Race to the Pole, Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Race to the Pole, Sir Ranulph Fiennes
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Race to the Pole
Tragedy, Heroism, and Scott’s Antarctic Quest

Author: Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Narrator: David Povall

Unabridged: 16 hr 21 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/01/2004

Synopsis

During the Golden Era of Exploration, Captain Robert Scott and his competitor Roald Amundsen conquered the unconquerable: Antarctica. Their perilous race to the South Pole claimed Scott's life and became the stuff of legend as well as endless scrutiny. In this compelling biography of Captain Scott and his fatal journey, renowned modern-day explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, holder of ten expeditionary records, has written what is sure to become the definitive book on this hotly debated subject. Infused with the intensity of fiction, and the author's hard-won, firsthand knowledge of what it takes to traverse the Antarctic continent, Race to the Pole is a prodigious achievement certain to become a classic in the literature of exploration.

About Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been called the “World’s Greatest Living Explorer” by the Guinness Book of Records. He has traveled to the most dangerous and inaccessible places on earth. In the process he lost nearly half his fingers to frostbite, nearly died on several occasions, and raised millions for charity. He discovered the lost city of Ubar in Oman, was the first man to reach both poles by surface travel, and was also the first to cross the Antarctic continent unsupported. In 1993 Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the Order of the British Empire for “human endeavor and charitable services.” An elite soldier, athlete, mountaineer, and renowned explorer, he is also the author of more than a dozen books of fiction and nonfiction.

About David Povall

David Povall is a professional voice actor. He has also appeared on stage in such renowned successes as Grease and The Phantom of the Opera. He has more than forty other theater credits, including A Day in the Life of Joe Egg, White Lies, and Black Comedy. David has also appeared in numerous films.

Reviews

Goodreads review by 'Aussie Rick' on January 08, 2013

This biography on Captain Scott by Ranulph Fiennes will rank in my top ten books for 2003. I have to confess that I have no in-depth knowledge on artic travel and exploration other than having read a few good books on the subject. Having said that, out of the books that I have read on the subject th......more

Goodreads review by Katie on September 28, 2023

Having really loved Ranulph Fiennes's Shackleton, I thought I'd go back and try out this one. I was not disappointed. This was amazing, both in what it was telling and how it was telling it. I only knew bits and pieces about what happened to Scott and his subsequent legacy, so I was going into this......more

Goodreads review by Tim on July 29, 2020

This book has two parts: first, a biography of Scott, with detailed accounts of his Discovery and Terra Nova expeditions, and, secondly, a defence of Scott’s legacy against those who have subsequently “debunked” him. I knew very little about Scott and South Polar exploration before this, and even les......more

Goodreads review by Igenlode on January 09, 2024

As someone who actually has lengthy Polar experience, Fiennes brings a unique angle to this much-told story: he knows just what it is actually like to see your own feet rotting from gangrene, to lose 25% of your body weight despite eating to satiety every day because you are expending more energy th......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on November 10, 2018

Interesting to hear about Fienne's experiences alongside Scott's and a decent overview of the historiography surrounding Scott. It's pretty readable too though sometimes the paragraphs don't seem to link and it meanders through different topics vaguely related. The biggest issue with the book is that,......more

Quotes

“David Povall offers an intelligent, listenable reading…Povall reads the history sections in an engaged, well-paced manner that never loses the listener, and he offers an intense but not-too-dramatic rendition of Scott’s travails. Perfect for history buffs and armchair adventurers.” AudioFile

“A superb and poignant book about the tragic saga of the South Pole, by celebrated explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. A classic on exploration.” Jean Malaurie, director of Arctic Studies at the School of Advanced Studies in Social Sciences of Paris

“This is the real story of Scott’s journey to the South Pole, told as only today’s greatest polar explorer could—with courage, determination, honesty, and clarity. This book is an innovative triumph that finally replaces rumor with reality.” Susan Solomon, author of The Coldest March

“An intimate, revelatory, fresh, and refreshing up-close and personal account…Now, finally, the tale has been told, and Captain Scott has found his literary home.” Jennifer Niven, author of The Ice Master

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