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The Stowaway: A Young Man's Extraordinary Adventure to Antarctica
by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
Billy Gawronski had one interesting life. This story isn't just about his adventure to Antarctica, it's a biography, but it's also a trip back in time. Laurie Gwen Shapiro gives us a wonderful look at what life was like in New York City as the son of an immigrant in the 1920s and into the Great Depression. These glimpses were the parts of the story that interested me the most, though his exploits to stow away, his seafaring trips, and his time in Antarctica with the famous Commander Byrd were entertaining as well. One of the most intriguing episodes in this tale was after he stowed away, he was caught and sent back to his parents. I though to myself, this can't be right, how did he make it to Antarctica if he was caught? Turns out, he tried it again. And again! It wasn't until he was caught the third time that he actually was welcomed aboard one of the expedition vessels as part of the crew, and only after his father had given permission. And so his legitimate, and highly publicized, adventure to Antarctica begins. A wonderful unknown story of an ordinary, young man from New York who led a remarkably extraordinary life.