The compelling story of the Ross expedition to the Antarctic. Softback. The Book of the Month November 2023

Herbert Ponting (1870-1935) was young bank clerk when he bought an early Kodak compact camera. By the early 1900s, he was living in California, working as a professional photographer, known for stereoview and enlarged images of America, Japan and the Russo-Japanese war. In 1909, back in Britain, Ponting was recruited by Captain Robert Scott as photographer and filmmaker for his second Antarctic expedition.

Captain Woodfield made 20 seasonal voyages to the Antarctic on three research ships between 1955 and 1974. Starting as a Junior Deck Officer he worked for The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey which in 1964 became the British Antarctic Survey. He played a paramount role in the gradual change from using under-powered and poorly-equipped ships to the professionally-managed and sophisticated vessels of his last command.

Sue Blackhall reassesses Scott's life and the causes of the disaster that ended his and his comrades' lives, and the extent of his personal culpability. From a previously unassailable position, Scott has became a figure of controversy, with questions raised about his competence and character. However, more recent research has on the whole regarded Scott more positively, emphasising his personal bravery and stoicism while acknowledging his errors, but ascribing his expedition's fate primarily to misfortune.

These are the Journals of Francis Davies Leading Shipwright RN when on board Captain Scott's "Terra Nova" British Antarctic Expedition 1910 - 1913

Anyone interested in studying maritime history should be happy to read this gripping and scholarly study of Captain James Cook’s 18th century voyages in search of Antarctica.