After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice

by Erling Kagge

The Norwegian explorer, philosopher and acclaimed writer chronicles his historic 58-day journey to the North Pole on skis in this gripping and thought-provoking memoir that is also a profound meditation about nature and our place within it. 

The North Pole looms large in our collective psyche—the ultimate Otherland in a world mapped and traversed. It is the center of our planet’s rotation, one of the places that is most vulnerable in an epoch of global climate change. Its sub-zero temperatures and strange year of one sunset and one sunrise make it an eerie, utterly disorienting place that challenges human endurance and understanding.

Erling Kagge and his friend Børge Ousland became the first people “to ever reach the pole without dogs, without depots and without motorized aids,” skiing for 58 days from a drop off point on the ice edge of Canada’s northernmost island.

In magisterial prose, Erling narrates his epic, record-making journey, probing the physical challenges and psychological motivations for embarking on such an epic expedition, the history of the territory’s exploration, its place in legend and art, and the thrilling adventures he experienced during the trek. It is another example of what bestselling author Robert MacFarlane has called “Kagge’s extraordinary life in wild places,”

Erling offers surprises on every page while observing the key role that this place holds in our current climate and geopolitical conversations. As majestic, mesmerizing, and monumental as the terrain it captures, The North Pole is for anyone who has gazed out at the horizon—and wondered what happens if you keep going.

The North Pole is illustrated with 12-14 photographs.

Translated from the Norwegian by Kari Dickson.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Travel, Memoir, Science, Adventure

368 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2025

About the author

Erling Kagge is a Norwegian explorer, lawyer, art collector, entrepreneur, politician, author and publisher.

Reviews

[Dax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kagge is a guy I would like to get to know. He is informed, humble, and adventurous. And he's a writer. I very much like his writing and his philosophical bent. This book is not quite what I was expecting, as much of it focuses on previous attempts to reach the North Pole. I thought we would spend more time on Kagge's 1990 expedition, but we only get snippets of that. As someone who has read a lot of history on polar exploration, I would have preferred the latter. It is still a very good book and one that I would recommend to people who have not read a lot about Arctic exploration. Solid three stars.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book ended up being so much more than I initially expected it to be. It was about the author's journey and experience of going to the North Pole, yes, but it was a profound history of those who have attempted to reach the North Pole.

I found it both educational and fascinating. It captured so much, including some of the more stark realities of what will happen when the ice melts away.

I am so grateful they translated this book into English so I could enjoy it.

[Wendelle]

Shares a lot about the history of polar exploration, then also only a little bit about his own expedition. I had hoped that second part would compose a longer section of the book

[Ula Tardigrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Adventure is all about deliberately making life more difficult than it needs to be, and having far less control over yourself and your surroundings”.

Despite the title, this is not a typical adventure book focused on the narrator's exploits. Written a few decades after the heroic journey to the North Pole, it is more a meditation on the human urge to explore and the fascination with polar regions, from ancient times to the present. It is beautiful, lyrical, and informative. The author touches on many topics, from cartography to literature to biographies of many explorers, but the part I loved the most were the snippets that reveal why anyone would choose to travel to such hostile places.

While I can't compare my humble thru-hikes in Sweden or Scotland to Kagge's expeditions, his words rang so true to me because they perfectly capture why I choose to spend my vacations sleeping in a tent and dragging a heavy backpack, in the cold, wind and rain.

Here is another sample: „There has to be a price, some form of discomfort—the cold, wind, thirst, and steep slopes. Satisfaction comes from continuing to move laboriously forward in the right direction, no matter what. Not knowing if you will reach your goal. That is when life feels real. Time expands”.

Highly recommended to anyone who has ever felt this way, or who is hesitant to leave a warm home for the unknown. It is so worth it.

Thanks to the publisher, HarperOne, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

[Karyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a little longer than it should have to read, and I was busy reading another book at the same time. Interestingly enough, I remember very little of Kagge speaking of his own trek to the North Pole, except in little snippets interspersed among the history of man’s exploits to the top of the world.

One thing that really, really bothered me about this book was the barest mention of Peary’s belief that he had the right to have sex with the indigenous women of the Arctic. Yes, Kagge mentions this, but he ignores the fact that Peary had a sexual relationship with an Inuit girl of only 14 with whom he had at least two children.

This book is a fairly good summation of the history of people trying to achieve 90°N, from ancient ideas on what may have existed at the pole to when a group of Soviets finally stood at the Pole in 1948. Having been obsessed with sad boat for as long as I have been, very little of this was news to me, but it’s good to have it in one place. I personally didn’t need Kagge’s personal thoughts on polar exploration, nor did I enjoy the typical machismo of praising men for their strength in achieving this difficult goal as well as the idea that those of us who have not gone exploring are somehow less than.

[Brian Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

One can only stand in awe of a character like Erling Kagge: so many challenges faced, obstacles overcome. The book is a different matter. The stuff about the Imaginary North Pole (the one inhabiting myths and legends) feels like makeweight here, interleaved as it is with an account of an expedition over 30 years in the past.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devour books on exploration and the unimaginable hardships it took for these explorers to survive, or not, in such harsh and extreme environments.

[Tor Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polarhistorie, ny og gammel, slutter ikke å fascinere. Boka Kagge har skrevet tar for seg hans egne erfaringer og kjente og glemte polarekspedisjoner fra historien. Pluss en masse fabuleringer om metafysiske og geopolitiske aspekter omkring polpunktet. Pluss reindyrka sladder. Det er ikke tvil om at Kagge har grublet mye og gjort grundig research. Dessverre har han ikke evnet å høvle vekk før det ble bok av dette. Her er mye rart og uferdig. Spesielt synes jeg spekuleringene rundt gamle skrifter blir svake.
Men hovedinntrykket er at dette er et godt tema å skrive bok om. For det meste var det interessant lesing. Og nå vet jeg at russerne var de aller første som nådde Nordpolen. Kjekt å vite f.eks på en quiz. Jeg leste den norske versjonen

[Tanja Berg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slow book about how the author got to the North Pole. It’s also a history of the place, from myths to the first attempts to reach it. It’s a reflection of impermanence, both of ideas, life and ice. Slow but well worth it!

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice by Erling Kagge

In After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice, Erling Kagge, a renowned explorer, author, and philosopher, offers a thought-provoking reflection on humanity’s relationship with the polar regions, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental degradation. Blending adventure narrative with philosophical musings, Kagge takes readers on a journey that traverses both the physical and metaphysical landscapes of the North Pole, while engaging with the pressing issues surrounding our changing planet.

Content Overview
Kagge’s work is crafted as both a memoir of his polar explorations and a conceptual exploration of what the North Pole represents in contemporary culture. Following his experiences in this extreme environment, he delves into themes of survival, myth, and the profound implications of melting ice. Structured around his personal narratives and reflections, the book is interspersed with historical anecdotes and scientific insights that highlight the significance of the Arctic in global climate discussions.

The narrative opens with Kagge recounting his own expeditions to the North Pole, vividly describing the challenges faced and the beauty of the desolate landscape. However, as the title suggests, the focus quickly shifts from mere exploration to a deeper inquiry into the myths and stories we construct around such places. Kagge engages with the symbolism of the North Pole, pondering its role as a site of human aspiration and as a barometer of environmental health.

Thematic Exploration
Several key themes dominate After the North Pole:

Survival in Extreme Environments: Kagge reflects on his personal experiences with survival in harsh conditions, offering insights into human resilience and adaptability. His narratives serve as powerful reminders of the innate drive to explore and conquer the unknown, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Mythmaking and Cultural Significance: The author explores how the North Pole has been mythologized throughout history, from early explorations to modern-day representations in literature and media. He examines the stories we tell about the Arctic and how they shape our understanding of nature and our own identities.

Climate Change and Environmental Urgency: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to discussing the impact of climate change on the polar regions. Kagge emphasizes the urgency of acknowledging the realities of melting ice and the implications for global ecosystems. His reflections encourage readers to confront environmental issues rather than ignore them.

Philosophical Inquiry: Interspersed throughout the narrative are philosophical contemplations on human existence, purpose, and the relationship between humanity and nature. Kagge prompts readers to consider what it means to live in a world facing ecological crises and how our connections to remote places can influence our behaviors and beliefs.

Hope and Action: Despite the somber themes, the book ultimately carries a message of hope. Kagge calls for a collective awareness and action regarding climate change, urging readers to engage with and protect the natural world. He posits that understanding our shared humanity and the stories we create can foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

Style and Accessibility
Kagge’s writing style is both lyrical and contemplative, effectively melding narrative with philosophical discourse. His ability to evoke vivid imagery allows readers to experience the Arctic landscape firsthand, while his insights encourage deeper reflection on existential themes. This accessibility makes the book appealing not only to those interested in exploration and adventure but also to a broader audience concerned with environmental issues.

Practical Implications
After the North Pole is an essential read for scholars, students, and general readers interested in the intersections of exploration, environmental science, and cultural studies. Kagge’s blend of personal narrative and critical analysis serves as both a memoir and a call to action, offering a unique perspective on how we understand and interact with our planet. The book highlights the importance of storytelling in shaping our responses to climate change and underscores the power of individual and collective action.

Conclusion
Erling Kagge’s After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice is a profound and timely exploration of the complexities surrounding the polar regions and their significance to humanity. Through his engaging narrative and thoughtful reflections, Kagge not only captures the stark beauty of the Arctic but also invokes a sense of urgency regarding the environmental challenges we face. This book serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our stories, our actions, and the fragile world we inhabit, making it a vital contribution to contemporary discussions on exploration and climate change.

[Geve_ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty mid.
This had no real new information, it was a thin rehashing of many north pole or northwest passage expeditions. None of these were told with much depth, with most emphasis on Nansen. There was little to no analysis, and although this was sort of supposed to be some philosophizing, it did not all that much of that either, and what it did, I didn't appreciate.
I didn't find this to be particularly interesting or engrossing, and it was very eurocentric. Certainly there were a lot of europeans involved in this area of "exploration", but even in the limited analysis and explanation, the author seemed QUITE forgiving of the scandinavian explorers, and even some english explorers, while being very critical of american explorers, and not even mentioning any canadians as anything other than american. And there were some interesting lines about how diverse a european expedition was because they had italians, hungarians AND slavs, wow, while never mentioning the diversity of american expeditions (in the context of their diversity), which regularly included europeans from multiple countries as well as americans of different races and ethnicities, but I guess only europeans get credit for that. It felt very much like the author went into this with preconceieved ideas about who norwegians, english, or americans were then analyzed the different expeditions.
Even those biases aside, i didn't find this to be informative, and if this is the only book one is to read about the north pole, there isn't all that much here in information, analysis or philosophy.

this was fine.

[Brett Keeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kagge weaves the story of his ski trip to the North Pole in between different stories of previous Arctic explorers. That's not the impression that the book gives in the advertising, and the author only spends a bit of time at the end discussing how climate change will affect Arctic exploration and the world in general at the end.

That being said, the book is still enjoyable if you ignore the poor advertising. While I've read a bunch about different Arctic explorations, there were a couple here I didn't read about yet. The short reviews were a good refresher for me and for a new reader might help to get them interested in Arctic Exploration (my two favorites are the expedition of the USS Jeanette and the Belgica, which actually went to the South Pole).

The book shines the boost when Kagge relates past explorers to his ski trip to the North Pole. It's refreshing to read an explorer's thoughts on exploration from modern times - equipment he used is similar to things I use, he's not adding anything to the map, he's just doing something hard for the sake of doing something hard. Life has gotten too easy - humans are too well adapated- and the chance to do something hard just for the sake of it is more rewarding than just about anything else in the world.

[AZ BOOKS · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is often important to take something home from any journey of exploration over sea and land-a souvenir, something concrete, proof. But all there is at the North Pole is cold air, cold water, and ice. The North Pole is like an abstract painting, freed from all form. There is nothing of real substance there. And yet it is a destination, the start of many adventures and a source of myths throughout recorded human time."

"It only takes a few steps to walk around the world and cross twenty-four time zones. If you walk with the sun, in other words west, 360 degrees around the polar point, you walk into yesterday when you pass the dateline."

The temperature is rising in the Arctic at twice the speed of the global average. After 75,000 generations with an ice-covered Arctic Ocean, we may be the first generation to experience an ice-free ocean in summer.

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did I promise myself I would not read any more expedition books? Yes I did, fortunately this broken promise turned out well. Plus this is also labeled as a memoir which are mostly miss, not hit.

80% of this book was not about Kagge's North Pole expedition, it was about expeditioning in general, the pull of whatever land one falls in love with, the challenges and rewards and of course some politics. I thoroughly enjoyed most of it. Kagge's philosphising was excellent and his deep dives into past expeditions was comprehensive. I particularly liked the Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundson relationship discussion. Mentors, rivials and two fairly different personalities.

The rating of 3.75 is spot on, great book but it suffered a little bit from just listing all of the expeditions who tried to reach the North Pole.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read After the North Pole: A Story of Survival, Mythmaking, and Melting Ice by Erling Kagge. Part memoir of his journey to the North Pole unaided and on skis and also a history of polar exploration. It was a bit too long maybe but still quite fascinating. The hardships to go to a place that barely exists at all are hard to fathom. Yet the desire to explore is understandable. The melting ice in the age of climate change may mean that the era of polar exploration on foot in the North is ending. And as Margaret Atwood said, things die from the top down. So if the top of the world dies, there will be consequences.

[Julia Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written and well-researched. Learned a ton about historical polar expeditions reading this and was engrossed after about 50 pages in. This is more of a reference book of past expeditions than a personal narrative. It's also Eurocentric, though he does acknowledge that the past expeditions that succeeded were the ones that learned from and spent time with Inuits. Liked the tidbits of Inuit knowledge shared, would've liked a deeper dive.

Could've guessed the author studied philosophy before reading the back jacket.

[Jeanne Cassell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting narrative of their 58 day trek, by snow shoes, to the NorthPole-,no motor, no drops,no dogs. Just skill and determination. Interesting discussion of why anyone would want to be a polar explorer or any kind of explorer. Thoughtful history of North Pole expeditions in history and our historical quest going back to Odysseus. Is our goal to conquor or to discover our real self? Shows the dangers of climate change,and our failure to learn from native populations. Well written…a good read!! Author spoke at the SV Writers’ Conference.

[Jordan]

DNF. Got about 100 pages in and I wasn’t jiving with the mostly uncritical praise for enlightenment-era thinking about exploration and colonial conquest. The book, to that point, had managed to tell the history of human contact with the North, with barely anything other than a passing mention of Inuit people. I was down with the sections more narrowly focused on the science and astronomy of the North Pole.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and comprehensive review of the history of polar explorers, providing in depth research into the various men who tried to reach the true North Pole. I got lost in the details of these men of the past, and some of their hypotheses about what was at the North Pole. I learned a lot about the North Pole in this book, including the different North Poles. I would have just liked to read more about the author's personal experience getting there.

[Harriet Ashford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the impression that this was going to be more of Erling's journey to the North Pole, but there was actually very little of that. Instead, it was like an in-depth history of polar exploration.
It did become hard to follow at times because of all the names and sometimes read like a textbook.
That being said, I did learn a lot about polar exploration and a little about myself from this read. I tabbed a bunch of powerful quotes.

[Kat Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I appreciated how this went from the myths/legends/philosophies around the North Pole, explaining what the 4 Poles are, and then the history and interspacing with his own travel in 1990 and how he prepared. It was very insightful and I also learned that polar explorers seem to be liars. It is curious that we still don't really know who made it to the North Pole first.

[tyRonE hArDing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely interesting, very well researched, full of fact, history, science, a bit of philosophy, and arctic survival how-tos. Within the author describes his own 58 day journey to the North Pole. I found it to be a very enjoyable read about the history of explorations to the North Pole.

[Mark Harbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both an exciting description of the authors 1990 North Pole trip utilizing only human power and a general treatise on extreme adventure philosophy.

Top text sections and quotes
“Most people are satisfied too soon, and that is the reason there is so little wisdom in the world.” Fridtjof Nansen, Polar Explorer
“A challenge is only meaningful when there are dangers - and the chance of failure.”
Aristotle in Metaphysics argued that the pursuit of knowledge is part of human nature: we should explore the ever-changing world around us ourselves and not leave it up to others.
So many have died trying to reach the North Pole. Before the 20th century a thousand tried and 751 died in doing so.

Other books to read
Papillon, Henri Charriere
The Adventurer: The Fate of Adventure in the Western World,Paul Zweig
Faust, Goethe
On the Tragic, Zapffe, English translation

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn’t quite what I expected since the author’s North Pole adventure was interwoven in the book and was not the primary focus. Felt a bit slow and since it bounced between different other expeditions and adventurers, it felt disjointed. I occasionally skimmed content. Obviously well researched and overall the topic is of course interesting but felt like a bit of a slog to get through.

[Kathy Parkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book. I learned so much I never about the North Pole and the history of the many polar explorers through the ages. This book is one of those nonfiction books that reads like a good novel yet full of interesting facts. And the author sprinkles in some philosophical tidbits also, getting the reader to ponder what it means to want to explore beyond our everyday lives.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much more than I expected! Not just a personal story of his own expedition, but thoughtful discussion of other expeditions and why people are driven to test themselves. Well written. Fascinating read!

[Josh Noles · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best adventure book I'd read in a while. it goes through the history of North Pole exploration, the story of the author's successful trip to the North Pole, myths from around the world, and more. I'll be recommending this to others for a while.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-researched and thoughtful compendium of arctic exploration, After the North Pole nonetheless suffers some serious deficits. First, no index, and, second, what seems initially like breadth comes to feel scattered and confused as tales of explorers and their fates accumulate.

[Alex Shimmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more adventure, but found a lot of history. Gave it a good 100+ pages and still didn’t capture my interest. Some good snippets of his journey but historical and scientific references dominate the book.

[Sarah Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like nonfiction, especially adventure stories, but I found this very boring. The timeline of the author's personal journey was difficult for me to follow because it kept being interrupted by historical anecdotes or scientific side stories.