1. Accidents
2. Adventure
3. Antarctica
4. Art techniques
5. Biography
6. Cartography
7. Environment
8. Exploration
9. Geography
10. History
11. Nonfiction
12. Penguins
13. Photo-realism
14. Seas and oceans
15. Snow
16. Visual literacy
17. Weather

In 1911, Captain Robert Scott led an ill-fated British expedition to reach the South Pole. In ‘No Return’ Peter Gouldthorpe presents both a tribute, and a reflection on the bravery and bravado of the men who to all accounts underestimated the difficulties involved. Scott was dogged with knowledge that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen was also leading an expedition with the same goal.

The book provides a factual account of Scott’s expeditions and the many travails encountered. Were they adequately prepared for such an arduous journey through an unknown and dangerous if beautiful landscape? The book raises many questions. Was there much scientific benefit and did they lose their lives for no real purpose?

The book is a visual feast. Peter Gouldthorpe’s photorealistic style artwork brings the story to life. In particular the looks of disappointment on the faces when the final five eventually reach the South Pole and see that Amundsen had already been and gone a good month before.

Scott has always been regarded as a hero and indeed they did reach the South Pole after walking 1400 kms in appalling conditions. However, his route was longer and less direct than Amundsen’s who despite his success has never received the same kudos as Scott.

An interesting book that raises many questions and an excellent source for discussion.

1. Hachette Australia Teaching notes by Robyn Sheahan-Bright for ‘No Return: Captain Scott’s Race to the Pole’ by Peter Gouldthorpe https://cdn.hachette.com.au/resources/9780734412799-teachers-notes.pdf
2. ReadPlus 16 November 2011, Fran Knight reviews ‘No Return : Captain Scott’s Race to the Pole’ https://www.readplus.com.au/reviews/no-return-captain-scotts-race-to-the-pole-by-peter-gouldthorpe
3. Books for Keeps Review of ‘No Return : Captain Scott’s Race to the Pole’ by Peter Gouldthorpe https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/review/no-return-captain-scotts-race-to-the-pole/
4. New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust ‘History of Scott’s Expedition British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition 1910-1913’ https://nzaht.org/conserve/explorer-bases/scotts-hut-cape-evans/history-of-scotts-expedition/
5. The Guardian 25 September 2011. Robin McKie ‘Scott of the Antarctic: the lies that doomed his race to the pole’ https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/sep/24/scott-antarctic-lies-race-pole
6. YouTube ‘Race to the Pole’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J0AJ7II5fg