OVER THE EDGE: Flying with the Arctic Heroes

by K.C. Tessendorf ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 1998

An entertaining history of brave souls who sought to conquer the north pole via air travel. Tessendorf's fact-filled and exciting narrative recounts the various expeditions, starting with Salomon AndrÆ’e's ill-fated 1897 balloon attempt, followed by US newspaperman Walter Wellman's motor dirigible America, which also didn't succeed. While these first journeys were met with failure and death, some success came to Roald Amundsen, who was within 150 miles of the pole. Victory ultimately went to Richard Byrd, who claimed in 1926 to fly over the pole in a mission supported by the US Navy and funded by Edsel Ford of the automotive empire and John D. Rockefeller Jr. An afterword reveals the ultimate fates of the rest of the explorers mentioned. Numerous black-and-white prints and photographs provide further realism.

Pub Date: Nov. 1, 1998

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 116

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1998

Categories: CHILDREN'S