Books and Reviews-Heroes All: Race To The Pole

                                                 Heroes All: Race to the Pole  

                                                   An Antarctic Tale by Dennis Schenborn      

                                                      Available on Amazon January 2023 

Dennis Schenborn who wintered over at McMurdo Station as a civilian during Deep Freeze 74.has walked in the footsteps of both Scott and Amundsen and is a recipient of the U.S. Antarctic Service Medal.  He survived a winter in Antarctica, has traveled by dog sledge, and man-hauled sledges across the ice.  His experiences include sleepless nights shivering in a tent at -55ºF at Cape Evans on Ross Island.  This novel is the result of his decades-long search of expedition journals and first-person accounts to understand what happened on both expeditions to the Pole.  His research for the novel included a word-by-word transcription of Scott’s handwritten journals to identify the deletions, substitutions, and additions found in published versions of his journal.  It is history written in the form of an epic adventure story. 

In 1912, Roald Amundsen and R. F. Scott raced to discover the South Pole.  One man won and survived to tell his tale; the other perished on the snows of the Barrier and became a legend.  This is the story of how that happened.

 The heroic tales of both men are revealed at last in a novel where actual events and historical figures are imbedded in a driving plot that pits man against nature in a desperate attempt to survive the brutality Antarctica.  Their goal; reach the Pole and return with the news first

 The legend of Scott’s heroic struggle against Antarctic ice and weather was written even before the men who lived it with him and survived could step ashore to tell their own tales of struggle and triumph.  The carefully controlled newspaper publication of Scott’s story and his compelling last journal entry, “we are getting weaker of course and the end cannot be far”, created a sweeping wave of grief throughout the British Empire.  It was a story with one tragic hero.  This historically accurate novel explores Scott’s tragedy and reveals the equally heroic stories of the men who survived his last expedition.

 The story is told from multiple perspectives based on journal entries from the actual characters.  Wilson is Scott’s friend and confidant.  The enigmatic Meares considers Scott grossly incompetent and refuses to suppress his hatred.  The taciturn Oates criticizes Scott in letters but soldiers onward to his doom.  Bowers is utterly loyal to Scott and almost sycophantic in the letters to his mother.  The bookish and introspective Cherry is an objective participant in critical events during the expedition yet conflicted by his admiration for Scott.  Dr. Atkinson is torn between his duty as a physician and his unforeseen ascent to leadership of the entire expedition.  The saga of Campbell’s team of six men marooned on what they named Inexpressible Island is rarely included in any account of Scott’s last expedition – and for good reason.  There were also heroes among them. 

                                                       Praise for “Heroes All: Race to the Pole”

 Bill Lokey; 3 Winter-overs

“It gave me flash-backs! A fascinating read that enhanced my knowledge of that remarkable time.  I’ve survived three Antarctic winters and I considered myself well-read in Antarctic history.  Schenborn’s handiwork gave me an evocative new look at this amazing group of explorers HEROES ALL!” 

 Steve Grabacki; W/O 1974

“I am astonished by the real story of Scott and Amundsen. The story has waited decades to be told.  This is, by far, the best Antarctic saga that I have ever read – thoroughly researched, meticulously organized, and comprehensive in its scope. The portrayal of the men and their individual psychologies is amazing.  Written by a man who was there.” 

 Roy McCammon; W/O 1974

“It gave me chills.  Enjoyed it completely.  Heroes All is filled with fascinating details.  The author’s personal Antarctic experience with the terror of a forced march across the ice in extreme conditions makes him well qualified to write this adventure story and the world deserves a chance to read it.”