The Crossing of Antarctica

by Vivian Fuchs, Edmund Hillary

“A story of courage and enterprise, of endurance and cheerfulness, that will stir the hearts and minds of young people of all ages for generations to come.” – Sir Edward Appleton FRS, in The Scotsman.

“Although the everlasting ice remains as the background to all that happens, it is a story on an altogether more human scale which finally emerges and which gives this account its particular interest. Photographs which must leave even a reader familiar with Alpine and Himalayan colouring admiring and amazed.” – The Times.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel, Unfinished

337 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love reading about Arctic, Antarctic, and mountaineering expeditions which is why I picked up this book from a local used bookshop. The story of the first successful land crossing of Antarctica was unfamiliar to me so I was excited to read the official record of the journey. Unfortunately, this book is a tedious, boring narrative of an extraordinary accomplishment. If you are interested in a more engaging, succinct version of the story, the January 1959 issue of National Geographic has an excellent article by Vivian Fuchs about this trip with all of the boring bits cut out.

[^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very matter-of-fact account, written very much in mind of the primary responsibility to impart both essential and useful information to promote the survival and success of future expeditions.

Nonetheless, it's a very good read. I found the lack of emotional and over dramatic language (so often employed nowadays) really refreshing. This fascinating account of man and expedition technology neatly fills the gap between Scott and the tourists of today.

The photographs are superb, and cover everything from spectacular landscapes, to equipment used, to sawing up seal meat for the dogs in winter.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of interesting information. Very technical at times. Those with knowledge of machinery, exploration, reading a compass hehe would probably enjoy more. I am currently obsessed with all things polar-so I did enjoy this.

[Jason Slemons · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty detailed, can be dry as a result but sometimes the details are really interesting/amazing.

[Chels S · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dumbasses falling through the ice constantly and wasting extremely expensive weather balloons for no discernable reason.

[Agnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinerend, technisch verslag van de reis in de 50er jaren van de 20e eeuw dwars over de Zuidpool. Juist de zakelijkheid maakte het raar genoeg boeiend.

[Ann Repetto]

skimmed abt half

[Norain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I assumed Antarctic Adventure to be the same book as this.

Sir Fuchs had an amazing knack of humour in noting down small events that seemed insignificant, this being a memoir of a scientific exploration plus an expedition to cross the Antarctica, and making all the scientists so much more humane then the image we usually had of them. My favourite part was a whole chapter dedicated to describing about training huskies: adorably hilarious.