A Negro Explorer at the North Pole (1912) is a memoir by Matthew Henson. Published a few years following an expedition to the planet's northernmost point--which he claims to have reached first-- A Negro Explorer at the North Pole reflects on Henson's outsized role in ensuring the success of their mission. Although he was frequently overshadowed by Commander Robert Peary, Henson continues to be recognized as a pioneering African American who rose from poverty to become a true national hero. Seven times had Robert Peary and ...
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A Negro Explorer at the North Pole (1912) is a memoir by Matthew Henson. Published a few years following an expedition to the planet's northernmost point--which he claims to have reached first-- A Negro Explorer at the North Pole reflects on Henson's outsized role in ensuring the success of their mission. Although he was frequently overshadowed by Commander Robert Peary, Henson continues to be recognized as a pioneering African American who rose from poverty to become a true national hero. Seven times had Robert Peary and Matthew Henson attempted to reach the fabled North Pole. Seven times they failed. In 1908, following years of frustration, they gather a crew of Inuit guides and set sail from Greenland, hopeful that the eighth voyage will end in discovery. Throughout his life, Matthew Henson has grown accustomed to proving himself. Born the son of sharecroppers in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, he has endured racism and economic disparity his entire life. Since 1891, Henson and Peary--who he met while working at a Washington D.C. department store--have been attempting to reach the most remote location on planet earth, an icebound region devoid of sustenance and shelter, accessible only by boat, sled, and foot. As they near the North Pole, Henson prepares to make history.. Since our inception in 2020, Mint Editions has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh, professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover, all while maintaining the integrity of the original book. With thousands of titles in our collection, we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works, curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.
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I loved this book; Henson has a wonderful, gentlemanly style with flashes of understated wit-- some of this humorous passages remind me of Mark Twain. From what I've gathered reading numerous other works on polar exploration, Henson also understates the incredible difficulties & challenges of life in Arctic climates. I really enjoyed his recounting of the efforts involved, and really did wish the book were longer or that I could read more by Matthew Henson (I've since seen references that he wrote an article a few years after this book, but haven't gotten it yet). His interactions with & attitudes toward the Eskimos are fascinating to read.
From an historical perspective, it's illuminating to realize just how invisible this man has been. I have read dozens of polar exploration books, seeing references to the 'big' names-- Peary, Greely, Brainard, Franklin, etc, along with their many, many assistants. But I never heard of Matthew Henson until I stumbled across this book while wandering in the forest of Google. It is deeply sad that this intelligent, highly capable man has been largely lost to history because of his race... as have thousands of others.
We have come a ways from then, thankfully. I'm glad Matthew Henson had been able to explore all his capabilities, instead of fading into clerking & obscurity after reaching the Arctic.
stuckey
Aug 2, 2007
Henson Book is Wonderful
The book was great. It was a wonderful first hand account of an important time in American history. His descriptions of the arctic conditions and its hardships, gave me a much greater appreciation for his courage and intellect. Henson was a first class explorer and a first class man that has only recently received his due.