Robert Scott Popular Books
Robert Scott Biography & Facts
Captain Robert Falcon Scott (6 June 1868 – c. 29 March 1912) was a British Royal Navy officer and explorer who led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: the Discovery expedition of 1901–04 and the Terra Nova expedition of 1910–13. On the first expedition, he set a new southern record by marching to latitude 82°S and discovered the Antarctic Plateau, on which the South Pole is located. On the second venture, Scott led a party of five which reached the South Pole on 17 January 1912, less than five weeks after Amundsen's South Pole expedition. A planned meeting with supporting dog teams from the base camp failed, despite Scott's written instructions, and at a distance of 162 miles (261 km) from their base camp at Hut Point and approximately 12.5 miles (20.1 km) from the next depot, Scott and his companions died. When Scott and his party's bodies were discovered, they had in their possession the first Antarctic fossils discovered. The fossils were determined to be from the Glossopteris tree and proved that Antarctica was once forested and joined to other continents. Before his appointment to lead the Discovery expedition, Scott had a career as a Royal Navy officer. In 1899, he had a chance encounter with Sir Clements Markham, the president of the Royal Geographical Society, and learned of a planned Antarctic expedition, which he soon volunteered to lead. His name became inseparably associated with the Antarctic, the field of work to which he remained committed during the final 12 years of his life. Following the news of his death, Scott became a celebrated hero, a status reflected by memorials erected across the UK. However, in the last decades of the 20th century, questions were raised about his competence and character. Commentators in the 21st century have regarded Scott more positively after assessing the temperature drop below −40 °C (−40 °F) in March 1912, and after re-discovering Scott's written orders of October 1911, in which he had instructed the dog teams to meet and assist him on the return trip. Early life Family Scott was born on 6 June 1868, the third of six children and elder son of John Edward, a brewer and magistrate, and Hannah (née Cuming) Scott of Stoke Damerel, near Devonport. There were also naval and military traditions in the family, Scott's grandfather and four uncles all having served in the army or navy. John Scott's prosperity came from the ownership of a small Plymouth brewery which he had inherited from his father and subsequently sold. Scott's early childhood years were spent in comfort, but some years later, when he was establishing his naval career, the family suffered serious financial misfortune. In accordance with the family's tradition, Scott and his younger brother Archie were predestined for careers in the armed services. Scott spent four years at a local day school before being sent to Stubbington House School in Hampshire, a cramming establishment that prepared candidates for the entrance examinations to the naval training ship HMS Britannia at Dartmouth. Having passed these exams Scott began his naval career in 1881, as a 13-year-old cadet. Early naval career In July 1883, Scott passed out of Britannia as a midshipman, seventh overall in a class of 26. By October, he was en route to South Africa to join HMS Boadicea, the flagship of the Cape squadron, the first of several ships on which he served during his midshipman years. While stationed in St Kitts, West Indies, on HMS Rover, he had his first encounter with Clements Markham, then Secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, who would loom large in Scott's later career. On this occasion, 1 March 1887, Markham observed Midshipman Scott's cutter winning that morning's race across the bay. Markham's habit was to "collect" likely young naval officers with a view to their undertaking polar exploration work in the future. He was impressed by Scott's intelligence, enthusiasm and charm, and the 18-year-old midshipman was duly noted. In March 1888 Scott passed his examinations for sub-lieutenant, with four first class certificates out of five. His career progressed smoothly, with service on various ships and promotion to lieutenant in 1889. In 1891, after a long spell in foreign waters, he applied for the two-year torpedo training course on HMS Vernon, an important career step. He graduated with first class certificates in both the theory and practical examinations. A small blot occurred in the summer of 1893 when, while commanding a torpedo boat, Scott ran it aground, a mishap which earned him a mild rebuke. During the research for his dual biography of Scott and Roald Amundsen, polar historian Roland Huntford investigated a possible scandal in Scott's early naval career, related to the period 1889–1890 when Scott was a lieutenant on HMS Amphion. According to Huntford, Scott "disappears from naval records" for eight months, from mid-August 1889 until 26 March 1890. Huntford hints at involvement with a married American woman, a cover-up, and protection by senior officers. Biographer David Crane reduces the missing period to eleven weeks, but is unable to clarify further. He rejects the notion of protection by senior officers on the grounds that Scott was not important or well-connected enough to warrant this. Documents that may have offered explanations are missing from Admiralty records. In 1894, while serving as torpedo officer on the depot ship HMS Vulcan, Scott learned of the financial calamity that had overtaken his family. John Scott, having sold the brewery and invested the proceeds unwisely, had lost all his capital and was now virtually bankrupt. At the age of 63, and in poor health, he was forced to take a job as a brewery manager and move his family to Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Three years later, while Robert was serving with the Channel Squadron flagship HMS Majestic, John Scott died of heart disease, creating a fresh family crisis. Hannah Scott and her two unmarried daughters now relied entirely on the service pay of Scott and the salary of younger brother Archie, who had left the army for a higher-paid post in the colonial service. Archie's own death in the autumn of 1898, after contracting typhoid fever, meant that the whole financial responsibility for the family rested on Scott. Promotion, and the extra income this would bring, now became a matter of considerable concern to Scott. In the Royal Navy however, opportunities for career advancement were both limited and keenly sought after by ambitious officers. Early in June 1899, while home on leave, he had a chance encounter in a London street with Clements Markham, who was now knighted and President of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), and learned for the first time of an impending Antarctic expedition with Discovery, under the auspices of the RGS. It was the opportunity for early command and a chance to distinguish himself, rather than any predilection for polar exploration which motivated Scott, ac.... Discover the Robert Scott popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Robert Scott books.
Best Seller Robert Scott Books of 2024
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The Book of Virtues
William J. BennettResponsibility. Courage. Compassion. Honesty. Friendship. Persistence. Faith. Everyone recognizes these traits as essentials of good character. In order for our children to develop...
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Masterpieces
Orson Scott CardA collection of the best science fiction short stories of the 20th century as selected and evaluated by criticallyacclaimed author Orson Scott Card.Featuring stories from the genre...
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Double Ace
Robert CoramIn Double Ace, veteran biographer Robert Coram, himself a Georgia man, provides readers with an unprecedented look at the defining characteristics that made Robert Lee Scott a uni...
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The Complete Works of Sir Walter Scott
Walter ScottThis carefully edited collection has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Contents: INTRODUCTION SIR WALTER SCO...
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Saviour of Rome
Douglas JacksonA gripping and breathtaking novel of Roman adventure from bestselling author Douglas Jackson. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers are loving Gaius Valerius Verre...
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Sacrifice
Will JordanLet bestselling author Will Jordan take you on a breakneck speed ride with CIA agent Ryan Drake in this compelling and unmissable thriller. Fans of Lee Child, Vince Flynn and David...
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Tom Swan and the Keys of Saint Peter
Christian CameronTHE BRAND NEW ADVENTURE FROM 'THE MASTER OF HISTORICAL FICTION' (SUNDAY TIMES)TOM SWAN SOLDIER, SCHOLAR, BASTARD, SPY.Tom Swan and his friends are trying to save Europe from the T...
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Terra Nova
Henriette LazaridisA haunting story of love, art, and betrayal, set against the heartpounding backdrop of Antarctic explorationfrom the Boston Globebestselling author of The Clover House.“Ingenious”N...
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Suspect
Robert CraisFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Elvis Cole and Joe Pike series comes a thrilling novel featuring LAPD K9 Officer Scott James and his German shepherd, Magg...
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He Killed Them All
Jeanine PirroFormer prosecutor Jeanine Pirrothe “true hero” (New York Post) of the hit HBO documentary series The Jinxoffers the transfixing true story of her tireless fifteenyear investigation...
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The Mosaic Of Shadows
Tom HarperPerfect for fans of Conn Iggulden, Lindsey Davis, Steven Pressfield, this breathtaking and captivating novel brings the Crusades to life in all their triumphant and tragic glory.'G...
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The Greatest Enemy
Douglas ReemanThis compelling nautical adventure from multimillion copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman will have readers of Clive Cussler, Bernard Cornwell and Wilbur Smith gripped with its e...
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The Bruce
John Barbour, Robert Douglas, Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton & N. C. WyethJohn Barbour's "The Bruce" Illustrated Anyone who is familiar with George R. R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” novels and has even a passing familiarity with the history of medieval Sc...
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A Branch on Fire
Robert Scott“Gun fire breaks out at an isolated compound in Waco Texas. It was a battle between 100 ATF agents and my “friends” from California; Steve Schneider, Jimmy Riddle and others as led...
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Sleeper 13
Rob Sinclair'One of the most intense and engrossing thrillers of the last decade' Amazon reviewerAn actionpacked and utterly gripping, globetrotting thriller for fans of I AM PILGRIM by Terr...
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Shadow Hunter
Geoffrey ArcherOne renegade captain threatens disasterHMS Truculent is a nuclearpowered, hunterkiller submarine, and one of the most deadly weapon systems in the world. Phil Hitchens is its disti...
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Pandemia
Alex BerensonThe most important fact about the coronavirus pandemic that turned the world upside down in 2020 is that our response to it has been an epic overreaction driven by a disastrous con...
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For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest HemingwayErnest Hemingway's masterpiece on war, love, loyalty, and honor tells the story of Robert Jordan, an antifascist American fighting in the Spanish Civil War.In 1937 Ernest Hemingway...
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Glory of Rome
Douglas JacksonA riveting and allaction historical pageturner from bestselling author Douglas Jackson that will have you gripped from page one! Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Read...
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In Search Of The First Civilizations
Michael WoodFive thousand years ago there began the most momentous revolution in human history. Starting in Mesopotamia, city civilization emerged for the first time on earth, to be followed i...
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Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions
Ed ZwickA NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER USA TODAY BESTSELLER This heartfelt and wry career memoir from the director of Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai, Legends o...
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Chaos Kings
Scott PattersonWritten by a veteran Wall Street Journal reporter, this is a fascinating and “closely observed chronicle of the stormchasing edgelords of finance and the critics with whom they cla...
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Imposter 13
Rob SinclairTHE EXPLOSIVE FINALE TO THE SLEEPER 13 SERIESAgainst all odds, Aydin Torkal aka Sleeper 13 broke free from the terrorist group that took him as a child and raised him into a life...
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For Whom the Bell Tolls
Ernest HemingwayIntroduced by Hemingway’s grandson Seán Hemingway, this newly annotated edition and literary masterpiece about an American in the Spanish Civil War features early drafts and supple...
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My Last Continent
Midge RaymondThis unforgettable debut, set against the dramatic Antarctic landscape, is “refreshingly different, vivid and immediate. Midge Raymond has an extraordinary gift for description tha...
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Enemy of Rome
Douglas JacksonA gripping, adrenalinfuelled historical pageturner from bestselling author Douglas Jackson. Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers are loving Gaius Valerius Verrens...
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My Name Is Nobody
Matthew Richardson'PROOF THAT THE SPY GENRE IS FLOURISHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY' Guardian'I know for certain that there is a mole somewhere within the intelligence services . . . His codename is Nobo...
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Scorpion Trail
Geoffrey ArcherAlex Crawford has been out of MI5 and the combat zone for twenty years, but now fate has thrust him back into the front line.Though he is an aid worker, the secret service minders ...
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The Stowaway
Laurie Gwen ShapiroThe spectacular, true story of a scrappy teenager from New York’s Lower East Side who stowed away on the most remarkable feat of science and daring of the Jazz Age, The Stowaway is...
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Fugitive 13
Rob SinclairThe explosive, gripping new thriller from bestselling author Rob Sinclair for fans of Orphan X, I Am Pilgrim and Nomad.Aydin Torkal aka Sleeper 13 is on the run.Hunted not only ...
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Defender of Rome
Douglas JacksonThis riveting and actionpacked historical thriller from bestselling author Douglas Jackson is real edge of your seat stuff! Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.Readers a...
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Eagle in the Snow
Wallace BreemA classic historical novel about General Maximus, one of the inspirations behind Ridley Scott's massively successful film GLADIATOR.'Behind me I left my youth, my middle age, my wi...
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Nightfall Berlin
Jack Grimwood'Noteperfect, multilayered, rugged as a T34 tank. Grimwood is about to become your new favourite thriller writer' IndependentA tense, atmospheric and breathtaking thriller that dro...
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Infinite Stars
Bryan Thomas Schmidt, David Weber, Brian Herbert, Elizabeth Moon & Orson Scott CardThe seductive thrill of uncharted worlds, of distant galaxies… and the unknown threats that lurk in the vastness of the cosmos. From Foundation to Lensman, Star Wars to Guardians o...
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Found Her
NJ MackayThe most gripping, emotional and redemptive psychological thriller of 2021 for fans of Erin Kinsley, Lisa Jewell, Louise Jensen, Phoebe Morgan, CL Taylor, Cara Hunter and KL Slate...
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The Troop
Nick CutterWINNER OF THE JAMES HERBERT AWARD FOR HORROR WRITING“The Troop scared the hell out of me, and I couldn’t put it down. This is oldschool horror at its best.” Stephen KingOnce every ...
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The Promise
Robert CraisElvis Cole and Joe Pike are joined by Suspect heroes LAPD K9 Officer Scott James and his German shepherd, Maggie, in this heartstopping thriller from #1 New York Tim...
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Betrayal
Will JordanIf you are looking for an adrenalinfuelled, bloodpumping, breakneck speed thriller then look no further than Will Jordan's third novel featuring British CIA agent Ryan Drake. Compe...
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The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini
Benvenuto CelliniBenvenuto Cellini was a celebrated Renaissance sculptor and goldsmith a passionate craftsman who was admired and resented by the most powerful political and artistic personalities...
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To Risks Unknown
Douglas ReemanMultimillion copy bestselling author Douglas Reeman is the master of naval fiction and this actionpacked, highoctane WW2 historical adventure is no exception. Jampacked with tensio...