Cold currents

Tracking the ebb and flow of knowledge

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  • Published 20220503
  • ISBN: 978-1-922212-74-0
  • Extent: 264pp
  • Paperback (234 x 153mm), eBook

WHEN ROBERT FALCON Scott reached the South Pole on 17 January 1912, he immediately knew he had been beaten. The first sign was a black flag whipping in the wind; the second was the green tent of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen standing dark against the snow. Ducking inside, Scott found it empty aside from two letters: one addressed to the King of Norway, announcing Amundsen’s successful arrival at the pole a full month prior, and one addressed to Scott, asking if he could please post the letter to the king on his way out.

‘A note from Amundsen, which I keep, asks me to forward a letter to King Haakon!’ Scott exclaimed in his journal.

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About the author

Lauren Fuge

Lauren Fuge is a science writer, currently undertaking a PhD in creative writing exploring narratives of climate change. She was previously a journalist at...

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