The first authorized biography of the antarctic explorer who gave us the greatest classic of polar literatureIn February 1912; Apsley Cherry-Garrard drove a team of dogs 150 miles to a desolate outpost on Antarctica’s rough ice shelf to meet Robert Falcon Scott and his men; who were expected to return victor-ious any day from their epic race to the South Pole. Winter was closing in; and Cherry was handicapped by brutal temperatures and diminishing light. Less than two weeks later; three dying men pitched their tent for the last time just twelve miles to the south. One was Captain Scott; the leader of the expedition. The other two; Birdie Bowers and Bill Wilson; were the closest friends Cherry had ever had. Ten months later; once the polar winter had released them from captivity; Cherry and his search party found the tent; piled with snow and pinned to the ice by his friends’ corpses. It was a tragedy that would rever-berate around the world and inspire Cherry to write his masterpiece; The Worst Journey in the World; which recently topped National Geographic’s list of the 100 greatest adventure books of all time.Cherry discovered in his writing a means to work out his grief and anger; but in life these doubts and fears proved far harder to quell. As the years progressed; he struggled against depression; breakdown; and despair; and was haunted by the possibility that he alone had had the opportunity to save Scott and his friends. Sara Wheeler’s Cherry is the first biography of this soul-searching explorer; written with unrestricted access to his papers and the full cooperation of his widow—who has refused all requests until now. Wheeler’s biography brings to life this great hero of Antarctic exploration and gives us a glimpse of the terrible human cost of his adventures.
#38076 in Books Saidiya Hartman 2008-01-22 2008-01-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.23 x .83 x 5.48l; .72 #File Name: 0374531153288 pagesLose Your Mother A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Africa is my DNABy ]A__I don't know where to start. I accept that I am African. Its my DNA. Its my genetics. Its why I have a high risk of sickle cell; high blood pressure; ect. Its why I have kinky hair. Its why I am made for the sun. I've felt so lost and confused. Presently; I despise the hyphenated American attached to my African. Why? Because I feel mistreated. I see my people getting robbed of life and no convictions. We have the same issues here or anywhere in the world. You can argue with another person over what side of the city they live on. Or debate with a Native American over whos history was the worst. Its no different then our brothers and sisters on the Continent. Its hard for us to comprehend that they will not get it. Nor will we get their pain. Maybe an understanding or tolerance but its life. You were blessed to return to the Continent. Although you visited other neighboring countries; I felt like Africa was being seen as a country and not an actual Continent where millions of variois ethnic groups; cultures; and way of life of people. Its not fair to generalize. Its so sad that so called "Black America" is still having identity issues. You made the DNA testing sound as if it was useless. I know for a fact people have discovered their biological parents; siblings; and yes even their families on the Continent. Whos to say you even descended from Ghanians or the next? If you do fine; but now all of us do. Some of us coule be Nigerian; Senegalese; Congo.. and more. To me; Ghana has gotten much better. Its a win win situation for all. I'd say... its like hey let me promote unity and tourism and I'll help you dual citizenship (Right to Abode) as well as affordable land and more to start your own businesses. Lets not act like countries were built on everyone being gentle and simpled minded. Maybe its the hustler in me. As long as you don't harm me; we are good. In fact; the African Caribeans were recently granted Ghanian Citizeship. So it must not be that bad. I'm seeing younger and younger going to Ghana. There is also more countries to experience. You may not like Ghana.. but you may love Congo or something. Thank you so much for writing this book. I learned a lot and I am grateful. You know if we can call someone Asian or realize that Whites proudly boast about being European (celebrating Irish heritage); and even having the world speaking European languages (English and Spanish) due to their colonization and supremacy to divide and conquer... we must not be Anti-African. Its sad.. and its due to self-hate in our communities. You are so quick to call yourself a social constructed label to separate yourselves from being African. I'm talking to who ever reads this. There is nothing wrong with having your cultures.. but be real with yourselves. Stop denying being African. Thats your genetics. You can't change that based off a "race" aka color and a nationality aka geography. Blessings to all. If you want to look for your Continental families. Definitely try Ancestry; 23andMe; FTDNA; and upload to GED match. There is a google chrome scanner for Ancestry to even create an excel for you to find them. They would love to get to know you. Look at the reunion videos online. Join the DNA african descendants FB group and watch your heart opens up even more for your beautiful African selves.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent readBy Ross CockfieldSaidiya weaves a compelling story of the search for one's identity while trying to make sense of the horrors of the slave trade. Her vivid descriptions of the infamous slave castles; combined with a uncanny ability to put you in chains with the slaves waiting for the slavers; create vivid mental images that simultaneously make you want to put the book down and keep reading. Her material is well researched and moves you back and forth from the present to the past to the present; all within the context of a search we all need to take.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. If you're African-centered; you will be disappointedBy Essence M. McDowellWell written but it is to me in content a book written by someone who had lost her perspective to a white-washed ideological understanding of her cultural background. My stars aren't for whether the book is beautiful in words but I'm disappointed with the story.
