Nansen

Roland Huntford is, without a doubt, one of our greatest biographers on Polar explorers. His writings on Scott, Amundsen and Shackleton are among the very best. It is no less the case in NANSEN In this story of a very unusual, complex and troubled man, Huntford pictures Nansen as he really was, not some trumped up hero of his own making. Nansen was not a great leader of men, nor was he easy to be around. Yet, he had incredible drive and determination in all he did. His scientific research in his early days was ahead of its time and sadly, much of what he accomplished he was never given credit for. When he turned his life to Arctic pursuits, his drive was no less intense, as he perfected the art of Cross country skiing, was the first to cross Greenland and eventually ended up on one of the greatest epics of our time with his quest for the North Pole. Nansen's own account of the North Pole adventure was his book "Farthest North". Huntford, in his biography, covers this story in depth, drawing from Nansen's diaries as well as those of the other men involved. The result is that we have a deeper insight into what really happened rather than just relying on Nansen's own account. Whatever the case, this adventure was one of the most remarkable of all polar explorations and this alone is worth reading.The story of Nansen's life after this great episode, seems to bog down a bit. Nansen lived off his North Pole quest which made him a household name worldwide. This result was to put him into the political world in a way he never dreamed. Throughout the remainder of his life one has the feeling he really wanted to be exporing again and just get away from people and fame. He was a troubled and often unhappy man. Nonetheless, he certainly deserves his place as the father of Polar Exploration and many of those who followed owe much to him. An interesting story well worth the time.

First, Roland Huntford is a masterful biographer. But with Nansen, he had incredible raw material to begin with. Nansen went from a classic little fat boy to a championship skier. Essentially invented the sport of mountain skying. Leveraged a zoology undergraduate degree into a world-wide leadership position in the field of neurology. First man to travel across the Greenland ice cap. Set a record for the highest northern latitude in one of the riskiest expeditions of all time. Became the 'father' of polar explorers. Founder of the field oceanography. Instrumental figure in Norwegian independence. Leader of: (1) post-WWI prisoner exchanges; (2) feeding millions of starving post-revolution Russians without regards to politics or power; and (3) the 'placement' of millions of post-WWI refugees. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922. Other than that, Huntford had very little to work with.

Nansen was a real life superman of his age-a polar explorer, a skier,a scientist, a diplomat, a humanitarian, and a Noble prize winner. He also was a pretty lousy husband and father, a passionate lover, and a moody, tortured soul-not a particularly likable, but an endlessly charismatic human.This is a great biography, well written and well researched. The parts about Nansen's life and explorations are true page turners. I am less excited about sections of his diplomatic career, but they are a good history lesson.

Bought as Christmas present however I read this book myself years ago . Riveting read , it was such a vivid account that I felt that I journeyed with them albeit from the comfort of my armchair. Gripping stuff ,great book , leaves an imprint in the memory .

Compelling, balanced, well written and complete story of the original Norweigan explorer.As a Canuck guy I was brought up during the 1950s on the Scott/Shacklteton expeditions.That was a study of death, loss, miscommunication, misdirection, misappropriation frustration and incomprehensibly bad luck. Nansen's life was a study of intelligent scientific observation application, preparation and a dose of what has to be insanely good luck was a joy to read from cover to cover.The fact that I have never heard of his life or work before tells a great deal about my native land,which calls itself an Arctic based country.

Too many pages for a mere paperback, but then a hard cover would wear you out because of the size. Well told life of a hero, stateman and explorer.

good read. well paced. showing Nansen as a scientist, explorer, humanitarian activist and an ordinary human being, capable of making numerous mistakes

An important book considering the history of succeeding Arctic and Antarctic explorers. Well written too.

Very well researched biography. Described the development of Nansen's character and his relationships with contemporaries. There was more to this man than polar exploration, and the author showed Nansen's important role in Norwegian politics.He easily ranks with Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen as one of the great explorers. There is more to him than polar adventures, and we see in the end a man who didn't entirely fulfil his dreams. This book is thoroughly absorbing.

very good

An excellent biography of an amazing man.

amazing

book in excellent condition