With Byrd at Bottom of World [Hardcover]

Norman D. Vaughan (Author), Cecil B. Murphey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1990

This book describes the drama, humor, human interst and close up look at the explorer.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

A fascinating account of a Harvard dropout who became dog handler on Byrd's 1928-30 expedition to Antarctica. Vaughan has many interesting anecdotes of a life that has been full and varied, as evidenced by the fact that he is 85 and still mushing. The story, like the author's life, suffers a letdown when Vaughan returns from Little America to begin a career in advertising. But the expedition account is riveting, and there are hints of later excitement. The book is a bit unfocused, however, and it is uncertain whether this is an autobiography, a biography of Byrd, or an account of a polar exploration. Recommended wherever general readers are interested in the Antarctic grail.
- Gary Williams, Southeastern Ohio Regional Lib., Caldwell
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1st edition (August 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811719049
• ISBN-13: 978-0811719049
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #811,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There still are heroes among us., June 27, 2005

By 

Donald P. Pehta "dpehta" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With Byrd at Bottom of World (Hardcover)

While vacationing in Alaska, I picked up this wonderful account of Antartic exploration in the 1920's by Norman Vaughn. It's a graphic description of life in the Antartic that convinced me that men were much tougher back then than they are today. Vaughn even spent time as a "coal stoker" on the ship carrying them to their eventual home for a year. Four hours of the hell he describes in the hold of that ship would reduce most of us to tears. He convinced the captain to allow him to do it, and suffered through it for 20 days, just to "toughen myself for the Antartic."

When I finished the book, I remarked to the innkeeper how much I admired this hero, thinking he was long gone. She replied "Well, that's old Norm. He still lives around here. As a matter of fact he was just on the Leno show."

Yep, he's 99 now, still living in Alaska, and promoting his latest book. I can't wait to read that one.