1978 Stefansson and the Canadian Arctic

Description

First Edition, Illustrated, Publishers' Original Binding, Signed, With Dustwrapper

The first edition 1978 of this volume on Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Canada's most controversial and arguably greatest arctic explorer.

In 1918, after suffering an almost fatal bout of typhoid fever and pneumonia, Stefansson ceased his explorations and started a career as a writer and lecturer. The real controversy was fuelled by Stefansson encouraging and organising an expedition for four young men to colonise Wrangel Island in north Siberia who, due to inexperience and inappropriate equipment, all perished. The only survivor was Ada Blackjack, a Inuk woman taken with them as a cook who had strong survival skills, and the expedition cat. Blackjack wasn't rescued until 1923.

This book focuses on Stefansson's ideas and methods and his relationships with politicians, businessmen and associates, trying to understand what caused his misfortune and giving an analysis on the fiasco that was Wrangel Island. 

Signed by author.

Complete with thirteen illustrations, five maps and two charts.

With unclipped dustwrapper.