The Heart of the Great Alone: Scott, Shackleton, and Antarctic Photography

This is a nice, large book with excellent reproductions of famous photos taken on the Scott and Shackleton Antarctic expeditions. Several of the photos are enlarged so that you can really see details, for instance, the crestfallen and doomed look on Scott's face in the famous photo of the Polar party after discovering that Amundsen has beaten them. There are numerous photos in this collection that I have never before seen, and I have read nearly 20 books on South Polar voyages. Moreover, there are photos of the Union Jacks that Scott and Shackleton carried with them, the telegram that Shackleton sent to the King of England after achieving the Furthest South, copies of the South Polar Times, and other interesting memorabilia. Most poignantly, perhaps, there are reproductions of two sketches done by Dr. Wilson of the black flags that Amundsen's party erected to encircle the pole and to show Scott they had beaten him.The only drawback to this excellent book is the text, some of which is written by a modern explorer who cannot stop intruding himself into the story, and other articles that do not contribute much. Buy this book for the photos, not the text.

In January 2012, I stumbled upon the most marvellous collection of photographs from the early era of Antarctic exploration online. These silver bromide photos were shown at their best glowing on screen and absolutely took my breath away with their beauty as photographs and also as a record of what it was like to be there. It took me a while to find this book, which contains many of these wonderful photos - a paperback version was sold at the exhibition - and I was rewarded with so much more. It is so well written and informative, even to those of us who think we know these stories by heart.The title of this book is from the book written later by one of these photographers, Herbert Ponting and is so apt for introducing us to this frozen wilderness. It is well captured both in the photos and also by David Hempleman-Adams in his text.I recommend this book to anyone interested in the Antarctic adventures of one hundred years ago, written by a man who has been there himself. With the generous help of the Royal Collection of photos and mementos, he has fleshed out a most interesting book. But also I recommend it for those wonderful photos at the heart of the book to anyone with a love of beauty.

Too bad he did not get credit until 100 years later.Of course the reason is that while he was saving his crew down under,in Europe millions were being slaughtered by running into machine fireby our stupid general instead of hiding and seeking cover. Although I knowthat because of the incessant artillery fire mowing down trees there wasno cover. a sad part of our history.A great story about survival. Not too many people today could surviveunder the same conditions.Jim.

The selection of Antarctic photos, and over-sized reproductions, is marvelous. One can't help but marvel at the quality of the photographs, taken with rather primitive technology and somehow preserved under incredible conditions. For anyone interested in the expeditions and their photographers, a wonderful volume.

If you are a follower of Scott and Shackleton's antarctic journeys and challenges, this is a great book to view the photographic realities of the stories you have read. Once I saw these photos in an exhibit in Christchurch NZ I knew I had to have the book which captures those photos. I have not been disappointed and the pictures return me to my reading of the stories and to the Museum's exhibit.

Beautiful book! Great value too! Extraordinary History!!

Fascinating book about fascinating subject, with fascinating archival photos, at a very reasonable price. If you are an Antartic explorer at heart, you will enjoy this book.

Wonderful book with the great Antarctic photos of Herbert Ponting and Frank Hurley. They don't make them like that anymore!

I cannot recommend this book enough. It's full of beautifuls, never before seen photographs of the Antarctic and those heroics Englishmen who explored it.Frank Hurley and Herbert Ponting's best work all in one suberb book.Don't hesitate, get it.

This book is published to coincide with the exhibitions of the Antarctic photography of Herbert Ponting and Douglas Hurley (respectively photographers to Scott's last expedition and Shackleton's Transantarctic expedition) at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace. I had forgotten that both expeditions presented the then King (George V) with complete albums of their photographs, but what magnificent photos they are.Ponting always described himself as a "Camera Artist" and his work fully supports that description, many a modern photographer would do well to study his photographs. Hurley was more of a documentary photographer, and was further handicapped by the disaster that overtook the Expedition and the loss of many of his negatives. Even so, his work that survived is of a sterling quality.My advice, go to the Exhibition and buy the book, if you are at all interested in photography, you will not be disappointed.

I bought this used as I found a free print that I had got when this book was first issued. I must say that the photos are superb and the main reason for getting it. For what I paid for this book it was an absolute bargain.

The adventures and achievements of the great explorers have fascinated me for well over 50 years, and I have read many publications. However, since learning about the existence of "The Heart of the Great Alone", I have wanted to purchase the book. Buying it new was not within my financial means, so I jumped at the chance of buying a used product. It is the best purchase I have made in my lifetime. The photography is out of this world, I can't recommend the book highly enough.

Well worth the money and well worth reading. The photography and writing provokes the imagination.