In Barrow's Boys Fergus Fleming takes us on an incisive and witty journey through the landmark years of British exploration from 1816 to 1850, marveling at both the bravery and the stupidity involved. This all changed in the 1970s with the publication of Roland Huntford's magnificent biography of Scott and Amundsen, now called The Last Place on Earth, in which he systematically and methodically revealed the levels of incompetence and arrogance with which Scott's expedition was riddled. It is easy to see how for a long time the lives of the polar explorers were shrouded in quasi-mystical and heroic terms. They are the most powerful symbols we have left of a world where human-made laws and values count for nothing no one conquers the frozen wastelands-they merely learn to live by the rules nature dictates. Barrow’s Boys is also in Book Lust To Go in the chapter called “Explorers” (p 83).There's something about the overwhelming emptiness and terrifying beauty of the polar regions that never fails to attract. Book Lust contains Barrow’s Boys in two different places: in the chapter called “Adventure By the Book: Nonfiction” (p 8) and again in chapter “Here Be Dragons: the Great Explorers and Expeditions” (p 110). She calls it “enthralling (p 83).īookLust Twist: from a bunch of places. She then goes on to say (in Book Lust To Go) Fleming’s biography is one of her favorites. Nancy said: Pearl said in Book Lust that Fleming was chatty, entertaining, and historically accurate. Barrow’s Boys also includes two sections of black and white photographs. Each one is dedicated to a different expedition. As an aside, I think he looks like Liam Neelson.īook trivia: Barrow’s Boys includes maps. He has worked as a furniture maker and an editor. He trained to be an accountant and a barrister in London, England. Using elite naval officers Barrow put together a string of ambitious expeditions that spanned the world.Īuthor fact: Fleming is one of those jack of all trades kind of guy. What was out there? As Second Secretary to the Admiralty in 1816 Barrow was aware of these unanswered questions. I was excited to finally read Barrow’s Boys as Fergus promised a plethora of primary sources – the best kind when reading about adventure that involves exploration, danger, and cannibalism! In times of peace, what better use of the navy than to go exploring? The burning question of the day was where did the river Niger go? When that expedition initially failed John Barrow started a second expedition, setting his sights on the Northwest Passage and Antarctica. Reason read: February is Exploration Month. Barrow’s Boys: New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998.
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