The Great White South: Traveling with Robert F. Scott's Doomed South Pole Expedition [Paperback]

Herbert Ponting (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 4, 2001

Photographer Ponting joined Robert Scott's expedition to the South Pole in 1910. His remarkable book not only tells of the life among Scott's crew on board and at camp, but also provides numerous photos depicting the Antarctic landscape. Ponting also recorded, both in print and on film, habits of the native penguins and seals, and shares stories of his arrival at volcanic Mount Erebus, nearly losing a team of dogs in a crevasse, and escaping a harrowing run-in with a pack of killer-whales. Ponting also tells of the struggle to survive in the extreme conditions at the pole, and how Scott died with two of his crewmen shortly after achieving their goal.

Editorial Reviews

Review

[Pontig] has given us a fascinating narrative of fortitude and achievement and a mass of information about the Antarctic that is otherwise unobtainable…. One of the most entertaining and instructive of books. (The New York Times )

Mr. Pontig's book must be considered to have a very important place in the literature of the Antarctic. (The Boston Transcript )

About the Author

Herbert G. Ponting (1870-1935) was a world traveler, pioneering photographer, and lecturer. Roland Huntford is author of Shackleton, The Last Place on Earth, and Nansen. He lives in Cambridge, England.

Herbert G. Ponting (1870-1935) was a world traveler, pioneering photographer, and lecturer. Roland Huntford is author of Shackleton, The Last Place on Earth, and Nansen. He lives in Cambridge, England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: Cooper Square Press (December 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815411618
• ISBN-13: 978-0815411611
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #678,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Antarctica

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful account, December 9, 2007

By 

Mr. A. Mc Rae (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great White South: Traveling with Robert F. Scott's Doomed South Pole Expedition (Paperback)

Ponting's book is an absolute must for anyone interested in Scott's Last Expedition. His narrative is witty and engaging throughout, whether it be concerned with his fellow travellers and their experiences, or related to the native wildlife - his chapters on seals and penguins are a particular delight.

The only downside to this edition is that the publishers unaccountably saw fit to provide a platform for another of Roland Huntford's incredibly tiresome and bitter rants about Captain Scott himself, by inviting him to contribute an unworthy, though mercifully short, introduction. Huntford's by now largely discredited iconoclasm despoils some of the dignity and freshness of Ponting's own work. Just ignore it and enjoy Ponting himself.

5.0 out of 5 stars True mentors of the past, August 3, 2010

By 

Stephen H. Hine "ABQSteve" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great White South: Traveling with Robert F. Scott's Doomed South Pole Expedition (Paperback)

A friend gave me an original copy of this book. He found the book in a family members garage. After reading a few pages I was "lost in the past." Ponting's wit along with his colorful description of the Expeditions participants make this a must read book. The day to day descriptions of these men's lives in harsh conditions; howling wind storms with sub zero temperatures. The tragedy at the end is a reminder of our fragile existence in this harsh environment. As Ponting says, "these are what real men are made of." Sadly, not many of our current role models live up to these past men's contributions to society.