Belgica
Diary. The First Scientific Expedition to the Antarctic.
Edited
by Hugo Decleir
In 1897 the first Antarctic expedition of a purely scientific
nature set sail from Belgium (Gerlache De Gomery). On board, as second officer
in a multinational crew, was Roald Amundsen, the future conqueror of the South
Pole, and it was this expedition that fired him with his ambition to explore the
polar regions. Amundsen studied the personalities of those on board during that
first over wintering in Antarctica. He became acutely aware of the importance
of morale and strong leadership in these circumstances. Published by Erskin Press/
Bluntisham (1999). Available new for £25.
South
Pole: An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the Fram
The
original edition is a very rare book and later edition copies in good condition
are hard to come by. It relates Amundsen's winning race to the pole. Nothing was
left to chance and he reached the pole in 99 days. The expedition was well organised
and with weather conditions in their favour he reach the pole well before Scott.
Published in a two volume edition by Murray in 1912.
My
Life As An Explorer
Autobiography published 1927 by Heineman.
