Snow Man: John Hornby in the Barren Lands [Paperback]

Malcolm Waldron (Author), Lawrence Millman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

Canada's Barren Lands -- that rugged, desolate, heroically beautiful part of the Northwest Territories -- was one of the last great unexplored areas of North America. In 1923 John Hornby and James Critchell-Bullock set off on a year-long expedition to the Barrens, supported only their wits and their weapons. Based on Bullock's diaries, Snow Man is the story of that journey and a testament to the strength of human character. We share in Hornby's and Bullock's sufferings and triumphs as they canoe and portage across the endless taiga, endure terrible hunger, and ultimately achieve their goal of being the first white men to live off the Barren's for an entire year.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important book ... It develops rapidly and with that romantic passion that storms history. Hornby, superman of the snow country, will take his place some day in world legends." Books "Snow Man is the thrilling record of two gentlemen and adventurers." The Nation

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha America; 1st wraps edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568361831
• ISBN-13: 978-1568361833
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #850,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Dark Voyage Into The Heart of the Canadian Arctic, March 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Snow Man: John Hornby in the Barren Lands (Paperback)

This book is interesting for a number of reasons. First, it is a story which has a history of its own, written decades ago and re-published in an updated version exhibiting the artwork of the original hardcover. However, it is the story of the legendary John Hornby which grasps the reader, and catapults him back into a time when true adventurists and explorers still existed. The book does a wonderful job of making the reader feel that he is with Hornby in the Arctic, living in a hole dug into an esker, walking blindly through a blizzard, or starving on a river bank in the middle of Arctic 'summer'. A must read for those who enjoy stories of adventure in desolate places.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars DO NOT READ!, October 19, 2011

By 

seller559 (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Snow Man: John Hornby in the Barren Lands (Paperback)

This book is well written, documented. I have no issue with the author and respect his labor. The "star" of this book should not be glorified. Many people have endured such hardship for noble reasons and or accidental mishap. These two con men are not those. Should have been titled "Grafters on Ice". The saddest fact is in the end he cons his own family members into a voyage where they can "learn to starve" correctly , or some such non sense. They all died. This is not courageous. I read over 30 books this past winter. I gained something from each book. Not this one. I wish I had not read it.