Racing With Death

by Beau Riffenburgh (Artist)

Scott, Shackleton and Mawson were the three great explorers of the Edwardian age. Now Beau Riffenburgh tells the forgotten story of Douglas Mawson and his death-defying expedition of 1911-14. A key member of Ernest Shackleton's famous Nimrod Expedition, Mawson led his own Australasian Antarctic Expedition. However, following the tragic deaths of the other members of his sledging party, he was left to struggle the hundreds of miles back to base alone, only to find that the relief ship had sailed away, leaving him to face another year in Antarctica. Having survived with a small band of men against incredible odds, he later led a groundbreaking two-year expedition which explored hundreds of miles of unknown coastline. Mawson's is a story of true heroism and a fascinating insight into the human psyche under extreme duress.

Genres: History, Adventure, Nonfiction, Travel, Biography

297 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Beau Riffenburgh is an author and historian specializing in polar exploration. Under the pseudonym Simon Beaufort, Beau has also co-authored 10 novels with his wife, medieval mystery writer Susanna Gregory. Eight of these are about the Crusader knight Geoffrey Mappestone, but the most recent is a modern police procedural, The Murder House (2013). All told, he has written, edited, or contributed to more than 60 books.He is also an American Football coach and author of books on football history.

Reviews

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually I never read biographies, I don’t like them, because to me they are half-fictitious either way, and then It’s better to read the real stuff - fiction. However this book is different. Due to the amount of random events leading me to finding this book: First of all, it was in a Nepali-run German bakery in Rishikesh in India, I had just finished my previous book and decided to swap…thirst I thought it was a novel, but then I decided to give it a chance arguing that hey, it is about travelling and Antarctica (I like traveling books and never read a book set in Antarctica.)

I must say that I was really pleased with this one. It was suspending, though a bit slow for some time. It caught me as a novel would do, but I learned some things beside - however the greatest bonus is that I can small talk with all the Australians hanging out around here about their polar expeditions ;)

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible account of exploration and survival. One of the unsung great polar explorers, Mawson was an accomplished scientist whose work laid groundbreaking foundations for knowledge of Antarctica.

[Kym Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting read about Australian Antarctic scientist and expeditioner, Douglas Mawson. Less in the vein of the Shackleton / Scott spotlight and more about his flaws and foibles and his committed contribution to the science vs the politics of acquiring territories. I'm off to Antarctica next month and while I will not experience the wildness that Mawson did, it has certainly made me reflect on what Antarctica might teach me. An engrossing 4 stars.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

My sister-in-law gave me this book for Christmas and I enjoyed it. I'd read Mawson's Home of the Blizzard awhile back and enjoyed it. This biography of Mawson was different, though, expounding on all of his Antarctic visits and explorations, whereas Home of the Blizzard focused on the 1911-1913 Australian Antarctic Expedition.

Riffenburgh writes eloquently about the hardships that Mawson and his colleagues experienced during their time in Antarctica, including the famous sledging journey in which Mawson lost his two companions and narrowly escaped death himself. The author doesn't try to whitewash Mawson as Australia's hero of exploration -- he doesn't shy away from pointing out his shortcomings and conflicts with others. But he does paint a fair picture of an amazing scientist in his element.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to start by saying that compared to what Shackleton and his men went through, Mawsons journey seemed like a leisurely stroll on the beach on a sunday afternoon!

If you think Im exaggerating then you need to read "Endurance"

Certainly an amazing true story, somewhat tainted by the bitterness of death.
This book did drag towards the end, I mean after Mawson is rescued that should wrap things up! I dont want to hear about university polotics!

The best part was how Mawson found that food buried in the snow by his friends! "desperately hoping that somehow, in all that land of waste, it might be found and prove of use to their friends." And the fact that it was in one of those bags that his wife stitched! (Paquita bag)

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Standard antarctic fare really. Good to hear about the next most important explorer of the area after Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen etc. The tales of the parallel expeditions which sometimes were taking place are told well. Needed something a bit more uplifting afterwards thoug .....

[Effendy Yahaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a first book that I have tried to find on whether my reading suit the type of book as such as this. For a time being, it is not. I should be able to adapt in finding my type of story book, perhaps, mystery or thriller.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about the amazing race for survival of Douglas Mawson after he'd lost his two companions. A good read for those who love adventure, Antarctica and heros.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't actually put this down. Perhaps in part due to the magnetic pull polar exploration has on me…..

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story of a perilous adventure, well worth a read.

[Shelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title is a tad over-the-top, only a portion of the book relates to it. Overall, informative and interesting. Anyone who likes explorer/Antarctic/survival books will enjoy it.

[John Howes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good detail but not as good as author's Nimrod.