Northern Waterways Reference Collection

Author: Stefansson, Vilhjalmur

Title: The Friendly Arctic: The Story of Five Years in Polar Regions

Year: 1921

Publisher: New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons 

Pages: 319 

Source: Google Books  

Description: "The Friendly Arctic, a title suggested to Stefansson by Gilbert Grosvenor of the National Geographic Society, was Stefansson's version of the 1913-18 expedition [resulting in the loss of the Karluk], its trials and tribulations and, of course, Stefansson's multitude of achievements in the face of adversity and near mutiny.  In essence, it was his rational and justification for his actions.  The topics ranged from the confrontation at Nome, the Collinson point episode, and the many wranglings over priorities in terms of ships and supplies, Stefansson's exploits, and his theories on arctic matters.  Anderson and other members of the Geological Surevy were painted in less than rosy colours, and Anderson's initial reaction to the book was predicable (Diubaldo 1978: 196) …

"Rather than have the battle fought in the newspapers, Camsell, deputy minister of the Geological Survey, thought it best that a former member of the Southern Section should write a critical review of The Friendly Arctic for an internationally respected geographic journal ... Anderson, Chipman, O'Neill, and Jenness sent a strong note to Charles Steward, minister of the Interior, protesting the allegations in The Friendly Arctic, which, they claimed, injured their 'personal honour' and professional reputations, and demanded that a formal investigation look into the matter (Diubaldo 1978:199) …

"The Friendly Arctic was not a best seller in Canada or Great Britain, although one can be sure the controversy generated after its publication may have helped its sales (Diubaldo 1978:201) …