The year 1912 brings the anniversary of two major losses that shook the nation : the loss of the Titanic and the loss of the second National Antarctic Expedition and the tragic and heroic death of its leader, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Royal Navy. Scott and his companions died on their way back from the South Pole in 1912. The author describes Scott s complex character, his qualities of leadership displayed during his first, 1902-04 expedition, and the hardships endured in finally reaching the South Pole - only to discover that the Norwegian team had arrived there before him. Bitterly disappointed, Scott and his party began the long haul back to base but he and a number of his men were never to reach home. This book is illustrated with 16 colored plates and about 100 photographs.