Fatal North

Rating:
Summary: First rate, worth reading
Review: Even if the subject matter doesn't seem exciting to you, this book is well worth reading. This book is in the "can't put down' category.

Rating:
Summary: A terrific yarn -- and it's true, too!
Review: I am a sucker for survival tales and this is one of the best I have read. Written by newspaperman Bruce Henderson, it is well researched and presented in a clear, concise manner with just the right amount of detail and suspense enough for several books. This was America's first attempt to reach the North Pole and unfortunately the government had to stick its hand in. It was during one of America's worst administrations -- that of U.S. Grant, and he and his cohorts bungled this venture, too. They spent the money to do it right, but put the wrong people in charge and put together contracts that spelled doom from the start. The hero of the tale is George Tyson, and what a hero he is...fighting almost unsurmountable odds as he struggles for months on an ice flow with 19 deserted shipmates in the Artic. There are enough villians -- a drunken sea captian, a murderous physician, a crew that refuses to take any orders. I highly recommend this one without fear of contradiction from anyone who appreciates a good adventure.

Rating:
Summary: Murder most foul near the top of the world
Review: This is an excellent account of the first state-sponsored American attempt to reach the North Pole. Headed by the single-minded Captain Charles Hall, this expedition was beset by problems from the start. There were serious conflicts of interest between those who were aiming for the Artic goal (Hall) and the scientific group, not to mention disastrous insubordination from crew-members who did not feel that Hall was qualified to commandeer the ship.

What makes this book unique from many other polar exploration works is that it also revolves around a more than century-old murder mystery on board the ship; that of Captain Hall himself. These two aspects provide a chilling account of what happens when there is lack of discipline and unwavering leadership on board any seabound vessel.

A terrific true account that reads like a novel. Great addition to any polar exploration library.