Each day leading up to the April 13 announcement of the Minnesota Book Awards, we highlight one of the thirty-two finalists. Today we feature 2013 General Nonfiction Finalist:
Forward: The First American Unsupported Expedition to the North Pole by Tyler Fish and John Huston
Published by Octane Press
Category Sponsor: Minnesota AFL-CIO
John Huston and Tyler Fish faced frigid temperatures and little or no sunlight during the nearly two months it took them to complete their record-breaking expedition to the North Pole. Richly illustrated with stunning color photos, maps and charts, Forward takes readers across the ice and into the lives of the men as they pushed themselves to the limit of human endurance.
Excerpt from Forward: The First American Unsupported Expedition to the North Pole:
We stand atop a frozen sea that stretches out before us.
For these past forty-seven days it has been our constant companion and our home. We have skied, snowshoed, and sometimes even swum toward the North Pole, climbing over ridges and threading our way among ice boulders large and small. In our backpacks and in Kevlar sleds called pulks, we carry or haul everything we need to sustain us on our journey: food, clothes, tents, navigation gear, and satellite phones. No Americans have ever traveled under their own power to the North Pole without resupply. We hope to be the first.
Continue reading the first chapter and view photos from the book here.
Tyler Fish has spent his professional career at Outward Bound, where he now serves as a staffing director. He is also a wilderness guide, motivational speaker, and cross-country ski coach. As a polar explorer, he has completed two major expeditions on the Arctic Ocean. He lives in Ely with his wife and son.
John Huston is a motivational speaker, safety and logistics consultant and wilderness guide. He also works part-time in commercial real estate. As a polar explorer he has completed major expeditions in Greenland and Antarctica and on the Arctic Ocean. He is currently planning a two-month expedition to fabled Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic. He and his wife live in Evanston, Illinois.
Reviews:
“More than a coffee-table book of stunning photos, this fascinating account of a two-man trek to the North Pole takes you along for the ride. I love that it is written with both voices and chock-full of information about the Pole and expedition details. Whether you are a traveler or an arm-chair adventurer, you will be enthralled by this journey.” — MN Book Awards Judge
“Forward is the fascinating inside story of a knock-down-drag-out expedition to the top of the world, a journey that separates the dreamers from the doers. This is a real story of real adventure!” — Will Steger, National Geographic Explorer of the Century and author of Crossing Antarctica
“Forward is truly a great read . . . stunning photos and descriptive insights allow you to richly experience this amazing adventure, step by arduous step, all the way to the Pole.”— Ed Viesturs, world-renowned high-altitude mountaineer and author of No Shortcuts to the Top
Audio:
Listen to Tyler and John speak with MPR’s William Wilcoxen back in May of 2009, just weeks after completing their record-breaking expedition.
Award winners will be announced at the 25th Annual Minnesota Book Awards Gala on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at the Hilton Minneapolis. An author meet-and-greet and book signing reception precedes the awards ceremony, and the Epilogue after-party, sponsored by Tech Logic, includes complimentary champagne, desserts, and live music. Tickets on sale now. Click here for more information.
Have you read Forward: The First American Unsupported Expedition to the North Pole? What are your thoughts? We welcome your comments!
Great post, keep up with the hard work, youre doing it right!