An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor
Author(s): Michael Smith
One hundred years ago, in March 1909, Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition came home safely. When Scott heard the news, he immediately contacted Tom Crean with the intention of planning his own adventure. And thus the Terra Nova Expedition was born. The remarkable Tom Crean ran away to sea aged fifteen and spent more time in the unexplored Antarctic than Scott or Shackleton, and was one of the few to serve and outlive both. Michael Smith's original biography of this enigmatic figure spawned a Guinness ad, a one-man play that is still touring today and a children's version of the Ice Man which has been chosen as the 'One Book' for literacy groups in Cork and Limerick. Tom's story continues to fascinate people because of his extraordinary feats of survival, his bravery and his dedication to his comrades. At the end of his expedition days, Tom came home to Ireland, married and built a pub, the South Pole Inn, in Annascaul, County Kerry. He was an ordinary man who did incredible things, a modest man who became a hero. An unforgettable story of triumph over unparalleled hardship and deprivation.
Product Information
A remarkable book about a remarkable man. Sunday Tribune Michael Smith has written a splendid biography. The Nautical Magazine The epic struggles, heroics and the unbelievable hardships of the voyages are wonderfully told. The Irish Times A must for anyone interested in polar exploration. County Examiner Wonderful Kiplingesque yarn about a great Irishman who didn't have to die to become a hero. Irish Independent Chosen by Aviva Stadium Director Martin Murphy as his favourite book - Sunday Times
Michael Smith, a former journalist, is an established authority on Polar exploration. His other books are I Am Just Going Outside, a biography of Captain Oates (2002), Polar Crusader about Sir James Wordie (2004), Tom Crean - An Illustrated Life (2006) and Captain Francis Crozier - Last Man Standing? (2006). Michael has also written two books for children, Tom Crean - Ice Man and Shackleton - The Boss. He contributes to TV and radio documentaries and lectures on Polar history.
Acknowledgements 7 Preface 11 A farmer's lad 15 A chance meeting 23 Into the unknown 35 A home on the ice 45 Into the wilderness 55 South again 69 South in a hurricane 81 Hopes and plans 99 The last great land journey 107 A race for life 125 A tragedy foretold 149 Fatal choice 157 A grim search 165 A hero honoured 177 The ice beckons 185 Trapped 199 Cast adrift 211 Launch the boats! 225 A fragile hold on life 235 An epic journey 245 Crossing South Georgia 257 Beyond belief 275 Return to Elephant Island 281 Life and death 291 War, honour, marriage 297 Tom the Pole 305 Memories 317 Endnotes 321 Bibliography 331 Index 337
General Fields
- :
- : The Collins Press
- : The Collins Press
- : 0.397
- : 01 February 2009
- : 230mm X 200mm X 28mm
- : Ireland
- : books
Special Fields
- : Michael Smith
- : Paperback
- : Paperback
- : 910.92
- : 910.92
- : 340
- : 340
- : b&w photos, maps
- : b&w photos, maps