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casparb's review
this is really good, Nansen's own account of his polar expedition which went alarmingly well, in part due to his understanding that one should plan and prepare for such things, a principle the British & americans hadn't yet grasped. Survives translation very nicely, you're in for a real visceral experience, fear of the walrus.
what really struck me here was the FOOD. I think we imagine these expeditions sustaining themselves on misery, snow, and dried reindeer. No, the Fram was gourmet. par exemple
"The menu was as follows: Minced fish with curried lobster, melted butter, and potatoes; music; pork cutlets, with green pease; potatoes, mango chutney, and Worcester sauce; music, apricots and custard, with cream; much music. After this a siesta; then coffee, currants, figs, cakes; and the photographer stood cigars. Great enthusiasm, then more siesta. After supper the violinist, Mogstad, gave a recital, when refreshments were served in the shape of figs, sweetmeats, apricots, and gingerbread (honey cakes). "
"fried halibut, turtle, pork chops, with haricot beans and green pease, plum-pudding (real burning plum-pudding for the first time) with custard sauce, and wound up with strawberries. As usual, the beverages consisted of wine (that is to say, lime-juice, with water and sugar) and Crown malt extract. I fear there was a general overtaxing of the digestive apparatus. After dinner, coffee and honey-cakes, with which Nordahl stood cigarettes."
I was kind of touched, unexpectedly.
what really struck me here was the FOOD. I think we imagine these expeditions sustaining themselves on misery, snow, and dried reindeer. No, the Fram was gourmet. par exemple
"The menu was as follows: Minced fish with curried lobster, melted butter, and potatoes; music; pork cutlets, with green pease; potatoes, mango chutney, and Worcester sauce; music, apricots and custard, with cream; much music. After this a siesta; then coffee, currants, figs, cakes; and the photographer stood cigars. Great enthusiasm, then more siesta. After supper the violinist, Mogstad, gave a recital, when refreshments were served in the shape of figs, sweetmeats, apricots, and gingerbread (honey cakes). "
"fried halibut, turtle, pork chops, with haricot beans and green pease, plum-pudding (real burning plum-pudding for the first time) with custard sauce, and wound up with strawberries. As usual, the beverages consisted of wine (that is to say, lime-juice, with water and sugar) and Crown malt extract. I fear there was a general overtaxing of the digestive apparatus. After dinner, coffee and honey-cakes, with which Nordahl stood cigarettes."
I was kind of touched, unexpectedly.
lyndsaybh's review against another edition
3.0
By and large this was enjoyable, but I really found the treatment of the dogs to be upsetting, as well as the (frequent) depictions of polar bear hunting. At least Nansen was honest about how the dogs were treated, and had the decency to express regret about it. I understand that this was largely by necessity but it really took away from my enjoyment of the book. It was at times fairly tedious as well, with many descriptions of the northern lights and ice that were well-written but repetitive.
tscott71's review
4.0
Epic and sometimes tedious, this story never lost my interest. For those interested in the arctic specifically or exploration in general, this book does not disappoint.
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