THE HOME OF THE BLIZZARD. Being the Story of the Australasian Expedition, 1911-1914

William Heinemann, London, 1915. First Edition. Cloth. Very Good/No Dust Jacket. 1st 2 Volume Edition; Vol I, xxx, 349 pages, illustrated. Frontispiece, 8 colour plates, 108 b/w plates (4 folding), 17 text illustrations. Vol II, xiii, 338 pages. Frontispiece, 10 colour plates, 93 b/w plates (5 folding), 20 text illustrations, 3 folding maps in rear pocket. Original Cloth covers with pictorial block "Leaning into the Wind" in silver to front covers. Both volumes shelf ware, covers faded, marked. Spines softening with small splits, some minor wrinkling to some pages, mainly plates. Minor spotting, mainly to prelims and page edges. Volume 1 rear hinge split, text block shaken but complete. The first official Australasian Antarctic Expedition. Mawson charted more than 2000 miles of coastline and nearly lost his life in a wild sledge journey. In the process he developed a detailed scientific analysis of George V Land and Macquarie Island and produced this classic account of heroic age exploits, which includes stunning photography from the camera of Frank Hurley. Shore parties wintered at Cape Denison and on the Shackleton Ice Shelf. The former base was unfortunately located in an area of constant gale-force winds -- hence the title. A classic account of survival in the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. Exploring with Ninnis & Mertz in 1912, Ninnis was lost down a crevasse. With him went the 6 fittest dogs & the most indispensable supplies. Mertz & Mawson improvised, feeding the dogs worn out mitts & raw-hide straps, but eventually the weakest dogs were killed to feed them all, until all the dogs were gone. The two men reserved the dog's livers as the meat easiest to chew, unaware that liver's toxins were slowly poisoning the men as they consumed it. Mertz became delirious and died. Mawson continued, the soles of his feet separating and his toes and fingers festering. Miraculously he found a depot of food, and arrived eventually at the main depot, to see the ship departing on the horizon. He wintered over with the 6 men who had remained to continue the search. On Dec. 24, 1913 their 2 year journey was finally over. This is the first UK edition. Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 5 kilogram. Category: Arctic & Antarctic; 1900-1920; Exploration. Pictures of this item not already displayed here available upon request. Inventory No: 295. . This is a SET of books, therefore heavier than a standard volume, and will involve extra shipping charges to some countries.