The Worst Journey in the World

Name: The Worst Journey in the World
Brand: Vintage Publishing
SKU: 9780099530374
Price: 45.0 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

Ranked number 1 in National Geographic’s 100 Best Adventure Books of All Time

By Apsley Cherry-Garrard

4.18

( 7,843 ratings, 716 reviews)

Summary

The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard recounts the harrowing experiences of the 1910-1913 British Antarctic Expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott. It highlights the extreme challenges faced by the team, particularly during a perilous trek to Cape Crozier to collect emperor penguin eggs under brutal weather conditions. The book mixes personal reflections with gripping tales of endurance, exploration, and survival.
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Format: Paperback / softback

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by gripping true stories of exploration and human endurance. It offers a vivid account of the harrowing experiences faced during an Antarctic expedition, capturing both the thrilling challenges and the deep camaraderie among the explorers.

The Worst Journey in the World

Despite the horrors that Scott and his men eventually faced, Cherry-Garrard's account is filled with details of scientific discovery and anecdotes of human resilience in a harsh environment, supported by diary excerpts and accounts from other explorers.

When people ask me... "What is your favourite travel book?" I nearly always name this book. It is about courage, misery, starvation, heroism, exploration, discovery and friendship' Paul Theroux

Description

The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard is a timeless classic of travel literature that chronicles one of the most harrowing expeditions ever undertaken. As one of the youngest members of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition to Antarctica (1910-1913), Cherry-Garrard provides an intimate and vivid account of the trials and tribulations faced by the team in their quest to explore the uncharted territories of the frozen continent.

The narrative delves into the gruelling, often tragic journey through some of the most hostile environments on Earth. The author meticulously records the epic struggles against relentless cold, physical exhaustion, and psychological strain as the team fights for survival. The book is not just about the disasters and suffering; it is also a testament to human endurance, the pursuit of scientific knowledge, and the profound camaraderie that developed among the men.

Cherry-Garrard's eloquent writing brings to life the stark beauty of the Antarctic landscape, interspersed with the excitement of discovery, even as danger lurks at every turn. His portrayal of the legendary winter journey to Cape Crozier, undertaken with Edward Wilson and Henry Robertson Bowers to secure Emperor penguin eggs for scientific study, is particularly celebrated for its vivid detail and emotional depth.

This centennial reissue of the book includes an introduction by esteemed travel writer Sara Wheeler, who provides contemporary insights into the significance of Cherry-Garrard's work and its enduring impact on travel literature.

Praised by renowned author Paul Theroux, who calls it his favourite travel book due to its themes of courage, misery, starvation, heroism, exploration, discovery, and friendship, The Worst Journey in the World is a monumental piece of literature. The New York Review of Books likens its significance to that of War and Peace in the realm of novels, underscoring its status as a masterpiece.

The Worst Journey in the World remains a compelling read, recognised as the pinnacle of adventure writing by various critics and readers alike. In fact, it was voted the Number 1 book in National Geographic’s 100 Best Adventure Books of All Time, cementing its place as an essential read for anyone fascinated by tales of human perseverance and the exploration of the unknown.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Often hailed as the greatest polar book, it is considered a masterpiece of heroic travel and Antarctic exploration. Critics acclaim it as the finest adventure narrative ever published and a literary classic. Many admire its depth, with some readers having revisited it multiple times over their lives.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099530374

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 April 2010

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 45.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 562g

Pages: 720

Collections

Apsley Cherry-Garrard Biography & Memoir Non-Fiction Travel & Adventure

About the Author

Apsley Cherry-Garrard (1886-1959) was one of the youngest members of Captain Scott's final expedition to the Antarctic which he joined to collect the eggs of the Emperor penguin. After the expedition, Cherry-Garrard served in the First World War and was invalided home. With the zealous encouragement of his neighbour, George Bernard Shaw, Cherry-Garrard wrote The Worst Journey in the World (1922) in an attempt to overcome the horror of the journey. As the years unravelled he faced a terrible struggle against depression, breakdown and despair, haunted by the possibility that he could have saved Scott and his companions.