Vagrant Viking: My Life and Adventures

by Peter Freuchen, Johan Hambro (Translator)

Peter Freuchen, a Danish arctic adventurer, writes with the friendliest style you could possibly imagine while narrating absolutely harrowing adventures he experienced alone in arctic Greenland. He was the first man to cross the central glacier alone--eskimos didn't feel the need--yet the kindliness of his style makes you feel that you could have attempted the feat yourself. Maybe you could, now, with the help of his insights... and a few years in Thule with an eskimo wife. But his insights would be no less necessary after such experience. Humans learn best from stories told by their loved ones, these stories will be useful to those who brave the arctic and you will love Peter Freuchen like a grandfather after reading this book.

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

422 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Peter Freuchen, born Lorenz Peter Elfred Freuchen was a Danish explorer, writer and traveler.

He spent many years in Thule, Greenland, living with the Polar Inuit. He worked with Knud Rasmussen, crossing the Greenland icecap with him. In 1935, Freuchen visited South Africa, and by the end of the decade, he had travelled to Siberia.

In 1938 he founded The Adventurer's Club (Eventyrernes Klub in Danish), which still exists. They later honoured his memory by planting an oak tree and creating an Eskimo cairn near the place, where he left Denmark for Greenland back in 1906.

He was also employed by the movie industry as a consultant and scriptwriter, specializing in Arctic-related scripts. Most notably MGM's Oscar winning Eskimo/Mala The Magnificent starring Ray Mala. In 1956, he won $64,000 on The $64,000 Question, an American TV quiz-show on the subject "The Seven Seas".

During World War II, Freuchen was actively involved with the Danish resistance movement against the Germans, despite having lost a leg to frost bite in 1926. He was imprisoned for a time by the Germans.

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I only accomplish a third of what Peter Freuchen accomplished in his lifetime I shall be very happy. Except for the self-amputation of part of his own foot. I'll leave that well enough alone. Freuchen led an incredibly exciting life and this book is one that is hard to put down.

Vagrant Viking is Freuchen's autobiography. Born in Denmark, he was a disturbing child that performed many hijinks. As he grew up, he realized University was not for him and instead joined an expedition to Greenland and the arctic. Here he would stay many years running a trading post and marrying, but Greenland wasn't the last of his travels and he also went to Siberia and to Hollywood to make movies. During World War II he was part of the resistance and was arrested several times by the Gestapo. And those are only some of his stories.

If this book was only about Freuchen it would still be remarkable. He did so much with his life and made an impact on so many people. While I think he was a little socio-pathic as a youth, he grew out of that and helped a lot of people. Most of the people he mentions in this book are spoken of fondly. He obviously loved his first wife, Navarana, and missed her deeply when she died. His second wife, Magda, was more distant and based on his descriptions I'm not sure what he saw in her. She certainly didn't have any redeeming qualities that I could see. His third wife, Dagmar, also didn't play much of a role in the book, but at least seemed a stronger person than Magda. People you knew he definitely didn't like were Hitler's regime. As part of the underground movement, he made a lot of trouble for the Gestapo in Denmark.

Freuchen goes on a lot of adventures in this book. Some of them good, some of them bad, and he comes close to dying a few times. But that doesn't stop him. I like the way he added such detail to his books. You get the full effect of the taste of rotting seal or the fear of hiding from the Germans. Freuchen gets his emotions across very well. And while some of these descriptions might not be for everyone (the aforementioned seal), I hazard a guess that everyone will find something they like in this book. Just the section on Hollywood and his experiences making movies was exciting. I now want to find his movie and watch it as he does actually act in it.

A fantastic life and I'm glad he shared it with us. Between this book and the Book of the Eskimos I read from him, I'm very much now a fan.

Vagrant Viking
Copyright 1953
414 pages

Review by M. Reynard 2013

More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com

[Phrodrick slowed his growing backlog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Among the best things that can happen when reading the book is to be taken to a new world and share the experience of adventuring in this strange place. Peter Freuchen's Vagrant Viking; My life and adventures takes us into several strange places and takes us on adventures almost impossible to duplicate. The world of Peter Freuchen is earth beginning just over 120 years ago.

Freuchen will take us from his birth in pre-20th century Denmark through a life in Greenland as far from modern American city life as the moon is and then through a variety of experiences including a Hollywood movie maker, an operative in the Danish underground during World War II before becoming a relatively sedate journalist and speaker.

The years spent in Greenland are spend among the native Eskimo where he learned to live like and respect their ways. Much of this is not for the faint hearted. In a place of extreme starvation and limited food, mass whale killings and a diet of your own sled dogs are the not the least usual events. Life and death decisions have to be made even at the expense of family members and sometimes people are left behind. Part of survival in the wastes of Greenland includes paying close attention to the people who have learned to take the worst of luck and the best of it and laugh at both.

Among the local habits is one of self-depreciation. Given how often strangers meet and how little defense a person can have from a more powerful stranger, the locals have a ritual of communicating how little they have and how poor the quality. No one would say of their home or of their food cache that it is sufficient or plentiful.

Among the last of Freuchen's adventures in Greenland will be a cross country trek that will result in him freezing one of his feet. Months later when he is able to get western treatment for this problem, he will lose that leg.

This brings us to the middle third of this book. It is odd that this portion will be the least interesting. During this time he will write and act in a movie, travel across the Trans-Siberian Railroad and make himself unpopular with the Nazi government in Germany. For anyone else these stories would be exciting. Even his stories in the last third of the book; about participating in the Danish underground after his country is invaded by Germany lack the riveting impact of life in Greenland.

Throughout Freuchen's writing style is engaging an undramatic. A bear wanders into a cave where his team is sleeping off a major storm, so long as the dogs stay quiet, there is no need to get excited. Suddenly find yourself on an Ice floe? With no way to land? Wait it out, this is just another day at the office. In this way it is insufficient to know the broad arch of this man's life.

What carries the book are the details of his word. He will befriend and depend on the people of Greenland, even as others despise these same people as savages. Freuchen will meet and befriend other great adventurers like Ronald Amundsen, and be used by a variety of unscrupulous other people. His litany of items collected across the new Soviet Russia and will never be see again, becomes a punchline and not the complaint of a victim. Whatever befalls him, he is never a victim.

This is not the best of Peter Freuchen, there are too many stories. At times one can feel overcome by the flow of events. A large part of what Freuchen did in Greenland was to make maps, yet there are no good maps included. Perhaps he got in the habit of ignoring years but the book needed a few references to dates and once he moves into his life in the prewar years, he should have included more reference to events in the large world to provide better context to what he was doing and what was happening around him.

There are more Peter Freichen books. Vagrant Viking and the others need to be if not back in print, at least on Kindle. These are great stories, better for the fact that they are true. Peter Friechen was a giant among us and we could use some wonder at the life of an adventurer.

[Kate Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary memoir of an extraordinary man. Thrilling and spellbinding in equal measure.

[Sean Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book on the Internet Archive where previously you could borrow a book for days but on this occasion it could only be borrowed by the hour. Things had changed since I last made use of this great resource. However, no one else was reading it, so it was a simple matter to extend the loan hour after an hour or to return to where I had left off the previous day. I found the book a fascinating read, revealing the author as an Arctic explorer, journalist, novelist, lecturer and a part of the Danish resistance against the Nazi occupation in World War 2. His first wife was a Greenland Eskimo who bore him two children and he learned to speak his wife's language as well as several other languages in addition to his native Danish. His explorations, journalism and lecture tours took him to towns and cities throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and Russia. He led a most interesting life (passing away in 1957) and his recounting of his adventures (the book was written in 1953) kept me quite enthralled.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The autobiography of the actual most interesting man in the world. He survived one hair-raising adventure after another, and never compromised his principles or compassion, even under great pressure from the gestapo. He writes with a friendly tone and self-effacing humor. The things he accomplished in his lifetime are mind-boggling. He’s tops on the list of historical people with whom I wish I could have dinner — the conversation would be fascinating. Just look up some photos of him, and you’ll have an inkling of his fascinating character. I look forward to watching his 1933 movie, “Eskimo”, based on his writings about his life among the Inuit in Greenland. (He married an Inuit woman and happily lived for many years within their tribe.)

Look him up on YouTube — there’s an episode of BAMFS (bad-ass mother fuckers) of history that briefly summarizes some of his polar expedition/ Nazi fighting/ Hollywood cinema/ game show winning adventures. There is also an animated short film called Icebound that details the time he was trapped alone in a snow shelter during a polar arctic storm, and had to dig his way out through the ice and snow using a chisel he fashioned from his own frozen feces, then later had to amputate some of his own frost bitten/gangrenous toes. There is also the aforementioned full-length Oscar-winning film, “Eskimo” which he co-wrote and starred in as a villain. You might think this would exhaust the list of his adventures, but there are so many more.

[The Quiet Scholar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel like a lazy, couch potato that has spent these 42 years of my life coasting on TV, movies, and junk food. Don't get me wrong... I basically have, but Peter Frauchen really hit it home for me with his tales of adventures around Greenland, through Russia, his native Denmark, and even Hollywood. He literally makes his death-defying sled trips seem like a stroll in the park on a winter’s day with a light flurry of snowflakes. Vagrant Viking is an immersive, engulfing read from page one, made even more enjoyable with Frauchen's light, jovial, and eloquent style. From his boyhood days as a, well simply put, a juvenile delinquent that in this day and age would have found him in a detention center until adulthood! Some of his straight-up crimes were quite shocking eliciting the occasional surprised "wow!" from me with a shake of the head, and I'm not easily shocked! Luckily in the late 1800s, this was chalked up to 'rowdy boys' and blatantly ignored; much like his early childhood illnesses that would be medical malpractice today. Luckily, a simple twist of fate found Peter heading up to Greenland which was the beginning of a lifelong love of this vast snowy tundra and forging bonds with the native Eskimos that lasted the rest of his lifetime. Taking each chapter in this book one would be able to print a very impressive, standalone book, that’s how much content/adventure is in each (although the Russia chapters dragged on a little with mundane portions and flew by the meat and potatoes more so than the others.) For example, on many occasions he would add (and I paraphrase) while I rode on the train from A to B, I wrote my next novel which would become a Hollywood movie.

Like every tale Frauchian tells he inserts a line that is really amazing itself, as you note by the clever way there is a quote from inside that chapter as a heading-slash-teaser, I myself found it a little treasure hunt looking for this quote (yeah... the extent of my adventures, I'm afraid...) and the juicy tidbit would be filled out and explained with yet more intrigue and adventure, a literary style that is new to me but a joy to read. The many acquaintances along the way were also well detailed and reminisced about throughout the book and told parallel to the growth and industrialization of the once barren Greenland during and after WWII, with its strategic location north and east of the US it became a base of operations for the allies.
On many occasions, I envied Frauchens bluntness when talking with... well... anyone, from captains to Nazis to Kings he never belied his own personality and was a reluctant hero, explorer, journalist, Nazi fighter, and Danish legend. It was ultimately the 'poop as a chisel' rumor that I heard said for many years that I eventually hunted down the source and the man that purported this myth, and I was not disappointed. I will, without hesitancy, find his other novels and even the movies that some became, to learn more about and, yes, try and emulate at least one adventure in my life (sans frozen poop chisel... I hope.)

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this was a slow read for me I greatly enjoyed the time I spent deep in Freuchen's life. I stumbled upon who this man was from just a picture. This picture pulled me in and made me want to know more about who I saw. I was not disappointed in the least explorer, author, filmmaker, outspoken Nazi opponent the list just continues. Freuchen writes in a very calm but interesting manner providing a look at other cultures I had never put much thought into. An interesting person all around and a true BAMF.

[DropOfOcean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting biography as life of Peter Freuchen was very colourful. You get the impression that the man was full of energy. Always going somewhere, always doing something. He had not only hair raising adventures in arctic, he was also talented and imaginative writer, war hero and most importantly a nice human being. This book slightly overlaps with another book of Freuchen where he writes about his youth in Greenland and this is rather small minus.

[Jake Carufel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the most interesting reads about one of the most interesting humans to ever exist.

[Radek Kessl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild. The fact that this is an autobiography of real life events is absolutely unbelievable. I do not know a more eventful and rich life story than this. Peter Freuchen was an Arctic explorer, a reporter, a writer, filmmaker; he traveled the world, dug himself out of sure death with a shovel made from his own frozen excrements, built the first house in Thule - a town in Greenland he named, he met with kings, sheltered refugees, fought against the nazis, had a farm, 3 wives and 2 children.
Wow.

[Geza Borbely · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of the book you have the impression that Peter is making up all of his stories. But as time passes, you realise, that no one could possibly make up so many fascinating lies. At the end you just have to give in and enjoy the ride.

What I have learnt from this book in the first place is that: "nothing venture, nothing win".

[Pat]

A worthy read. Through this book, I traveled to places I likely will never reach - Greenland, circled the North Pole! A cultural and geographical introduction to Eskimo life and the northern reaches of our planet.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This man led a very interesting life. And he seems to tell the reader everything the way it actually happened, very candidly. The story is a little slow in some sections though.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polar stories from a larger-than-life explorer and raconteur.

[Mikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upea teos, paitsi elämäkertana myös aikalaisteoksena.

[Troutstream · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this book alone deserves one star, maybe two. I was on a roll reading adventure books from the arctic this last winter, and the majority of this book did not disappoint. But, the last 1/3 did disappoint. There is a note for this book that some parts have been fictionalized, but I won't spoil which parts that I thought were fiction/nonfiction. I was hoping the entire book would be focused on his time in Greenland and the incredible adventures that he endured-I couldn't put this book down for the first half-but there is a portion of the book that includes "adventures" in civilization. His time in the civilized world, the US and Europe, was not as exciting and enthralling. Either way, Peter Freuchen is a badass that any adventurer-type person out there should read.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an autobiography that continually leaves the reader wondering how all this could possibly happen to one person. The first solo crossing of the central glacier of Greenland, amputates his own foot, working with Hollywood producers to make a movie in Alaska, helping refugees from Hitler and so much more.

The authors writing style is fantastic, he doesn't portray any of these events as extraordinary, but rather writes about them as matter of fact. It's refreshing to read about the facts and events without feeling like the author is boasting the the rest of us mere mortals.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dos XX can suck it; Peter Freuchen is The Most Interesting Man in the World.
This guy did SO MUCH STUFF! And he didn't even get to the part where he won the $64,000 question!
It was pretty neat that he ran into so many great historical figures as well: US presidents, Fritzjoff Nansen, King Haakon of Norway, Neils freaking Bohr.
This book has so many fascinating stories, from his Arctic exploration and living (and digging his way to life with a dookie pick of his own making), to Hollywood, to anti-Nazi work, this guy did it all. They don't build them like this anymore.

[Billis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever the offer, he of course gave his immediate assent, then embarked. Straight ahead go-get'um character, fascinating little vignettes, a guest at the villa dives into the pool and slams her head on an alligator hiding there, a bizarre soviet sojourn, films and flights, and no reflection on the writing of the writings that pay for it all. What kind of mind did this man have?

[Scott Perron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real life adventure at its best.

[Joanne McGirr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely fascinating and couldn't put it down , the adventures in one lifetime are way off the scale . Brilliant .

[Will Carlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and well written. I enjoyed the pace of the book as well. Peter Freuchen writes well and gives the details of his life flawlessly.