The Navigator of New York : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Another Canadian disappointment
Review: I chose to read this book based on it's wonderful reviews. Perhaps my expectations were a bit too high. While I enjoyed the exploration adventure of the story, the poorly veiled "intrigue" did nothing for me. Each time the story was becoming unbearably boring, new, previously unrevealed information would be unveiled by the superficial Dr. Cook. I made myself finish this book, but was extremely disappointed by the ending, which after a long struggle through, culminated in about 20 pages. Good thing I got this for free....

Rating:
Summary: Great read!
Review: I enjoyed this book. I loved the flow of the story. He did a wonderful job in developing the Dr. Cook character to be likeable although many of his actions were unlikeable. I thought this book was the best book that I have read so far this year. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books with some suspense.

Rating:
Summary: an excellent reconstruction
Review: Johnston's latest novel is an excellent reconstruction of the era of the great explorers -- with all its back-biting and egotism -- as well as a very fine description of New York as it turns into a world capital. Add to that is usual sensitive account of small town Canada and you get a wide-ranging, subtle and fascinating taleof hope and loss. recommended

Rating:
Summary: Somebody doesn't think much of Mr. Peary....
Review: Some of the reviews here have been focussing on this book as a "revisionist history" re Peary and Arctic exploration, but that part of this book is secondary. The real focus of the book is Devlin Stead's life and discoveries about his family, whose story changes through several revelations throughout the book (maybe too many times would be one criticism of this book). Generally well-written and a good description of turn of the (20th) century New York and pre-Canada Newfoundland, recommended if you like a good historical read.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in a long time
Review: Some of the reviews here have been focussing on this book as a "revisionist history" re Peary and Arctic exploration, but that part of this book is secondary. The real focus of the book is Devlin Stead's life and discoveries about his family, whose story changes through several revelations throughout the book (maybe too many times would be one criticism of this book). Generally well-written and a good description of turn of the (20th) century New York and pre-Canada Newfoundland, recommended if you like a good historical read.

Rating:
Summary: Upside down history with a vengeance
Review: The anti-Peary and anti-Henson vendetta will spare no expense of time, money or effort to advance their agenda. I'd compare this effort to a novel in which Hitler is the hero and Patton is shown to be a frightened little wimp, so worthless that we end up cheering on Adolph. If seeing history's heros, who made tremendous physical sacrifices, demeaned as if buffoons is your cup of tea then this is your kind of reading. Bravo to Random House for putting this one in print, eh?

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written, but....
Review: The book captivated me early on with its historical setting. It's beautifully written, a joy to spend time with. Unfortunately, I feel that the story could have unfolded differently.

The main aspects of the story are young Stead trying to navigate late Victorian uptight society while discovering various aspects of his infamous explorer family, and the attempt to be the first person to the North Pole. The exploration stories play out well, and one wishes even more time had been spent on them. Nonetheless, he is nothing but a passenger on these explorations, and is taught none of the vital technical skills required for navigation and discovery.

The family story is essentially the meat of it, yet it ends up being told in a clumsy matter....how he can still trust his father by the end is unfathomable. There seem to be these soap-opera revelatory moments when yet another confession changes everything. Some detective work or other means of discovery might have been more interesting. Very regularly Stead is confronted with yet another true version or account of the same story. His social skills develop much more quickly than his exploration skills, even for a humorless, self-conscious and charmless character like him and his father.

Ultimately, the story was not satisfying, but it was written well enough that I would recommend it anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Upside down fantasy history
Review: This fictionalized version of the Cook debacle is exactly what congressman S. D. Fess was talking about in 1915. He said then, before congress "A group of people, some of them innocent and misled and others not classifiable in polite terms, have been busily engaged in trying to filch from Peary the credit due him as discoverer of the North Pole in the interests of Dr. Cook. Most Americans supposed that the Cook issue died a natural death years ago. The time will undoubtedly come when... the activities of this man and the press of the country will ultimately do its part against the circulation of perversions of history with respect to the great feat that Admiral Peary achieved, an honor of which through all future ages no nation can rob us."

Fess would undoubtably kick about in the grave to read this novel! As unbelievable as it seems, some people are still back in 1915 "filching" from Peary. If that is your cup of tea, this is your kind of history-fiction.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Piece of Historical Fiction
Review: This is a great book for those who like a sense of time and place. It was interesting to read Wayne Johnston's take on those infamous explorers Cook and Peary and their rivalry. It is still being debated today who got there first if at all. I was surprised that this book was not mainly about exploration but focused more on a young man's relationship with his father and about how who he thinks he is often defines how he behaves. I found this book to be little too melodramatic at times but I enjoyed the sense of time and place and the style in which it was written. I'd give it 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel
Review: very well written and researched story. the relationship that develops between devlin stead (the protaganist) and his benefactor Dr. cook is unique and fascinating. sadly, i think some reviewers on this site have missed the point; the sections of the book devoted to polar exploration are compelling, but they are framework for a more compelling story about relationships. If you enjoy this sort of story i highly recommend his earlier memoir baltimore's mansion.