Which way is North?
Bruce Henderson has written a marvelous account of the long forgotten competition to reach the top of the earth. We also have forgotten that polar exploration was big money in the early part of the 20th century. Newspapers backed explorers and were not above playing dirty with the claims of explorers backed by a rival paper.
The two top polar contenders, former colleagues, were the fame seeking always on leave Naval Officer Peary, and the Brooklyn physician turned Arctic, Antarctic, and high elevation explorer Cook.
Today most give the credit to Peary, even though Cook made his claim first and Henderson's review of the facts gives Cook equal if not superior claims. Unfortunately Cook left most of his documentation and instruments with a colleague. Peary then refused to transport anything belonging to Cook and Cook's evidence is still lost. In some ways Peary's evidence for his claim is also weak, especially since he did not write in his log book that he had reached the pole. You would think this would be a remarkable event, but there is no mention, only a single sheet added later.
Maybe no one has ever been to the pole at all and I should get out my sled and go this summer, hopefully I could find it with my GPS.
The Truth, Mystery and Tragedy of Two Men
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
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?
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
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.
