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True North: Peary, Cook, And The Race To The Pole | 
 enlarge | Author: Bruce Henderson
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $5.49
You Save: $19.46 (78%)
New (8) Used (9) from $4.59
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 124685
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 331
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.91632
ASIN: B000OZ28LU
Publication Date: April 18, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
This book is about one of the most enduring and vitriolic feuds in the history of exploration. "What a consummate cur he is" said Robert Peary of Frederick Cook in 1911. Cook responded, "Peary has stooped to every crime from rape to murder." They started as friends and shipmates, with Cook, a doctor, accompanying Peary, a civil engineer, on a Greenland expedition in 1891. Peary's leg was shattered in an accident and without Cook's care he might not have walked again. But by the summer of 1909 the goodwill was gone. Peary said he had reached the North Pole in September 1909; Cook presented evidence that he got there in 1908. A century later, the battle still rages. Bruce Henderson makes a wonderful narrative out of the claims and counterclaims, and he introduces fascinating scientific and psychological evidence to put the appalling details of polar travel in a new context.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 6 more reviews...
The Truth, Mystery and Tragedy of Two Men July 7, 2008
There were no winners in this race, as expertly laid out by author Bruce Henderson. While the rival "sides" in this debate may never settle, it's tragic to read how two strong men ended their arctic adventures (and friendship) in such rancor and misery. In the end, there's so much confusion to it that history will probably never give either the "prize."
One thing that caught me off guard was the despicable lengths to which Peary went to discredit Cook, even going so far as to coerce the eskimoes into confused statements and ensure the 'disappearance' of Cook's instruments. The whole story was summed up for me in the words of the two men themselves:
PERRY:
"I shall not be satisfied until my name is known from one end of the world to the other. I MUST have fame."
COOK (in dedicating his own book):
"To the Indian who invented pemmican and snowshoes;
To the Eskimo who gave the art of sled traveling;
To this twin family of wild folk who have no flag
Goes the first credit."
by the author of The Swan: Tales of the Sacramento Valley
Terrific "true life" adventure August 26, 2007
This is a must for fans of arctic exploration. A terrific story, well told. The account is not an attempt to boost the claims of either Peary or Cook. Rather it is a riveting account of the facts as best we can know them, leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. If you are familiar with the book or TV series "The Last Place on Earth" recounting the race to the South Pole by Scott and Amundsen, you will want to read this book. There are some obvious comparisons of the two men's personalities, but the overall story of "True North" is even more rich. One of the best nonfiction reads you are likely to encounter.
Who Was First? July 7, 2007
If you are a lover of Arctic adventure and history this is a must read!
Bruce Henderson does a great job comparing the two men who claimed to be first to the North Pole. Was it Peary? Was it Cook? This is so well written and interesting you'll find it hard to put down. I have always had my opinion as to who can rightfully claim the title of "First", but after this book, I changed my mind. You may do the same. Each explorers journey is detailed along with a close look at thier personality and inter-action with others. I guarantee you will love this book!
Peary: Egomaniac June 18, 2007
My wife bought this for me suspecting, as a land surveyor, I would find it interesting. I did ... and then some! Learned some facinating history of the race to the North Pole. Something we don't think much about these days. Cook and Peary's adventure has very little - yet much to do land surveying, (the mathematics/observations). Much of our profession's "roots" come from the U.S. Coast and Geological Survey mentioned in this fine history book. The story was absolutely enthralling! Thanks be to the author for taking us to the "end" with Dr. Cook - such a humble "gentleman"! Such a sad ending.
A Race Not To Be Missed! May 25, 2007
It is often difficult to translate history into a compelling story. Bruce Henderson, however, managed beautifully in True North. It was a terrific read, with all of the action of a adventure novel, but wonderfully documented and (near as I can tell) historically on point.
It was a post-hospital read following the birth of my last baby, and despite my exhaustion, I had a difficult time putting it down.
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