'Why were people drawn to towards the coldest place on earth? This rich and wonderfully well-researched book brings all the answers. It's a tale both heroic and tragic as Michael Smith charts man's inspiring and relentless determination to return time and again to the most hostile conditions on the planet.'
-- Michael Palin, writer, actor, presenter
'Rich in detail, yet highly accessible, it is an ideal guide for both dedicated polar history enthusiasts and readers discovering this extraordinary history for the first time.'
-- Geir O. Klover, Director, Fram Museum, Norway
'Our family is indebted to Michael Smith for An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean which was the catalyst for highlighting the heroic exploits of our grandfather in manner that made it accessible to people across the world.'
-- Enda Crean O'Brien, grandson of Tom Crean
'Polar history at its very best, richly researched and vividly told. Nobody combines polar scholarship and storytelling as effectively as Michael Smith. I know a good book when I see it and this is a great book!'
-- Mensun Bound, author of
The Ship Beneath the Ice and Director of Exploration Endurance Discovery Expedition