Dangerous crossings : the first modern polar expedition, 1925 / John H. Bryant and Harold N. Cones.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bryant, John H., 1941-2010.

Contributor:

Cones, Harold N.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

MacMillan Arctic Expedition (1925).

MacMillan Arctic Expedition.

MacMillan, Donald Baxter, 1874-1970--Travel--Arctic regions.

MacMillan, Donald Baxter.

MacMillan, Donald Baxter, 1874-1970.

Travel.

Arctic Regions.

McDonald, Eugene F., 1886-1958--Travel--Arctic regions.

McDonald, Eugene F.

McDonald, Eugene F., 1886-.

Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957--Travel--Arctic regions.

Byrd, Richard Evelyn.

Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957.

Arctic regions--Discovery and exploration--American.

Arctic regions.

Discoveries in geography.

Physical Description:

xiv, 206 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Annapolis, Md. : Naval Institute Press, [2000]

Summary:

The U.S. exploration of the northernmost regions of the world in 1925 was mounted by three extraordinary individuals: Donald B. MacMillan, a colleague of Robert Peary's and renowned polar explorer in his own right; Eugene F. McDonald, the man responsible for the Zenith Corporation's prominence in the radio industry; and Richard E. Byrd, a young naval aviator set on making a name for himself as an explorer. Their combined efforts led to the expedition's success as the first modern expedition to the Arctic. That is, it was the first time both aviation and shortwave radio were used in systematic exploration. Their hard-won accomplishments not only changed the future of polar exploration but the lives of the native northern populations as well. Significantly, the authors' access -- through a series of fortunate coincidences -- to the private papers of all the principals involved allows them to reveal this gripping tale of adventure.

Considered one of the most heroic missions in the annals of naval aviation, the expedition included the overflight of some thirty thousand square miles of the High Arctic in open-cockpit Loening Amphibian biplanes and a series of other events in which the explorers knowingly risked their lives in an unforgiving environment to add to the store of human knowledge. The authors' dramatic account fully documents the expedition's important work in the ruggedly beautiful Arctic landscape and provides significant insight into the character and early career of one of the most famous and controversial polar explorers -- Richard Byrd. Polar specialists and historians alike will welcome the wealth of new material presented here. Adventure-story fans will thrill to the dangers of the historic mission.

Contents:

1 Early Arctic Exploration 1

2 Planning the First Modern Expedition 25

3 The Expedition Sails North 66

4 Etah at Last 96

5 Southbound for Home 128

6 The Importance of the MacMillan Expedition 152.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [199]-200) and index.

ISBN:

1557501874

OCLC:

43599029