(1) With Stefansson in the Arctic (2) The Arctic Forests

Abstract

(1) THE facile pen of Mr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson has already made us familiar with the Canadian Arctic islands and his views on the friendliness of Nature in the polar regions, but we may say without prejudice to the leader of the expedition that one needed the opinions and feelings of a rank-and-file member of the party to drive home the theories of the enthusiast. Mr. Noice tells in a frank and pleasant way| the events of many months of intimate companionship i with his leader, and incidentally unfolds his gradual conversion to the beliefs of Stefansson in a way which carries more conviction than the calm and scientific statements of “The Friendly Arctic” could do. There are also many gaps in the earlier narrative which are filled up in this, and new sidelights are thrown on some aspects, as, for example, on the insubordination which so frequently marred the plans and diverted the purpose of the expedition. (1) With Stefansson in the Arctic. By Harold Noice. Pp. 270 + 16 plates. (London, Calcutta and Sydney: G. G. Harrap and Co., Ltd., 1924.) 7s. 6d. net. (2) The Arctic Forests. By Michael H. Mason. Pp. xiii + 320 + 53 Plates. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., 1924.) 20s. net.