THE LIFE OF ROALD AMUNDSEN, the greatest of all polar explorers, has never before been told in its full brilliance, heart-break, and glory. As the twentieth 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 twenty 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, com-merce, 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 Krakauer. The Last Viking is both a masterly biography and a cracking good story.