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Flaws in the ice : in search of Douglas Mawson

Day, David, 1949-2013

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Summary

In Flaws in the Ice, prize-winning historian David Day takes off on a five-week odyssey in search of the real Douglas Mawson. Beginning his book on board an expedition ship bound for the Antarctic, Dr Day asks the difficult questions that have hitherto lain buried about Mawson his intimate relationship with Lady Scott, his leadership of the ill-fated Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-14, and his conduct during the trek that led to the death of his two companions. He also explores the ways in which Mawson subsequently concealed his failures and deficiencies as an explorer, and created for himself a heroic image that has persisted for a century. For many decades, there has been only one published, first-hand account of the expedition the one written and orchestrated by Mawson himself. Only now have alternative accounts become publicly available. The most important of these is the long-suppressed diary of Mawson's deputy, Cecil Madigan, who is scathing in his criticisms of Mawson's abilities, achievements, and character. At the same time, other accounts have appeared from leading members of the expedition that also challenge Mawson's official story.