The Last Viking: The Life of Roald Amundsen (A Merloyd Lawrence Book)

Looks at the life of the Norwegian polar explorer, describing Amundsen's approach to expeditions and his flair for self-promotion and publicity.;The life of Roald Amundsen, the greatest of all polar explorers, has never before been told in its full brilliance, heartbreak, and glory. As the 20th century began, the four great geographical mysteries -- the Northwest Passage, the Northeast Passage, the South Pole, and the North Pole -- remained blank spots on the globe. Within 20 years Amundsen would claim all four prizes. Renowned for his determination and technical skills, both feared and beloved by his men, unfairly vilified for beating Robert Scott in the race to the South Pole, Amundsen towers over the end of the heroic age of exploration, which soon after would be tamed by technology, commerce, and publicity. Feted in his lifetime as an international celebrity, pursued by women and creditors, he died in the Arctic on a rescue mission for a rival explorer. Stephen R. Bown has unearthed archival material to write a fast-paced tale with the grim immediacy of Apsley Cherry-Garrard, the inspiring detail of The Endurance, and the suspense of Jon Karkauer. The Last Viking is both a masterly biography and a cracking good story. - Jacket flap.;1. West -- The boy from the Mountain Kingdom -- Polar apprentice -- An extraordinary plan -- Where Franklin died -- An education at Gjøahavn -- 2. South -- "I resolved upon a coup" -- The Napoleon of the Poles -- Dogs and skis -- A featureless expanse of snow -- 3. East -- A hero returns -- A new battlefield -- The frozen reaches of Tartary -- 4. North -- Grounded dreams -- The Arctic Phoenix -- The dirigible and the fascist -- A massed attack on the polar regions -- 5. Lost -- No more Poles to conquer -- Epilogue: the end of the Heroic Age. The Life Of Roald Amundsen, The Greatest Of All Polar Explorers, Has Never Before Been Told In Its Full Brilliance, Heartbreak, And Glory. As The 20th Century Began, The Four Great Geographical Mysteries -- The Northwest Passage, The Northeast Passage, The South Pole, And The North Pole -- Remained Blank Spots On The Globe. Within 20 Years Amundsen Would Claim All Four Prizes. Renowned For His Determination And Technical Skills, Both Feared And Beloved By His Men, Unfairly Vilified For Beating Robert Scott In The Race To The South Pole, Amundsen Towers Over The End Of The Heroic Age Of Exploration, Which Soon After Would Be Tamed By Technology, Commerce, And Publicity. Feted In His Lifetime As An International Celebrity, Pursued By Women And Creditors, He Died In The Arctic On A Rescue Mission For A Rival Explorer. Stephen R. Bown Has Unearthed Archival Material To Write A Fast-paced Tale With The Grim Immediacy Of Apsley Cherry-garrard, The Inspiring Detail Of The Endurance, And The Suspense Of Jon Karkauer. The Last Viking Is Both A Masterly Biography And A Cracking Good Story. - Jacket Flap. Looks At The Life Of The Norwegian Polar Explorer, Describing Amundsen's Approach To Expeditions And His Flair For Self-promotion And Publicity. 1. West -- The Boy From The Mountain Kingdom -- Polar Apprentice -- An Extraordinary Plan -- Where Franklin Died -- An Education At Gjøahavn -- 2. South -- I Resolved Upon A Coup -- The Napoleon Of The Poles -- Dogs And Skis -- A Featureless Expanse Of Snow -- 3. East -- A Hero Returns -- A New Battlefield -- The Frozen Reaches Of Tartary -- 4. North -- Grounded Dreams -- The Arctic Phoenix -- The Dirigible And The Fascist -- A Massed Attack On The Polar Regions -- 5. Lost -- No More Poles To Conquer -- Epilogue: The End Of The Heroic Age. Stephen R. Bown. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Last Viking unravels the life of the man who stands head and shoulders above all those who raced to map the last corners of the world. In 1900, the four great geographical mysteries—the Northwest Passage, the Northeast Passage, the South Pole, and the North Pole—remained blank spots on the globe. Within twenty years Roald Amundsen would claim all four prizes. Renowned for his determination and technical skills, both feared and beloved by his men, Amundsen is a legend of the heroic age of exploration, which shortly thereafter would be tamed by technology, commerce, and publicity. Féd in his lifetime as an international celebrity, pursued by women and creditors, he died in the Arctic on a rescue mission for an inept rival explorer. Stephen R. Bown has unearthed archival material to give Amundsen's life the grim immediacy of Apsley Cherry-Garrard's The Worst Journey in the World , the exciting detail of The Endurance , and the suspense of a Jon Krakauer tale. The Last Viking is both a thrilling literary biography and a cracking good story. The Last Viking unravels the life of the man who stands head and shoulders above all those who raced to map the last corners of the world. In 1900, the four great geographical mysteriesthe Northwest Passage, the Northeast Passage, the South Pole, and the North Poleremained blank spots on the globe. Within twenty years Roald Amundsen would claim all four prizes. Renowned for his determination and technical skills, both feared and beloved by his men, Amundsen is a legend of the heroic age of exploration, which shortly thereafter would be tamed by technology, commerce, and publicity. Fted in his lifetime as an international celebrity, pursued by women and creditors, he died in the Arctic on a rescue mission for an inept rival explorer. Stephen R. Bown has unearthed archival material to give Amundsen's life the grim immediacy of Apsley Cherry-Garrard's The Worst Journey in the World , the exciting detail of The Endurance , and the suspense of a Jon Krakauer tale. The Last Viking is both a thrilling literary biography and a cracking good story. The Last Viking unravels the life of the man who stands head and shoulders above all those who raced to map the last corners of the world. In 1900, the four great geographical mysteries—the Northwest Passage, the Northeast Passage, the South Pole, and the North Pole—remained blank spots on the globe. Within twenty years Roald Amundsen would claim all four prizes. Renowned for his determination and technical skills, both feared and beloved by his men, Amundsen is a legend of the heroic age of exploration, which shortly thereafter would be tamed by technology, commerce, and publicity. Féted in his lifetime as an international celebrity, pursued by women and creditors, he died in the Arctic on a rescue mission for an inept rival explorer. Stephen R. Bown has unearthed archival material to give Amundsen’s life the grim immediacy of Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s The Worst Journey in the World , the exciting detail of The Endurance , and the... Prologue : The last of the Vikings Part one : West. The boy from the Mountain Kingdom Polar apprentice An extraordinary plan Where Franklin died An education at Gjøahavn Part two : South. "I resolved upon a coup" The Napoleon of the Poles Dogs and skis A featureless expanse of snow Part three : East. A hero returns A new battlefield The frozen reaches of Tartary Part four : North. Grounded dreams The Arctic Phoenix The dirigible and the fascist A massed attack on the polar regions Part five : Lost. No more Poles to conquer Epilogue : The end of the Heroic Age About the author