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Fatal North: Murder Survival Aboard USS Polaris First US Expedition North Pole Hardcover – February 1, 2001

by Bruce Henderson (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 903 ratings
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An in-depth account of the first U.S. expedition to the North Pole describes a mission that ended in the suspicious death of its leader, Charles Hall, and a desperate struggle for survival on the polar ice, drawing on original Navy inquests into the disaster, autopsy and forensic reports, personal journals, the ship's original log, and more.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    306 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    New American Library
  4. Publication date
    February 1, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    5.84 x 1.07 x 8.72 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0451409353
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0451409355
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Polaris expedition, the failed first U.S. expedition to the North Pole, is one of the strangest in the history of Arctic misadventure. It was marked by the mysterious death of its leader, Capt. Charles Francis Hall, and by bickering between different factions of the crew, both before and after their leader's death. After marooning 18 of its members, including officer George Tyson, on an ice floe (where they drifted for six months until rescued by another ship), the expedition ended when the vessel was abandoned by the remainder of the crew. In clean, fast-paced prose, Henderson (coauthor of And the Sea Will Tell) aptly conveys daily life on the ship and reconstructs its mood and politics vividly. He succeeds, too, at re-creating characters from among the crew, interspersing the thoughts of various men with dialogue, thereby immersing the reader in the story. Perhaps Henderson could have extracted more drama from the captain's death: in the final chapter, he explores in detail the possibility of foul play and the dying captain's suspicions that he was being poisoned, well after the description of the death itself. But he handles the story of the group that gets separated from the ship smoothly, having wisely focused on George Tyson, the leader of the stranded men, throughout the book. With narrative and descriptive skill, he chronicles the group's attempt to survive the Arctic winter and one another's treachery. In the end, Henderson casts significant doubt on the official inquiry into Hall's death, citing the inquiry's transcripts and drawing on the results of an autopsy performed on Hall's exhumed body in 1968 that reveal high levels of arsenic. Fans of adventure writing will appreciate this fine book. (Feb.)Forecast: Once again, two titles on the same subject will be released within shelving dates of one another; in this case, the rival, due out a week earlier, is Trial by Ice, by Richard Parry. Both are worthy books, though the Henderson is the worthier, but which the public flocks to remains to be seen.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In June 1871, prominent Arctic explorer Charles Francis Hall set sail for the North Pole aboard the U.S.S. Polaris, never to return. After struggling for years to fund an expedition to the Pole, Congress had finally appropriated the funds to purchase a wooden "screw tug" that was later rechristened Polaris after the North Star. From the outset there was trouble between Hall, his scientists, and the crew. The captain turned out to be a drunkard, and the scientists were reluctant to obey orders. Upon his return from a two-week sledge journey, the seemingly healthy and vibrant Hall became violently ill and suddenly died. The captain thought the Polaris was sinking and jettisoned half of the ship's supplies onto the ice. Then, a fierce storm separated the ship from the shore and left half of the crew stranded on the ice for 197 Arctic winter days. Best-selling author and former journalism professor Henderson (And the Sea Will Tell), who served in the Arctic while in the navy, spent many weeks researching primary source materials in the National Archives. To solve the mystery surrounding Hall's death, he uses testimony from the Congressional inquest as well as a 1968 autopsy utilizing DNA evidence. A factual historical mystery written by a gifted storyteller, this book should be popular in public libraries. John Kenny, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ New American Library; First Edition (February 1, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 306 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451409353
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451409355
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.84 x 1.07 x 8.72 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 903 ratings

About the author

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Bruce Henderson

Bruce Henderson

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Bruce Henderson is the author of more than twenty nonfiction books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller AND THE SEA WILL TELL, which was made into a highly-rated TV series. His latest book, SONS AND SOLDIERS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE JEWS WHO ESCAPED THE NAZIS AND RETURNED WITH THE U.S. ARMY TO FIGHT HITLER, hit the New York Times Bestseller List in 2018. Henderson's previous books include RESCUE AT LOS BANOS: THE MOST DARING PRISON CAMP RAID OF WORLD WAR II, and HERO FOUND: THE GREATEST POW ESCAPE OF THE VIETNAM WAR, a national bestseller which told the true story of U.S. Navy pilot Dieter Dengler, with whom Henderson served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61) during Vietnam. Henderson is also the author of TRACE EVIDENCE: THE HUNT FOR THE I-5 SERIAL KILLER and FATAL NORTH: MURDER AND SURVIVAL ON THE FIRST NORTH POLE EXPEDITION. An award-winning journalist and author, he has taught reporting and writing at USC School of Journalism and Stanford University. Visit his website: www.BruceHendersonBooks.com.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
903 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tripower53
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome and thrilling read
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2021
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274 pages

5 stars

This story is about the death of “Captain” Charles Francis Hall and the investigation nearly one hundred years later into that death. Along the way, we learn of the travails of the men trapped in the ice aboard the Polaris.

However, the new captain Sidney Buddington left nineteen men, women and children on an ice floe and just sailed away and refused to come back to rescue them. Fortunately among the stranded were two Inuit hunters and George Tyson. Tyson was a close friend of Hall's. He had little to no control over the behavior of the little troupe of men on the floe who threatened him and the Inuits and did as they pleased.

They managed to survive through hardship and infighting until picked up by a passing ship six months later. They managed to kill seals and small birds on some days. Some other days, they went hungry. The Inuit hunters feared for their families lives as the disruptive faction of men had thoughts of cannibalism, staring with the children.

Sidney Buddington was a whaling captain who had a major drinking problem who took over the Polaris voyage following “Captain” Hall's death. He stole the liquor and even went so far as to drink the preservative solution for the scientific finds by the scientists. He did not want to go north. He constantly complained about Hall and was said to be happy when he died.

Dr. Emil Bessels was the doctor aboard the ship. This is the man that Hall accused of poisoning him. Bessels gave Hall some mysterious white powder by injection. (?) Hall actually got better when he refused treatment by Bessels.

Buddington, Bessels and the other aboard the ship were rescued later. Buddington had plans apparently to scuttle the ship and enjoy the living in a small trading town on Greenland. Buddington gave the vessel to a local Inuit.

The Board of Inquiry held following the rescue did not ask very pressing questions and basically dismissed Hall's death as “natural causes.” Incidentally, Hall's journals were “lost.” Buddington is said to have thrown them overboard and burned them. Although some pages did turn up at the inquiry in the possession of Bessels.

In 1968, some doctors and others journeyed to Hall's grave and took samples of the corpse. These were examined at laboratories in Canada. Hall was found to have very high levels of arsenic. The indication is that he was poisoned. But, by whom?

This is a well written account of the hair raising expedition of the Polaris. It is not overly scientific or dry. It is filled with excerpts from George Tyson's daily journal from the floe. He was a very brave man.
4 people found this helpful
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Laurie Kelley
4.0 out of 5 stars Focused Look at a Polar Expedition and Horrific Survival Tale
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2021
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“Fatal North: Murder and Survival on First North Pole Expedition” is a page turner, a true story of an Arctic expedition of 1871 headed by Charles Francis Hall, a Chicago publisher turned adventurer who believed it was his mission to find survivors of the lost Franklin Expedition of 1845, and to discover the North Pole. This book focuses mainly on this one expedition, though Hall had three, and not on Hall in particular, as Chauncey Loomis did in “Weird and Tragic Shores,” which I highly recommend. And that’s to author Henderson’s advantage. By focusing on this one expedition, he packs it full of character, personalities, detail and journal entries, so much that I could not put this book down. I read it in one day, and found it extremely well written, thrilling, and I am very familiar already with the story.

Not only focusing on this one story, which becomes a horrific and incredible story of survival, but also by telling this tale through the eyes of navigator George Tyson, who becomes the de facto hero, along with the “eskimos” that accompanied them. Six months spent in the open on an ice floe in the Arctic, with hardly any food, and young children! With temperatures dipping to -45° and icy gales, the ice cracking and breaking. It is a horror story in many ways. Yet there are moments of faith, reflection, nobility and courage. And then a rescue... and Naval inquiry. It’s all history, amazing and fascinating.

I had doubts about the book starting in the Prologue as there was a big mistake: Henderson refers to Commander Adolphus Greely as Augustus Greely, a huge oversight by him and his editors. Greely is much more famous than Hall. And there are a few other minor errors that I won’t detail but are a bit perplexing. One odd thing is that Henderson mentions that the captain, Sidney Buddington, had an uncle who was also a whaler, but neglects to mention he was key in finding the HMS Resolute... the wood of which later became the desk where the US president now sits. An interesting historical fact that would have been good to mention. But... edits aside, a fantastic story, told in expert style. I can’t wait to read Henderson’s other books now!
11 people found this helpful
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pamarella
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2022
Verified Purchase
What a book! I found this an incredible book and well told history of the crew who sought to reach the North Pole. At times I had a hard time getting my brain wrapped around so much ice and cold and devastating circumstances!! Mr Hall and Mr Tyson were amazing men. Both had integrity, compassion, intelligence, discernment, discipline, wisdom and strength of character. A few others on the ship also had strong characters, especially Joe. Sadly two in particular were evil, self serving men. They sabotaged the entire expedition. The pain and suffering in this book is really beyond our comprehension. I was crushed for Mr Hall. Very, very sad. The hand of God surely did protect those who were on the ice suffering and starving for all those months of horrible storms, and deprivation. It is a miracle they made it. It’s very upsetting that the Board who inquired about the death of Mr Hall did not pursue the truth more diligently and bring forth criminal charges. A very sad outcome in our history. I am glad I read this book. Men were sure made of “stronger stuff” in this time. Thank you Bruce Henderson for this book. Well done.
pamarella
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Top reviews from other countries

A South pole Inn patron
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
The Polaris story is an amazing account of an expedition led by good and not so good leaders. Well worth a read if you love an artic adventure with a twist.
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CJDan
5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery and Survival
Reviewed in Australia on October 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
A very interesting and engaging story based on polar expedition. The mystery surrounding the death of the captain keeps you interested throughout and it is frustrating to see how poor the post expedition inquiry was.
I recommend this book to all readers with an interest in polar exploration.
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NINA PORROVECCHIO
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on January 16, 2016
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Awesome. Well written
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John
5.0 out of 5 stars True Story of ill fated Arctic Expedition
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
Interesting account of unknown (to me at least) Arctic expediton. Story of survival despite the elements and some mutinous shipmates.
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