To the Edges of the Earth: 1909, the Race for the Three Poles, and the Climax of the Age of Exploration Paperback – March 26, 2019

The book was in great condition and was wrapped prior to mailing. Very pleased.

Full disclosure: I purchased this book because Endurance by Alfred Lansing is one of my all time favorites. That being said, this book took a different turn with the writing style. The last third of the book really picked up and reminded me of the Lansing work, but the rest of the book lays out the history and goes back and forth highlighting some of the early explorations. Overall, a fairly entertaining read and a decent means of escaping during COVID.

Every page is a surprise. I thought I knew most cool stories about Shackleton, but then I read this book. And the legendary geologists Edgeworth David and Douglas Mawson are revealed on their raw expedition to locate the south magnetic pole. I didn’t know much about Peary and the search for the north pole – now I do. The parts about the controversy of the priority of Cook versus Peary was dealt with in a manner I could grasp. Peary's relationship with Henson was illuminating. I had never heard of the Third Pole or knew anything about the background of K2, or the Duke of Abruzzi. Every page is a book unto itself. Not to mention the references and notes fill up about one-third of the pages, attesting to the scholarship of Larson. What a tour-de-force. I recommend this book to anyone who is captivated by true adventures, like myself.

The title is far more exciting than the book

Enjoyable read. Follows three separate expeditions; one each to the poles and one attempt to climb Everest. That last is weaker than the other two but still in all, an entertaining read

Larson has seamlessly interwoven three tales epitomizing the concept of "masculine courage" shown by those seeking to fill in the last empty spaces on the globe as the twentieth century began. American, British, and Italian explorers submitted their bodies to excruciating torment in order to be the first to attain the "three poles" located in the harshest environments of the planet. The author's personal experience in Arctic, Antarctic, and Himalayan regions make his descriptions of their hardships come alive. Readers will be amazed by the fortitude shown by these explorers in their quests for their personal goals. Maps and photos enhance Larson's descriptive prose and document the expeditions.

The story was interesting and well written. I had only known the basic facts, so it was fascinating to learn more about it.

Must read for anyone inspired by exploration and the anatomy of survival. A perfect companion on a long trip into nature.

In this absolutely mesmerizing book, the author recounts the human quests to reach some of our planet’s most extreme locations: the North Pole, the South Pole and select mountain peaks of the Himalayas. In each case, background information is provided on the explorers in question as well as on prior attempts – by them and/or others, if any - on reaching the ultimate objectives. In general, each chapter pertains to a specific quest/expedition, alternating with chapters on the other quests; this is done through most of the book. In the final two chapters, the expeditions’ return trips are discussed as is the overall aftermath – personal and otherwise - in each case.I found this book to be quite a page-turner. The author’s prose is clear, accessible, very lively and immensely captivating. It should be of great interest to those who enjoy gripping adventure stories, as well as history enthusiasts with a penchant for explorations that took place around the turn of the twentieth century.

This book takes the reader into the adventures and incredible stories of endurance with these great historical figures. The personal insights of the personalities bring the reader into a different world in which a quest for fame included a willingness to risk it all and endure in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances. Our world has changed and an array of different hero’s have risen to capture our attention but few today will be immortalized in time like these great explorers.

Interesting and well written book. As good as a decent fictional fictional adventure .