"Rosove weaves together the explorers' own accounts with a narrative that puts readers in the midst of events. From Capt. James Cook's expedition in 1772 to Shackleton's final expedition in 1922, he describes how these small parties of intrepid men discovered the continent, explored its perilous coasts, penetrated its interior, and reached the South Pole, making possible the technically sophisticated expeditions of later years. Using the explorers' own words, Rosove helps readers appreciate their heroic struggles against almost inconceivable hardships, the challenges to their leadership, their awe at the magnificent natural wonders they beheld, and the profound spiritual effects of their polar experiences."--BOOK JACKET.