The British Antarctic Terra Nova Expedition of 1910-1913 remains firmly imprinted on the public consciousness. The tragic heroism of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his brave companions is known to us all and the wider scope and accomplishments of the expedition are also very familiar. This is in no small part due to Herbert Ponting’s photography and filming of the ambitious endeavour. The first professional photographer to accompany an expedition of this kind, his images of Antarctica are exceptional and have left us with an enduring and memorable record.
His written account of being part of Scott’s team is sometimes overlooked but The Great White South is a truly engaging and enjoyable tale. From vivid descriptions of the icy landscape, gales at sea and near-death experiences with killer whales to his perceptive character studies and love of Adelie penguins this is a terrific read. In writing his book, Ponting hoped to inspire the next generation of British children to emulate the courage and ambition of Scott. It achieves that and much more. This new edition features a specially commissioned preface by renowned adventurer and explorer Sir David Hempleman-Adams.