A History of Polar Exploration in 50 Objects: From Cook’s Circumnavigations to the Aviation Age

Some objects were used by famous explorers, but more testify to important work by mariners, scientists, artists, photographers and filmmakers, or sometimes overlooked roles played by explorers’ relatives, sponsors and other supporters. They include:

• Mrs Elizabeth Cook’s ‘ditty box’

• An innovative crow’s nest

• Francis Crozier’s penguin specimen

• An octant used in searches for John Franklin

• A scientist’s portable paintbox

• An expedition prospectus

• An Antarctic Baby biplane

• HMS Erebus’s long-lost bell

Collectively, the objects evidence a continuum of polar endeavour which, notwithstanding national ambitions and personal rivalries, reflect levels of international collaboration to which we should aspire when exploring or attempting to safeguard the increasingly fragile polar regions.

Anne Strathie has written three biographies of members of Captain Scott's 'Terra Nova' Antarctic expedition. Research for her books has taken her all over Britain and to Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, America, Japan and Norway, including Spitsbergen. Anne, who was brought up in Scotland, now lives in Gloucestershire, England, where she writes and researches on polar and other subjects and regularly gives talks and participates in events in Britain and overseas.

'Anne Strathie has chosen wisely – some objects will be familiar, but many more are discoveries in their own right, plucked out of museums, archives and private collections, or from remote sites visited during the author’s own travels. It’s a tour-de-force of the human element of polar explorers, their families, and all who have found in these venturesome voyages inspiration for their own.' - Russell A. Potter, author of Finding Franklin and Arctic Spectacles

'This beautifully illustrated treasure trove of polar objects is an absolute joy to delve into. There are surprises in store even for those who know a great deal about polar history. It’s particularly gratifying that objects created by and treasured by women who played a role in the history of polar exploration are given such prominence. A wonderful addition to any polar library.' - Anne Fletcher, historian and author of Widows of the Ice

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ The History Press (21 Nov. 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN ‏ : ‎ 9781803991054
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.6 x 2.7 x 23.4 cm