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The Modern Library Exploration series edited by Jon Krakauer has what are some of the
best books on the topic of exploration. GREAT EXPLORATION HOAXES is the newest in a series
that has already contained such titles as THE BRENDAN VOYAGE by Tim Severin and THE
MOUNTAINS OF MY LIFE by Walter Bonatti.
In GREAT EXPLORATION HOAXES (originally published in 1982) David Roberts takes a close
look at the motivation behind the altering of facts of some of the greatest achievements
by some of the world's greatest explorers. The very idea that Admiral Byrd was not the
first one to actually fly over the true North Pole is unthinkable. He had miscalculated
his destination, something of which he was well aware, but did he turn down the fame for
the accomplishment? Absolutely not. So, why would he play such a hoax on the world?
The idea that there have been some less than truthful tellings of these adventures was at
first surprising. I had always believed that these great men were above such things. To my
way of thinking, a hoax was a sort of joke, and in the end, they would admit the error. In
fact, most of them did, but only in their private papers. In GREAT EXPLORATION HOAXES,
David Roberts delves into the psychology of these explorers and presents some credible
reasons for their behavior.
If you are curious about what makes a person set out against all odds of success on an
expedition to discover new places --- or just for the sake of being the first one there
--- GREAT EXPLORATION HOAXES is an excellent place to start. The complex personalities
that have taken such journeys are rare and exciting individuals, no matter what their
quest may have been. Climb the highest mountain, travel the longest river, sail into the
unknown --- it takes a brave man to even think of such an idea. Perhaps even if the goal
is not fully attained, they deserve the credit anyway.
--- Reviewed by Dave Taylor
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