The Polar Passion: The Quest for the North Pole (Top of the World Trilogy, Vol 2)

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Summary: Formidable history of Arctic exploration
Review: This is the second volume of the "Top of the World" trilogy by Canadian writer Farley Mowat. In this formidable historical series, Mowat retraces the steps of the early explorers into Canada's northern realms. Volume one, "Ordeal by Ice" told us of some of the earliest expeditions into Hudson's Bay and of the difficulties faced by inexperienced men in ill-equipped ships. Indeed, those who set out were frequently never heard from again and their stories have been pieced together, often many years later, by the discovery of diaries under rocky cairns and from information gleaned from Eskimos who came across the men at some stage during their struggles. The stories are quite fantastic and there is an atmosphere of outlandish adventure throughout these books, making them difficult to put down. Volume two, "The Polar Passion," recounts the fascination exerted by the idea of reaching the North Pole, and the results of some of the early expeditions. Drawing from primary sources, Mowat lets the expedition members tell the story themselves, as much as possible. He contents himself with drawing them all together and setting them against an historical background that allows us to have a wider perspective of the events. It has obviously been a long labour of love for Mowat and I feel as though a considerable debt is owing to him, for having made this material available to us in such a readable and coherent form.