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Scott & Amundsen

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Scott & Amundsen

By: Roland Huntford
Narrated by: Tim Pigott-Smith
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At the beginning of the twentieth century, the South Pole was the most coveted prize in the modern age of exploration. In this brilliant dual biography every detail of the great race to the South Pole during 1911-1912, between Britain's Robert Scott and Norway's Roald Amundsen, is examined and re-assessed.

Scott, who died along with four of his men, became Britain's beloved failure, whilst Amundsen, who not only beat Scott to the Pole but returned alive, was until recently largely forgotten. In this fully revised and meticulously researched work, Roland Huntford gives a fascinating account of the realities which faced both men. He describes the driving ambition of the era and the complex, often deeply flawed individuals who were charged with carrying them out.

Tim Pigott-Smith narrates with clarity and style. A distinguished actor, Tim first came to prominence in television's "A Jewel in the Crown". Throughout a successful film, television and theatre career he has always retained a passion for the spoken word.

©2010 Roland Huntford Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Arctic & Antarctica Expeditions & Discoveries Polar Regions Travel Writing & Commentary World
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Critic reviews

"Fascinating, and a well-chosen narrator."
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This is a good if an uncomfortable and perhaps exaggerated read; the author sets out to dethrone Scott, emphasising how poorly he planned his Antarctic trip compared to the Norwegian Amundsen. To those who grew up knowing of the great hero Scott of the Antarctic, this may be jarring.

Hatchet job on Scott

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Having read other books of Scott’s expedition, I’d figured for myself he wasn’t a particularly gifted leader or good at planning. However the way Amundsen is idolised and Scott unfailingly criticised over what felt like everything was very annoying. Too many vailed opinions amongst the facts. Structured or narrated in a way that makes it come across as very biased, not sure which. Will probably avoid the author’s other books because of it.

Essential but very annoying read.

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An excellent book that corrects the myth that Scott was an unlucky hero but rather an arrogant, hierarchical, incompetent poor leader who failed to learn any lessons that led to his teams death.

Debunking a myth

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A most enjoyable book and the real story for the race to the South Pole but very tragic for Scott's team.

Truth.

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Great account. Perhaps slightly over-zealous bias against Scott at times, but when one considers the opposite bias he has bathed in for over a century, it's quite forgivable.

Fantastic narrator. Clearly spoken and well recorded.

Superb.

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