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'In Flaws in the Ice, prize-winning historian David Day searches for the real Douglas Mawson. After travelling south on his own six-week odyssey to the Antarctic, the author answers the difficult questions about Mawson that have hitherto lain buried - from questions about his intimate relationship with Lady Scott, and his leadership of the ill-fated Australiasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14, to his conduct during the legendary trek that led to the death of his two companions. He also explores how Mawson subsequently concealed his failures and deficiencies as an expedition leader, and created for himself a heroic image that has persisted for a century.
'For many decades, there has been only one published, first-hand account of the expedition - the one written and orchestrated by Mawson himself. Only recently have alternative accounts become publicly available. The most important of these is the long-suppressed diary of Mawson's deputy, Cecil Madigan, who is scathing in his criticisms of Mawson's abilities, achievements, and character. At the same time, other accounts have appeared from leading members of the expedition that also challenge Mawson's official story.
'In this compelling and revealing new book, David Day draws upon all this new evidence, as well as on the vast research he undertook for his international history of Antarctica, and on his own experience of sailing to the Antarctic coastline where Mawson's reputation was first created. Flaws in the Ice will change perceptions of Douglas Mawson forever.' (Publisher's blurb)
Notes
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Dedication: To the members of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, who went in search of a continent and found themselves.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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y
The Crevasse : A Critical Response to Flaws in the Ice, by Prize-winning Historian David Day
United Kingdom (UK)
:
Erskine Press
,
2015
9102797
2015
single work
criticism
'Sir Douglas Mawson's reputation as one of the great Antarctic explorers of the "Heroic Age" has been questioned recently. But are the critics right?
'This is an examination of recent criticisms from Dr David Day concerning Mawson and the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914. Drawing on evidence from expedition diaries and numerous sources, Karyn Maguire Bradford presents alternative conclusions.' (Publication summary)
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A World Without Books – Or Kindle? Words Simply Fail Me
2013
single work
column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 17 November vol. 17 November no. 2013; (p. 86) -
Hero Tag Put on Ice
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 7 December 2013; (p. 30)
— Review of Flaws in the Ice : In Search of Douglas Mawson 2013 single work biography -
A Truth That is Very Hard to Stomach
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 16 November 2013; (p. 20-21)
— Review of Flaws in the Ice : In Search of Douglas Mawson 2013 single work biography -
rCold-Eyed Recasting of Antarctic Hero
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 2-3 November 2013; (p. 21)
— Review of Flaws in the Ice : In Search of Douglas Mawson 2013 single work biography
-
rCold-Eyed Recasting of Antarctic Hero
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 2-3 November 2013; (p. 21)
— Review of Flaws in the Ice : In Search of Douglas Mawson 2013 single work biography -
A Truth That is Very Hard to Stomach
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 16 November 2013; (p. 20-21)
— Review of Flaws in the Ice : In Search of Douglas Mawson 2013 single work biography -
Hero Tag Put on Ice
2013
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 7 December 2013; (p. 30)
— Review of Flaws in the Ice : In Search of Douglas Mawson 2013 single work biography -
Mawson Starved Companion to Survive, Author Claims
2013
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 26-27 October 2013; (p. 5) The Age , 26 October 2013; (p. 1) -
Letters 'Reveal Mad Summer of Love' Between Mawson and Scott's Widow
2013
single work
column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 26-27 October 2013; (p. 3) -
A World Without Books – Or Kindle? Words Simply Fail Me
2013
single work
column
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 17 November vol. 17 November no. 2013; (p. 86) -
y
The Crevasse : A Critical Response to Flaws in the Ice, by Prize-winning Historian David Day
United Kingdom (UK)
:
Erskine Press
,
2015
9102797
2015
single work
criticism
'Sir Douglas Mawson's reputation as one of the great Antarctic explorers of the "Heroic Age" has been questioned recently. But are the critics right?
'This is an examination of recent criticisms from Dr David Day concerning Mawson and the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914. Drawing on evidence from expedition diaries and numerous sources, Karyn Maguire Bradford presents alternative conclusions.' (Publication summary)