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GERLACHE De GOMERY, Adrien

Voyage of the Beliga- Fifteen Months in the Antarctic.

The Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-9 was the most cosmopolitan of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. Led by Lt. Adrein De Gerlache of the Royal Belgian Navy it was underfunded from the start and ill-prepared to overwinter in the ice pack. Despite being stuck in the ice for almost a year the ship survived without serious damage. The mixture of nationalities - Belgian, Polish, Norwegian, American, Rumanian, Russian - ensured that communication was always a problem and this was exacerbated when they were all trapped inside the cold damp, ship in winter. That it ended well was largely due to just four men, the American doctor, Fredrick Cook, the Norwegian second mate, Roald Amundsen, the Belgian first mate, George Lecointe and De Gerlache himself. The earliest known photographs of Antartica were taken during this expedition. Originally the only account in English of this first over-wintering in the Antarctic was that published by Cook in 1900. Now, at last, the leader's account, originally published in French in 1902, has been translated into English. The book has a new foreword by Baron Gaston de Gerlache de Gomery, the son of Adrien, and an extensive account of the background of the expedition by the translator, Dr Maurice Raraty.
(This from Bluntisham Books)
A 1998 edition published by Bluntisham.

GRAN, Tryggve.

The Norwegian With Scott; Tryggve Gran's Antarctic Diary 1910-1913

Gran was a 21yr old ski expert when he joined Scott's expedition. His story is told in diary form and lacks emotional and critical comments. It would have been very interesting to know what this man was really thinking. He must have at times felt very much an outsider. The book however, is an important primary source. Originally published in Norwegian in 1915. Edited by Geoffrey Hattersly-Smith published 1984 HMSO.

GREGOR, G.C.

Swansea's Antarctic Explorer

Although Captain Scott's ill-fated expedition sailed from Cardiff, the Welshman who stood at the South Pole has received scant attention. Cary Gregor seeks to redress the balance in this study of Petty Officer Edgar Evans, born in Gower and brought up in Swansea. Published 1995 by Swansea City Council. Story of Chief Petty Officer Edgar Evans.

GURNEY, Alan

Below the Convergence: Voyages towards Antarctica.

I picked up this book with a feeling of having read it all before. How wrong I was, this is a very good, well written book. It particularly covers the earlier explorers and the affect the seal hunters had on the Antarctic. Its strength lies in the breath of investigation which is transferred to these pages in a easy to read manner. A book well worth reading. Published 1997 by Pimlico/Norton.

The Race to the White Continent: Voyages to the Antarctic.

The second book by Gurney follows on from 'Below the Convergence'. It concentrates on a ten year period from 1830. This decade saw three government expeditions - French, American and British. The leaders of each risked their lives for the glory of exploration. This is another good book this author and would be a worthy addition to Antarctic bookshelves. Published 2000 by Norton

GWYNN, Stephen.

CAPTAIN SCOTT

Hardcover First Edition in pictorially embossed blue cloth cover, published by John Lane The Bodley Head, London in 1929.
Tells the story of Captain Scott including his childhood, the voyage of the "Discovery" as well as his doomed last trip. The book also contains a number of his letters from on board ship as well as several black and white photographs.
Fairly common book - worth £5