“The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic”
by Jennifer Thermes.
Viking Press, New York, 2023, 56 pages, Grades 1-4.
The Antarctic is largely unexplored at the turn of the 20th century. This leads adventurers and explorers from a number of countries to attempt to map the continent, and discover the location of the South Pole. Though certain scientific advances had been made, the knowledge of the geographic risks, appropriate food supplies and the types of sled to complete these tasks is in its infancy. It will be known as “The Age of the Heroic Antarctic Exploration.”
Tom Crean is one of the great explorers of this period. Though humble and reticent to speak about his courageous deeds, Crean’s life is vividly brought to life in this outstanding biography by Jennifer Thermes. The name of this well crafted and illustrated book is “The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic.”
Tom is a young boy living in poverty in County Kerry, Ireland. With little economic prospects, he joins the British Navy at the age of 16. Through hard work, Tom is promoted several times. On one of his voyages, he is asked to join an Antarctic expedition being organized by Captain Robert Scott. This would be the first of three expeditions into the Antarctic.
All of these expeditions lasted a number of years. During each journey, Crean faced death from freezing waters, treacherous ice crevasses, brutal cold and times of near starvation. Throughout all the treks into the frozen white Antarctic landscape, Crean pulled weighty sleds, herded dog teams and walked through violent snowstorms to save members of the expeditions.
In 1914, on the three-year exploration named “The Endurance,” his team became isolated on a barren island. To save the members of the group, he and five others sail through large waves in a small boat to find a relief crew. When ice-cold water begins swamping the boat, the six men bail the frigid water by hand. Their heroic journey saves the stranded crew as they reach their destination, and another group of explorers goes back and rescues the remaining 23 men.
What kind of man can undergo such extreme privations and continue to care for his fellow explorers? What do the leaders of each expedition think of Tom Crean? How does the greatness of his courage meet the greatness of his heart? To find the answers to these and other questions, go to the library and check out this exceptional biography, “The Indestructible Tom Crean: Heroic Explorer of the Antarctic” by Jennifer Thermes.
This recently published book is likely to win any number of literary awards. The writing and illustrations are exceptional. The outstanding maps drawn by the author aid the reader’s understanding of the continent of Antarctica, and the three expeditions undertaken by Tom Crean.
Unlike some upper class adventurers like Captain Robert Scott and Captain Ernest Shackleton, Tom Crean had no connections with the privileged classes. All of his many accomplishments resulted from his courage and greatness of character. I hope you get a chance to read this remarkable book about the exceptional life of this humble man. I think you will find the book to be an exciting read. Highly recommended.
