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Roald Amundsen
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The South Pole: An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the Fram, 1910-1912 Paperback – November 21, 2000

by Captain Roald Amundsen (Author), Roland Huntford (Introduction)
4.4 out of 5 stars 93 ratings
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Roald Amundsen records his race to be the first man to reach the South Pole. Amundsen's expertise enabled him to succeed where his predecessors, and competitors, did not. His rival Captain Robert F. Scott not only failed to reach the Pole first, but―due to poor preparation and miscalculation―died with the rest of his party on their return trip. The South Pole remains one of the greatest and most important books on polar exploration.
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  1. Print length
    896 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Cooper Square Press
  4. Publication date
    November 21, 2000
  5. Dimensions
    6.28 x 2.46 x 8.94 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0815411278
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0815411277
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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This adventure harks back to the days when men were menAeven in mittens! Captain Amundsen was the leader of the first expedition to reach the South Pole, on December 14, 1911. His account was originally published as two volumes in 1913 and is here reproduced in a single package for the first time. Amundsen and his team endured frostbite, snow blindness, and other horrors, all of which are well chronicled here. The text is supported by many monochrome photos, maps, and charts. This also includes a new introduction by Amundsen's biographer Roland Huntford.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) was the first to sail through the Northwest and Northeast Passages, and the first to fly a dirigible over the North Pole.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cooper Square Press; First Thus edition (November 21, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 896 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0815411278
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0815411277
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.45 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.28 x 2.46 x 8.94 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 93 ratings

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Roald Amundsen

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4.4 out of 5 stars
93 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's writing style, noting its poetic whimsy and insightful approach. They appreciate the polar exploration content, with one customer describing Roald as the greatest exponent of the art of polar travel.

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5 customers mention "Writing style"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, noting its insightful and poetic whimsy, with one customer describing it as an extremely detailed journal.

"...The book is written in an honest and clean style - an extension of the Man and his nature...." Read more

"...A well written adventure journal that you will enjoy if you like polar exploration." Read more

"An excellent account, written with insight, warmth, and even poetic whimsy; not what one might expect from a man who has been called "the last..." Read more

"Love Roald's literary style.. I was able to vicariously join their journey. What an accomplishment...." Read more

3 customers mention "Polar exploration"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage of polar exploration, with one noting it is written by the greatest exponent of the art of polar travel.

"...In this book we hear in the words of the greatest exponent of the art of polar travel, the story of that rarest of plans - the perfectly executed..." Read more

"...A well written adventure journal that you will enjoy if you like polar exploration." Read more

"...I definitely recommend this book, not only to aficionados of polar exploration (a MUST read for them), but for anyone interested in the human spirit..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jackie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great conditions
    Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2024
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    The book is almost like new
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  • M. Bailey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Essential, but not a first read.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2017
    Without a doubt, Amundsen is a giant among polar explorers, having lead the first open-sea voyage of the Northwest Passage and, several years later, the first successful expedition to the South Pole. But there have always been questions about his tactics while racing to be the first at the Pole, and they do dim the glory of his achievement. This book is Amundsen's account of the endeavor, and it leaves some gaping holes; it's also not nearly as enthralling as some other accounts of polar explorers, such as those by Apsley Cherry-Garrard and Douglas Mawson. This is only partly due to the relative ease of his Antarctic adventures compared with theirs.

    Amundsen was an extraordinarily prepared explorer. He and his crew, a total of 19, grew up in Norway and skied from a young age. Amundsen felt strongly that the best way to travel over polar terrain was by ski, with Eskimo-dog-drawn sledges carrying supplies. Although he was fund-raising to try for the North Pole, Peary and Cook both made claims before he was ready, so without telling his financial backers or crew, he secretly planned to try for the South Pole instead, knowing that Robert Scott was already planning such an expedition. Only after they were on their way did he let the crew in on his plans and telegraph Scott with the news. Scott was already southward-bound at the time, and Amundsen would have known it would be months before Scott received the telegram, long after he could alter his own plans. This sneakiness, in a world typically governed by gentlemanly behavior, has tarnished his superb accomplishment.

    The account is interesting but not particularly gripping. Amundsen left out most problems that arose, especially his falling out with a young expedition member who had been foisted on him by a financial backer; he describes in glowing terms most aspects of their preparations, interpersonal relations, and run for the Pole. The trip was indeed a complete success: Pole realized, crew in good shape, and back early. The dispassionate descriptions of dogs and seals being slaughtered and used for food were pretty disagreeable - especially the crew's enjoyment of dog steaks. But it was a different time, of course.

    An essential read for the Antarctic enthusiast, but I would read this one first. Better to start with some of the more emotionally involving accounts about Scott, Mawson, and Shackleton.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Vincent Mortimer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The South Pole - The Masters Tale
    Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2001
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    Recent years have seen a re-examination of the Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration. Roland Huntford in his excellent books "The Last Place on Earth" and "Shackleton" helped to debunk the myth of the glorious failure (Scott the Martyr) as an example to follow.
    The greatest tale of this age was surrounded by no great tales of hardship, no honeyed or sanitised versions of the deed. In this book we hear in the words of the greatest exponent of the art of polar travel, the story of that rarest of plans - the perfectly executed coup.
    For a coup it was. When Amundsen turned from the North Pole to the South after the question of "the great nail" had been settled by Cook & Peary, his decision was treated in many sectors (most notably an unbalanced and jingoistic British Press) as underhanded and double dealing. Amundens account of the reasoning behind it makes clear that any deceit was necessary to ensure no forestalling of his plans by others - not only Scott. To ensure the future of his extended plan (the drift across the Arctic which was eventually carried out in the "Maud") he knew the Press Barons would need an exclusive and juicy story. The South Pole would give him this currency.
    The book is written in an honest and clean style - an extension of the Man and his nature. The hardships faced are almost disguised by the simple tale of their telling. To strike up an unknown glacier and forge his way over virgin ground on the way to the polar plateau and the Pole itself displays fortitude and grit we can only marvel at in todays world. But his description of the task is hidden behind a work-a-day narrative. To truly appreciate the splendour of the achievement is difficult in our modern era.
    One cannot help but admire the total outcome of the plan. There are few tales in history and few great men who can truly say they accomplished exactly what they set out to do in the manner in which they planned. Those who can are Masters of their field. Amundsen is such a man - and master.
    A feature of this book is the credit given by Amundsen to those who went with him. Where others claimed responsibility for the great deeds of their men, Amundsen retreats to the background and gives the credit to those who did the act. Natural humility is a trait of the Norwegian nature and Amundsen shows this in the writing of the book. There is no playing to the crowd but deeds are allowed to speak for themselves.
    To appreciate the tale, read the book and marvel.
    41 people found this helpful
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  • Anthony M. Frasca
    5.0 out of 5 stars Keep going!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2014
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    The Journal of Roald Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole. This book provides mostly logistics. But as they say getting there is half the fun. In this case its all the fun! Amundsen and his team set out on a large ship and get deposited on Antarctica where they set up a base camp to overwinter to try to reach the south pole the following spring. They dig a huge snow cave in which to live and maintain their dog teams, the key to their eventual success at reaching their destination. A well written adventure journal that you will enjoy if you like polar exploration.
    One person found this helpful
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  • James C. Casterline
    3.0 out of 5 stars Great expedition but hard on his dogs
    Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2014
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    The expedition which took Amundsen and his crew to the south pole was a remarkable accomplishment. Others tried. Some died. Others barely survived. Considering the time and the technology it is amazing to read about it. Unfortunately this book is less interesting than it could have been. The story is fascinating despite the description. Most distressing to me is the way the expedition treated the hard working, faithful dogs who were butchered along the way. I know that is how things had to happen and that the reluctance of Scott to use dogs and then slaughter them led to his death. This is a hard book to read.
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  • Sea Cay
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent account, written with insight, warmth, and even poetic whimsy
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2017
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    An excellent account, written with insight, warmth, and even poetic whimsy; not what one might expect from a man who has been called "the last viking". I had expected an almost dry account and found myself drawn into a narrative of which any novelist could be proud. I definitely recommend this book, not only to aficionados of polar exploration (a MUST read for them), but for anyone interested in the human spirit, human nature, and the wonders of nature.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jose Torre
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good conditions!
    Reviewed in Germany on January 28, 2025
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    It arrived as expected!
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  • John Brain
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 24, 2011
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    'The South Pole' is an account by Roald Amundsen of his expedition to the Antarctic in 1910-12. In fact, it is 4 books (or more) in one, for it includes an introductory history of polar exploration, an account of Amundsen's own overland journey to the Pole, a further account of the parallel part of the the expedition - an exploratory sledge journey - and a narration of the full journey of his ship the 'Fram', which sailed an incredible 54,400 nautical miles taking the main party to and from the Pole and conducting scientific research. In addition there are several detailed appendices.

    The book is written in an incredibly easy-flowing and eminently readable style.

    Three aspects in particular made a deep impression on me. First was the man himself - Amundsen. Incredibly brave and courageous; incredibly competent, and a much loved leader of his men. In terms of leadership, he was quite different from Captain Scott - his rival. Whereas Scott organised his expeditions on naval disciplinary lines, with officers and ordinary expedition members strictly separate, Amundsen, though as much if not more a leader, regarded his men as his equals - and shared everything.

    Secondly, the expedition was professionally driven. Prior to this 2+ year undertaking, Amundsen had not visited the Antarctic before. Yet his preparation was meticulous, foreseeing almost every eventuality. In particular, he knew that his only way to achieve success was by reliance on dog-hauled sledges and his use of over 100 dogs is described beautifully.

    Thirdly, the book demonstrates the remarkable levels of skills which men possessed a century ago, before the modern technological innovations which proceeded apace in the 20th century. Sailing skills were exceptional. Long before GPS, with relatively primitive instruments, latitude, longitude and altitude were calculated with unerring accuracy both at sea and on the ice bound land-mass. The ability to survive in an unrelenting climate, for many days and months on end, by careful planning, prodigious knowledge and an aptitude for innovation when circumstances dictated, were second-to-none.

    This is a superb book. Highly recommended.
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  • Anto
    5.0 out of 5 stars La spedizione al polo sud di Roald Amundsen
    Reviewed in Italy on August 13, 2014
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    Uno dei più importanti viaggi di esplorazione dell'Antartide, scritto con lo stile ironico ed essenziale tipico di Amundsen. Un resoconto di viaggio bello come un romanzo.
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  • Marc Ranger
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well prepared and modest
    Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2010
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    Roald Amundsen's account of his South Polar dash reveals how modest the man really was. He, alone (with the help of brother Leon), collected funds, found a suitable vessel, recruited professional polar travelers, bought dogs, food, materials of every kind, fought against incredible odds just to leave port with the expedition...all the while keeping it a secret!

    Yes he was deceptive, but he was succesful! His only concern was to get to the Pole and back. He never suggest otherwise. But woudn't you agree that there is a serious contradiction when the Scott expedition is concern? How can you brag going to Antarctica with an extensive program for the sake of "science", and still travel like cavemen over the ice man-hauling in terrible condition?

    The only thing missing from Amundsen's story is his relation with Johanssen, most specifically the tension between those two that endangered Amundsen's leadership when he started too early in september.

    I advise you to read both "Scott's journals" and "The South Pole" before going into all the others major books who analyses both men's work. That way, you'll be able to make your mind more freely about both explorers.
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  • Baraniecki Mark Stuart
    4.0 out of 5 stars Amundsen's Expedition to the South Pole
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2011
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    It's interesting to compare this account with Apsley Cherry-Garrard's story of the Scott expedition. They were both racing for the south pole but Amundsen relied on very careful preparation and an experienced team + a great respect for the conditions whereas Scott was poorly prepared, trusting more in late Victorian macho imperialism famously represented by his man pulled sledges. Everything works right for Amundsen in this excellent account of turn of the century polar exploration.
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