The content here is very evenly split between talking about Cook and talking about Peary. Henderson had a knack for keeping his perspective and opinions close to his chest. I enjoyed putting together my own opinions of who truly had reached the North Pole. Both men had their strengths and weaknesses, where one is clearly more of a jerk than the other. I’m not going to spoil any of the details but Henderson spares no details about either’s personal lives in addition to their prowess as explorers.

The immersion in the narrative paid some attention to the logistics of making it north, but also the absurdity of going so far north. Both Peary and Cook had their own relationships with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic, with vastly different outcomes. Henderson depicts both without judgment, but there emerges a sense of who had the more respectful disposition. The sociology explored resonates with attitudes reminiscent of prior exploration, with the added perspective granted from the passage of time. It’s an interesting read from that perspective, though the assignation of pro- and antagonist quickly comes to light. But Henderson doesn’t make the assignment, which makes for a more engaging read.