1912: the year the world discovered Antarctica

An in-depth exploration of the innovative science and intrepid spirit behind the expeditions that led to the discovery of Antarctica.

On March 8, 1912, the front page of The Daily Chronicle trumpeted "The South Pole discovered," marking Roald Amundsen's triumph over the tragic Robert Scott. Yet behind all the headlines there was a much bigger story. Antarctica was awash with expeditions. In 1912, five teams representing the old and new world were diligently embarking on scientific exploration beyond the edge of the known planet. Their discoveries not only enthralled the world, but changed our understanding of the planet forever. Tales of endurance, self-sacrifice, and technological innovation became the stuff of legends, while laying the groundwork for future scientific endeavors.

First published to celebrate the centenary of this groundbreaking work, 1912: The Year the World Discovered Antarctica revisits the exploits of these different expeditions. Drawing on his own polar experience, Chris Turney looks beyond the now-famous personalities to demonstrate how their discoveries marked the dawn of a new age in our understanding of the natural world. With unprecedented access to original documents and unpublished archival material, Turney weaves a detailed history together with contemporary scientific findings to show how we might reawaken the public's passion for discovery and exploration.