic renderings of photographs, I appreciated a selection of the original photos being included as well.
There were a few slight errors (I could stand corrected) and other instances where an (amusing) anecdote was set up but never came to pass, which I found odd but hey, it's not my writing now is it? A bit Madigan heavy (but yet again, what can you do). I know it's aimed at younger audiences but I still would've liked a reference list (I am nitpicking at this point).
Overall a very good summary of the AAE put in an easy to read and understandable way, particularly for younger audiences. Read it in a day. I also really liked the doodles. In addition to little sketches and artistic renderings of photographs, I appreciated a selection of the original photos being included as well.
December 9, 2025
Fast-paced, impressive attention to detail and page-turning suspense. Been putting off reading these historical stories for a while as I was worried I would be unimpressed due to their mainstream popularity, and that I already ‘knew the story’. This was a remarkably concise and entertaining account of the incredible Australasian Antarctic expedition that encapsulated the spirit (and disdain!) of all men involved. Can’t wait to read her accounts of the other famed polar explorers to brush up on my polar history.
December 3, 2024
This is YA fiction, but enjoyable for anyone. Grochowicz brings the history of Mawson's Antarctic expedition alive, her characters seem real and rounded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2025
This was a fascinating read! Really enjoyed it. What a devastating yet beautiful place! Gruesome at times but also inspiring.
February 8, 2025
4.5 stars
A well-written and obviously meticulously researched account of Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's expedition to Antarctica in 1911.
Includes historical photographs, hand-drawn maps, illustrations of the characters, and a historical timeline.
Possible trigger warning: it is mentioned that the characters must shoot and eat their sledge dogs.
A well-written and obviously meticulously researched account of Australian explorer Douglas Mawson's expedition to Antarctica in 1911.
Includes historical photographs, hand-drawn maps, illustrations of the characters, and a historical timeline.
Possible trigger warning: it is mentioned that the characters must shoot and eat their sledge dogs.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews