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The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame: A Life of Louise Arner Boyd
The first comprehensive biography of Louise Arner Boyd — the intrepid American socialite who reinvented herself as the leading female polar explorer of the twentieth century.
Born in the late 1880s to a gritty mining magnate who made his millions in the California gold rush and a well-bred mother descended from one of New York’s distinguished families, society beauty Louise Arner Boyd was raised during a glittering era.
After inheriting a staggering family fortune, she began leading a double life. She fell under the spell of the north in the late 1920s after a sailing excursion to the Arctic Ocean. Over the next three decades, she achieved international notoriety as a rugged and audacious polar explorer while maintaining her flamboyant lifestyle as a leading society woman. Yet despite organizing, financing, and directing seven daring Arctic expeditions between 1926 and 1955, she is virtually unknown today.
Born in the late 1880s to a gritty mining magnate who made his millions in the California gold rush and a well-bred mother descended from one of New York’s distinguished families, society beauty Louise Arner Boyd was raised during a glittering era.
After inheriting a staggering family fortune, she began leading a double life. She fell under the spell of the north in the late 1920s after a sailing excursion to the Arctic Ocean. Over the next three decades, she achieved international notoriety as a rugged and audacious polar explorer while maintaining her flamboyant lifestyle as a leading society woman. Yet despite organizing, financing, and directing seven daring Arctic expeditions between 1926 and 1955, she is virtually unknown today.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2017
About the author
Joanna Kafarowski
3 books60 followersFellow of The Explorers Club, Fellow of The Royal Geographical Society and Director of the Society of Woman Geographers, Joanna Kafarowski is currently researching for her next book about women and exploration in Greenland. She is the author of "Antarctic Pioneer The Trailblazing Life of Jackie Ronne" published by Dundurn Press in May, 2022. This is the first biography of a female Antarctic explorer.
Previously she wrote "The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame A Life of Louise Arner Boyd" published by Dundurn Press in 2017. This was the first comprehensive biography of a female Arctic explorer. The audiobooks version was published in 2021 by Blackstock Publishing. The Spanish language edition was published by Ediciones Casiopea in 2019.
Joanna is an independent scholar and geographer with a passion for researching and writing about women and polar exploration. She has lectured on a cruise ship travelling to Greenland, Iceland, Jan Mayen Land and Svalbard; worked with Indigenous women in the Arctic and participated in a Last Degree North Pole Expedition. Joanna has a bachelor's degree in English literature, a master's degree in Geography, a doctorate in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies and a Professional Specialization Certificate in Heritage Conservation Planning.
Previously she wrote "The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame A Life of Louise Arner Boyd" published by Dundurn Press in 2017. This was the first comprehensive biography of a female Arctic explorer. The audiobooks version was published in 2021 by Blackstock Publishing. The Spanish language edition was published by Ediciones Casiopea in 2019.
Joanna is an independent scholar and geographer with a passion for researching and writing about women and polar exploration. She has lectured on a cruise ship travelling to Greenland, Iceland, Jan Mayen Land and Svalbard; worked with Indigenous women in the Arctic and participated in a Last Degree North Pole Expedition. Joanna has a bachelor's degree in English literature, a master's degree in Geography, a doctorate in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies and a Professional Specialization Certificate in Heritage Conservation Planning.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
September 21, 2023
Ms. Boyd was indeed one hell of a Dame! Let me start out first by letting everyone know what a lame brain I can be at time...mostly because I had to laugh at myself. Ms. Boyds father and friends bought the Bodie gold mine in California. I've been to Bodie. My first thought was, why the hell would anyone buy a played out goldmine in ghost-town? Duh! It was brand spankin' new back then! What a maroon! Ms. Boyd lived a fantastic life. She had many family losses and heartaches along the way, but when she found her calling, she excelled at it. Sad thing is that had she been a man she would have received far more recognition. I also think the reason she had to fund all her explorations was because not many people would have contributed, "because she was a woman," but also with her funding, she was the one in charge. I thought she made excellent choice on her Captain's, and I would have loved to be there to sail with and meet them all! Joanna Kafarowski did a great job in putting this book together. Matter of fact, she tweaked my interest enough to go to YouTube and discover more. Sadly, not a whole lot there. My thanks to the author, Dundurn Press, and Netgalley for allowing me to read for the measly price of a review!
January 22, 2018
Joanna Kafarowksi's book on the life of Louise Arner Boyd was a delight to read. Her research is impeccable, and she uses it to tell a fascinating story, that is both learned but eminently readable. I was particularly impressed with how the author managed to provide deep insights into the early life of this unusual woman, allowing readers to get a sense of the underlying motivations for her zeal for exploration. The book is also enhanced by a broad range of historical photos, some of which simply take your breath away (such as the one with Ms. Boyd beside a towering polar bear.) This is a thoroughly engrossing tale, made all the more fascinating by the fact that it is true!
February 1, 2018
NETGALLEY # 6
Many thanks go to Joanna Kafarowski, Dundurn Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
Louise Arner Boyd was an heiress who also happened to explore the Arctic region numerous times from the 1930s-1950s culminating in a flight to the North Pole.
Boyd was born to privilege and grew up in California. At a young age she lost both older brothers, which devastated her parents and left her the sole heiress to a multi-million dollar fortune. She always enjoyed reading stories about the Scandinavian region and was soon landing an expedition personally funded by her estate. She was one of the first females to explore the area and the first to pay for it herself. She even helped search for a missing fellow explorer. She has various geographical sites named for her.
Sadly she died close to destitution because she had spent most of her money on these trips as well as self-publishing her books and funding her traveling expenses for her appearances and award presentations. But she died satisfied.
What she accomplished allowed US to map the coastline of Greenland. She also worked for the Defense Dept during WWII, but it was top secret.
Highly opinionated and often thought as a micromanager Boyd had an influence on what the Geographical Society charted. She was a pretty important person. I am happy to add this book to my Notorious Women in history shelf.
Many thanks go to Joanna Kafarowski, Dundurn Press, and Netgalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
Louise Arner Boyd was an heiress who also happened to explore the Arctic region numerous times from the 1930s-1950s culminating in a flight to the North Pole.
Boyd was born to privilege and grew up in California. At a young age she lost both older brothers, which devastated her parents and left her the sole heiress to a multi-million dollar fortune. She always enjoyed reading stories about the Scandinavian region and was soon landing an expedition personally funded by her estate. She was one of the first females to explore the area and the first to pay for it herself. She even helped search for a missing fellow explorer. She has various geographical sites named for her.
Sadly she died close to destitution because she had spent most of her money on these trips as well as self-publishing her books and funding her traveling expenses for her appearances and award presentations. But she died satisfied.
What she accomplished allowed US to map the coastline of Greenland. She also worked for the Defense Dept during WWII, but it was top secret.
Highly opinionated and often thought as a micromanager Boyd had an influence on what the Geographical Society charted. She was a pretty important person. I am happy to add this book to my Notorious Women in history shelf.
October 24, 2017
This is an awesome book about Louise Arner Boyd who is little known in our era but back in her day was a famous Arctic explorer in the 1930s. She carefully planned and put together her expeditions because she was driven to and also because she was in a position to do as she pleased, with no one around who could tell her any differently. Sadly, she'd lost both her parents and her 2 brothers so she was all alone. But she was no shrinking violet. She may have been a society beauty, but she also loved philanthropy, environmental issues, adventure, hunting, and she knew her own mind. Louise Boyd lived quite a life and her 7 expeditions helped advance science with her still photographs and movies for mapping, along with her collecting of plants, etc. Plus there was all of the work of the professionals in various fields of study that she chose to take along with her that was collected and published too. Thanks for reading. An ARC was provided by NetGalley for an unbiased review.
February 17, 2018
Louise Arner Boyd was born into a wealthy family and a comfortable, idyllic life in California. Hardship eventually struck, her two brothers died young, and by the time she was in her early thirties, she had also lost her parents. Eager to make her own way in the world, she followed her dream to become an arctic explorer, no small feat at the turn of the 20th century.
Her 1933 expedition to Jan Mayen Island and the east coast of Greenland was one of the most interesting. Academics on the expedition pushed their agendas, some unhappy with female leadership, sought to undermine her ability. Ego threatened teamwork among a few of the reasearchers. J. Harlan Bretz, an American geologist and N.E. Odell, a British geologists correspondence after the expedition reflect their dislike of Louise and they continued to undermine her post expedition by violating the terms of their agreement about the rights to discoveries and publication of findings. A note in a bottle connected to a 1897 failed balloning expedition was found during that trip. Their ship ran aground and innovate measures were taken to save it, they connected a cable to an iceberg, finally able to float the ship at high tide by winching.
History comes to life in this biography. The author's attention to detail is an important part of this book. the photographs and maps make it even more interesting. Louise was the recipient of numerous awards from various governments for her work. What I enjoyed most is how Kafarowski brought Miss Boyd to life. It felt as if one could sit down with Louise and talk about her expeditions into the Arctic, about the plants she found, the maps she made, the fjords she explored, and look at the hundreds of photographs she took. She was first woman to fly over the north pole. Her expeditions after 1933 were also marred by researchers complaining about her leadership, but without a doubt, she was one of the most successful explorers of her time.
Biography fans will enjoy the story of this strong, intelligent and courageous woman.
Her 1933 expedition to Jan Mayen Island and the east coast of Greenland was one of the most interesting. Academics on the expedition pushed their agendas, some unhappy with female leadership, sought to undermine her ability. Ego threatened teamwork among a few of the reasearchers. J. Harlan Bretz, an American geologist and N.E. Odell, a British geologists correspondence after the expedition reflect their dislike of Louise and they continued to undermine her post expedition by violating the terms of their agreement about the rights to discoveries and publication of findings. A note in a bottle connected to a 1897 failed balloning expedition was found during that trip. Their ship ran aground and innovate measures were taken to save it, they connected a cable to an iceberg, finally able to float the ship at high tide by winching.
History comes to life in this biography. The author's attention to detail is an important part of this book. the photographs and maps make it even more interesting. Louise was the recipient of numerous awards from various governments for her work. What I enjoyed most is how Kafarowski brought Miss Boyd to life. It felt as if one could sit down with Louise and talk about her expeditions into the Arctic, about the plants she found, the maps she made, the fjords she explored, and look at the hundreds of photographs she took. She was first woman to fly over the north pole. Her expeditions after 1933 were also marred by researchers complaining about her leadership, but without a doubt, she was one of the most successful explorers of her time.
Biography fans will enjoy the story of this strong, intelligent and courageous woman.
January 1, 2018
In The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame, Joanna Kafarowski reveals the intriguing world of a gutsy adventuress, heiress Louise Arner Boyd. Talk about a woman stepping into a “man’s” world: Louise Arner Boyd charged full-steam ahead into heading polar expeditions. At a time when the only brave deed expected of women who belonged to her elite society might be to nix a parasol while strolling on the boardwalk, Louise Arner Boyd was careening across the hull of a wooden ship with Arctic winds whipping her bare cheeks while circumventing an iceberg.
Joanna Kafarowski’s extensive research is jaw dropping, and would most likely make for a great read itself. The compilation of personal letters, anecdotes, and photographs add to a well-written narrative.
Louise Arner Boyd is my new "person I would most like to meet." What an amazing woman whose biography is well-overdue. I will be forever grateful to Joanna Kafarowski for introducing her into my life.
Joanna Kafarowski’s extensive research is jaw dropping, and would most likely make for a great read itself. The compilation of personal letters, anecdotes, and photographs add to a well-written narrative.
Louise Arner Boyd is my new "person I would most like to meet." What an amazing woman whose biography is well-overdue. I will be forever grateful to Joanna Kafarowski for introducing her into my life.
October 13, 2019
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalley
3.5 stars. The book is really so well researched! And it's got some amazing photos (I loved that part of the book the best). Really, it's worth it to read about Louise Arner Boyd if only to admire her for her courage to go out to explore such human-unfriendly, harsh-environment lands, and not just that, but the fact that she was willing to endure the honestly very shitty attitudes of a lot of the men she had to work with. Most of the time, she was the only woman on the expedition (as well as the leader of it and the one who paid for it), and the more educated the men she worked with, the more they were willing to hate her just because she's a woman (won't take orders from no skirt!!) Anything from the way she talked to the way she dressed when she was not on an Arctic ship was apparently a thing to judge her on. I can't imagine the amount of mansplaining this woman had to endure. And it does seem that she might have had a bit of a tough character, but it still comes across as if she was being judged very harshly just because she was a woman and if she were a man, such qualities would never have been considered offensive. It is really amazing all she did, especially because it was on her own money and she never really had to do any of the research she did or donate any of her materials (which she also did). An amazing explorer to say the least!
The reason why I'm giving 3.5 stars and not 4 was because, in honesty, the book bored me a little (sorry author!). That might be me and not the book! It was still 100% worth the read, and you'll love the photos. Perhaps I was just less interested in the subject than a lot of other readers could be.
By the way, I have a guest post by the author here on my blog if you want to read more about Louise Arner Boyd:
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
3.5 stars. The book is really so well researched! And it's got some amazing photos (I loved that part of the book the best). Really, it's worth it to read about Louise Arner Boyd if only to admire her for her courage to go out to explore such human-unfriendly, harsh-environment lands, and not just that, but the fact that she was willing to endure the honestly very shitty attitudes of a lot of the men she had to work with. Most of the time, she was the only woman on the expedition (as well as the leader of it and the one who paid for it), and the more educated the men she worked with, the more they were willing to hate her just because she's a woman (won't take orders from no skirt!!) Anything from the way she talked to the way she dressed when she was not on an Arctic ship was apparently a thing to judge her on. I can't imagine the amount of mansplaining this woman had to endure. And it does seem that she might have had a bit of a tough character, but it still comes across as if she was being judged very harshly just because she was a woman and if she were a man, such qualities would never have been considered offensive. It is really amazing all she did, especially because it was on her own money and she never really had to do any of the research she did or donate any of her materials (which she also did). An amazing explorer to say the least!
The reason why I'm giving 3.5 stars and not 4 was because, in honesty, the book bored me a little (sorry author!). That might be me and not the book! It was still 100% worth the read, and you'll love the photos. Perhaps I was just less interested in the subject than a lot of other readers could be.
By the way, I have a guest post by the author here on my blog if you want to read more about Louise Arner Boyd:
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
March 6, 2018
As a fiction novel this would be a great read. As a biography, the story is even more compelling! I would guess that many of us had never heard of Louise Arner Boyd until Joanna Kafarowski researched and then penned this remarkable book. Boyd was certainly a woman ahead of her time and today stands as a fine role model for young women. The amount of research and science-based knowledge that went into this is obvious, but Kafarowski's story-telling talents take us beyond the scientific and into the heart and psyche of Louise Arner Boyd. I highly recommend this book.
November 7, 2017
“The Polar Adventures of a Rich Dame: A Life of Louise Arner Boyd” by Joanna Kafarowski
An interesting biography of a woman whose interest in polar exploration began when she was younger via reading and research and something she carried into her adulthood.
Louise Arner Boyd was a billionaire who was fascinated by the Arctic more so than marriage and having children. She conducted 7 expeditions from the late 1920’s to the late 1940’s. She was meticulous in her studies, the scientists she brought along, the ship she secured as well as the crew. She paid for every aspect of the expedition and the newest and most reliable equipment for the men she took with her. She was not just an explorer, she also had knowledge in botany and some other areas of interest to herself and other scientist. But she would rather bring along specialists so that she could focus on her cinematography and photography. Over the years she accumulated thousands of pictures and film which proves to be as vital as the ecology, botany, sound wave measurements, and other specialties. Perhaps because she did pay for everything she had a very specific contract that all the scientists had to sign. That she could use their findings but they could not use their own findings without her explicit permission. It is unclear why she had this provision, but it was consistently written in all her contracts for all 7 of her expeditions.
When she returned from her time in the Arctic, not only would she gather all her pictures together to help with putting together topographical maps, but she also would write one or two books based upon her and the other scientists findings. She would often pay to have the books published and generally to rave reviews. In fact, during WWII, the area of the Arctic that she had continually explored was a hot button area and her books, pictures, and individual insight helped the War Department during that time.
Louise also received multiple awards and recognition for her findings, photographs, and for being one of the first women to ever explore in depth the areas of the Arctic which she did. She also received recognition for helping other ships that needed assistance, searching for lost explorers and other acts of bravery.
During the times she was not in the Arctic or traveling for her own leisure, Louise would attend to her multiple philanthropic duties, entertain friends, hold committee meetings at her home, as well as give lectures at different organizations in multiple countries.
The one final feat Louise wanted to do was to make it to the North Pole. Since she had never been able to make it there by ship, and despite her fear of flying, she was the first woman to fly to, over and to circle around the North Pole.
Her later years found her to be struggling financially. Thus, she had to sell her home, many of her family antiques as well as the artifacts she brought back from her visits to the Arctic. While she moved to an apartment and no longer had her staff she still had money problems which made addressing her multiple health issues more difficult. In time she was moved to a convalescent home and passed away two days before her 85th birthday.
Louise Arner Boyd lived a life of excitement, purpose, and just the way that she wanted to. While she was the last surviving member of her family and the Boyd family line, she carried both her name and that of the Boyd family into history books. While she may not be as well known and recognized in general, within her polar exploration and the study of the Arctic, she is well known and her work is still well received and utilized.
Joanna Kafarowski has written a captivating biography of a woman who deserves to be recognized for her achievements and accomplishments in the area of polar exploration. She presents a well written and concise history of Louise Arner Boyd. Interestingly, this is the first biography of a woman who was so well rewarded and well renowned in polar exploration, not just for her work and research, but for being the first woman to enter this area of study first hand and for doing so thoroughly and painstakingly.
A biography that is definitely worth a read.
Rating: 4.4
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this biography. All thoughts and comments are my own.
An interesting biography of a woman whose interest in polar exploration began when she was younger via reading and research and something she carried into her adulthood.
Louise Arner Boyd was a billionaire who was fascinated by the Arctic more so than marriage and having children. She conducted 7 expeditions from the late 1920’s to the late 1940’s. She was meticulous in her studies, the scientists she brought along, the ship she secured as well as the crew. She paid for every aspect of the expedition and the newest and most reliable equipment for the men she took with her. She was not just an explorer, she also had knowledge in botany and some other areas of interest to herself and other scientist. But she would rather bring along specialists so that she could focus on her cinematography and photography. Over the years she accumulated thousands of pictures and film which proves to be as vital as the ecology, botany, sound wave measurements, and other specialties. Perhaps because she did pay for everything she had a very specific contract that all the scientists had to sign. That she could use their findings but they could not use their own findings without her explicit permission. It is unclear why she had this provision, but it was consistently written in all her contracts for all 7 of her expeditions.
When she returned from her time in the Arctic, not only would she gather all her pictures together to help with putting together topographical maps, but she also would write one or two books based upon her and the other scientists findings. She would often pay to have the books published and generally to rave reviews. In fact, during WWII, the area of the Arctic that she had continually explored was a hot button area and her books, pictures, and individual insight helped the War Department during that time.
Louise also received multiple awards and recognition for her findings, photographs, and for being one of the first women to ever explore in depth the areas of the Arctic which she did. She also received recognition for helping other ships that needed assistance, searching for lost explorers and other acts of bravery.
During the times she was not in the Arctic or traveling for her own leisure, Louise would attend to her multiple philanthropic duties, entertain friends, hold committee meetings at her home, as well as give lectures at different organizations in multiple countries.
The one final feat Louise wanted to do was to make it to the North Pole. Since she had never been able to make it there by ship, and despite her fear of flying, she was the first woman to fly to, over and to circle around the North Pole.
Her later years found her to be struggling financially. Thus, she had to sell her home, many of her family antiques as well as the artifacts she brought back from her visits to the Arctic. While she moved to an apartment and no longer had her staff she still had money problems which made addressing her multiple health issues more difficult. In time she was moved to a convalescent home and passed away two days before her 85th birthday.
Louise Arner Boyd lived a life of excitement, purpose, and just the way that she wanted to. While she was the last surviving member of her family and the Boyd family line, she carried both her name and that of the Boyd family into history books. While she may not be as well known and recognized in general, within her polar exploration and the study of the Arctic, she is well known and her work is still well received and utilized.
Joanna Kafarowski has written a captivating biography of a woman who deserves to be recognized for her achievements and accomplishments in the area of polar exploration. She presents a well written and concise history of Louise Arner Boyd. Interestingly, this is the first biography of a woman who was so well rewarded and well renowned in polar exploration, not just for her work and research, but for being the first woman to enter this area of study first hand and for doing so thoroughly and painstakingly.
A biography that is definitely worth a read.
Rating: 4.4
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this biography. All thoughts and comments are my own.
September 21, 2023
Louise Boyd is 5 stars but the book is only 3.5. I am going to look for other writings that cover more of her life outside of her expeditions to the Arctic. Though polar exploration was undoubtedly her greatest passion, she made important contributions to the art and science of photography, was involved with many community causes in Marin and SF, and threw great parties. I want to learn more!
December 26, 2017
It takes a very special kind of writer who can capture the feelings and emotions of literature and turn it into biography. Joanna Kafarowski brings her unique talent to The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame, and in doing so transports us into the fascinating world of heiress Louise Arner Boyd, Polar Explorer and adventuress. This meticulously researched and beautifully written account takes us back to the early part of the twentieth century – extraordinary times when Karen Blixen was traveling Africa with a similar passion and verve, and women were staking their own claim upon travel exploration. Ms Kafarowski’s authoritative style moves us along at a great pace, full of detail but never pedantic, and as a result, brings us alongside the expeditions with a photographic clarity similar to Ms Boyd’s own creations. Although biographical non-fiction, I was reminded of another of my favorite reads – Nancy Horan’s “Under a Wide and Starry Sky” for its interesting perspectives on the characters. Ms Kafarowski is an excellent curator of a fascinating character, and I would highly recommend this book to any armchair traveler.
September 23, 2017
4 stars
Firstly I must say that the title of this book offends me. It’s demeaning.
That aside, this is a portrait of a determined and driven woman who knew exactly what she wanted and went about obtaining it. I couldn’t get a grasp on what kind of woman she was; whether she was friendly, kind or ?? That she was generous to her friends was obvious, but she had some very strict ideas about her expeditions; whether the scientists could publish, accept lecture invitations and use her photographs, that it seemed as though that wasn’t a too generous or kind attitude. Some of her shipmates liked her a great deal while others were deviously badmouthing her behind her back. This is spite of the contracts they all signed when they joined the expedition.
The descriptions of the arctic, its geography and seas were enthralling and colorful. I truly enjoyed these parts of the book – from the safety of my chair in my warm home. Louise Arner Boyd’s courage and pluck are without doubt.
I like many readers, hadn’t heard of her before and it was very nice to hear of her exploits and adventures in the arctic. I’ve been on a modern-day icebreaker, but to ride the ice and the seas in a wooden whip must have been both thrilling and terrifying. Frankly I don’t know how she did it.
One cannot speak to the quality of writing in a biography suffice it to say that it was easily accessible and pretty straightforward. The plotting of the book followed Louise’s life pretty faithfully. The characters were certainly interesting.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable biography for me to read and enjoy.
Firstly I must say that the title of this book offends me. It’s demeaning.
That aside, this is a portrait of a determined and driven woman who knew exactly what she wanted and went about obtaining it. I couldn’t get a grasp on what kind of woman she was; whether she was friendly, kind or ?? That she was generous to her friends was obvious, but she had some very strict ideas about her expeditions; whether the scientists could publish, accept lecture invitations and use her photographs, that it seemed as though that wasn’t a too generous or kind attitude. Some of her shipmates liked her a great deal while others were deviously badmouthing her behind her back. This is spite of the contracts they all signed when they joined the expedition.
The descriptions of the arctic, its geography and seas were enthralling and colorful. I truly enjoyed these parts of the book – from the safety of my chair in my warm home. Louise Arner Boyd’s courage and pluck are without doubt.
I like many readers, hadn’t heard of her before and it was very nice to hear of her exploits and adventures in the arctic. I’ve been on a modern-day icebreaker, but to ride the ice and the seas in a wooden whip must have been both thrilling and terrifying. Frankly I don’t know how she did it.
One cannot speak to the quality of writing in a biography suffice it to say that it was easily accessible and pretty straightforward. The plotting of the book followed Louise’s life pretty faithfully. The characters were certainly interesting.
I want to thank NetGalley and Dundurn for forwarding to me a copy of this remarkable biography for me to read and enjoy.
October 18, 2017
Joanna Kafarowski, author of “The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame,” captured me with this wonderful recounting of a daring woman of exploration. I’m embarrassed to admit that, as a rabid lover of all things polar and before reading this book, I’d never heard of Louise Arner Boyd. My introduction to a new cold weather friend is much appreciated.
The author, also passionate about the arctic, is uniquely qualified to comment on Boyd’s exploits. Kafarowski’s Doctorate in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies and a Masters in Geography, her publications, participation in expeditions, and memberships in many geographical societies give her a unique perspective into this amazing woman’s accomplishments. Her research and writing abilities have produced a biography that is long overdue.
Louise Arner Boyd (1887-1972) was a wealthy heiress that grew up just north of San Francisco. As a young girl she romped over the hills with her brothers engaged in outdoor adventures not common for a young girl at the time. When she lost her brothers to heart problems, and her parents a few years later, Boyd inherited the family fortune. With the inheritance she began traveling in the early 1920s, becoming particularly focused on the frozen seas off Greenland.
She eventually led a series of scientific expeditions to the coasts of Greenland in the 1930s where she photographed, surveyed, and collected hundreds of specimens. She personally led and financed these rugged excursions winning many international geographic awards. It should be noted that the explorations were not aboard luxury liners with plushy coziness. These were hazardous cold weather voyages in unheated ships with no creature comforts. The food was rough but hearty, the confines not heated, and bathing and sleeping were conducted in freezing conditions. Venturing outside onto the frozen sea or ice covered glaciers was to invite disaster, but outside was where she had to conduct her experiments.
She organized and financed seven trips between 1926 and 1941. The scope of the experiments conducted was enormous; cold weather communications, photography of land and sea ice, botanical collection, topographical surveys, echo sounding to establish water depths, tidal gauge recording, magnetic declination measurements. Her second voyage in 1928 was devoted to searching for the missing explorer, Roald Amundsen.
Boyd received many honors during her lifetime including from Norway, Sweden, France, and the American Geographical Society and honorary LLDs from UC and Mills College. At age 68, in 1955, she became the first woman to fly over the North Pole. Near the end of her life some bad investments and the spending of most of her fortune on explorations, forced Boyd to sell the family home in San Rafael along with all its furnishings. She died in San Francisco in 1972.
Do I want you to read this book? Absolutely.
October 1, 2017
A super book! Exciting story with fascinating characters. I enjoyed reading this book so much. Louise Arner Boyd was a larger than life individual who displayed courage and determination in following her dreams. She was a rich woman who could have stayed at home and enjoyed her wealth. She was very well-connected and active in society and was involved in many charities throughout her life. As well, she had another separate life- a double life apart from her California friends. Although she had only a limited education and no relatives to help her, she got involved in exploring the north. Starting with helping in the search for the important polar explorer Roald Amundsen who had gone missing, she continued to lead other polar expeditions for the rest of her life. I had never heard of Louise Arner Boyd before even though she was well known and respected by her explorer friends. She also received many awards from several countries. This book is well-written with lots of interesting photographs. It’s a great book for readers who like reading about polar exploration, biographies of interesting characters, history or adventure stories.
October 23, 2017
What a great find this book is! Louise Arner Boyd was an amazing and courageous woman who accomplished fantastic things in the Arctic. She may not have conquered the North Pole (like Peary or Cook depending on who you believe) or the South Pole (like Amundsen) but she was responsible for surveying, photographing and collecting important data on Greenland, discovering new geographic features above the Arctic Circle and providing vital information to the US military government during WWII. She was respected by her (male) peers- those other well-known explorers who have been written about so often. She received awards and honours from national governments and scientific organizations which recognized her importance as an explorer. The author is passionate about her subject and has done an excellent job in telling a fast-paced and intriguing story. She has certainly done her homework as this book was packed full of interesting details. And for a change, the maps in this book are superb and really add a lot to the story. Looking forward to this author's next book.
November 22, 2017
Joanna Kafarowski has definitely done her research. This is a carefully stitched-together account of a woman I had never heard of, yet who contributed so much to the field of polar exploration. Her personality is revealed through letters and anecdotes. How amazing for a woman in her day to be heading expeditions and therefore "bossing" the captain and crew. It was fascinating to see how different men responded to her, and to see her strengths and foibles on display. I admire any woman who can run around an iceberg doing serious research while dipping into her flask full of brandy! Thank you for this important contribution to the area of forgotten women of history, Ms. Kafarowski!
October 23, 2017
Exciting and inspiring! I couldn't put this book down. The author had me at "hello" with this book and she spun a well researched and incredible story of a brave and unusual woman who dared enter the world of polar exploration. Great read!
October 26, 2017
An enthralling and gripping story of one of the most interesting explorers you've never heard of! Well-written and well-researched with great maps. More stories of these fascinating women explorers please.
March 11, 2019
– GUSTARÁ:
A todos los lectores que aún mantengan el alma de explorador y que la digitalización imperante que nos ha tocado vivir no les haya hecho claudicar y colgar las botas con crampones. Gustará también a todos los que sueñan con encontrar un lugar salvaje, primigenio y virginal donde perderse a descubrir, experimentar y filosofar. Y, por supuesto, a aquellos que se rebelan contra todos los que les dicen que las hazañas que uno tiene en mente son imposibles.
– NO GUSTARÁ:
A los que prefieren contemplar la vida desde la placidez mullida de un sillón cercano a la chimenea. A los que se aburren leyendo biografías a las que les suponen menos nervio que una novela de ficción. Tampoco gustará a aquellos que si ven que su héroe no lleva barba y una mandíbula hercúlea quedan defraudados.
– LA FRASE:
“Estábamos luchando contra el tiempo. No solo cabía la posibilidad de que el hielo se cerrase tanto que nos fuera imposible salir de ahí aquel invierno, sino que también existía el peligro, aún mayor, de que el navío fueses rodeado y aplastado por bloques de hielo. Las manos de todos, incluidos los asistentes especiales, fueron puestas en acción, y con voluntad y ánimo manipularon los anclajes helados, saltando de bloque en bloque con el pesado equipo, e incrustando con el martillo los anclajes en el hielo, gracias a los cuales la nave consiguió la fuerza suficiente para tirar y empujar. Muchos de los bloques eran de la altura de la proa del Velekari, es decir, cuatro metros por encima del mar”. Louise Arner Boyd
– RESEÑA:
Ediciones Casiopea nos trae la obra La vida de Louise Arner Boyd. Aventuras árticas de una millonaria americana de Joanna Kafarowski. Traducida al español por David Álvarez y Rocío Flores. Siempre se ha dicho que el mundo de las biografías de las grandes figuras de la historia es un terreno literario muy específico, únicamente para lectores inquietos y de gustos muy concretos. Además, esta obra tiene el hándicap de la dificultad de poder llegar a un público al que se le ha ocultado, sin querer o intencionadamente, muchas figuras de primer nivel para enfocarse en otros perfiles. Hay múltiples razones; la de género es una de ellas, pero no la más importante. La que ha conseguido colocar a sus grandes leyendas en la primera línea ha sido, y será siempre, la publicidad, la promoción, la premiación y la inversión de los estados e instituciones públicas y privadas para que estas figuras aguanten el paso del tiempo frente al olvido. La historia la escriben los vencedores, pero también los que llegaron primero, ya que los segundos no cuentan (nadie se acuerda del segundo explorador que ascendió, cruzó a nado, halló, circunnavegó, atravesó o pereció en tal o cual aventura épica). Solamente los primeros escriben sus nombres con letras doradas en la historia, aun incluso cuando las batallas de otros aventureros tengan mucho más contenido literario. Hay países que han cuidado a sus pioneros descubridores, exploradores, científicos, inventores, etc. Otros, en cambio, les han dejado que se fueran diluyendo por los sótanos de las bibliotecas o por las vitrinas menos frecuentadas de los museos modernos.
Lo primero que podemos observar al tener este ejemplar entre las manos es el ingente trabajo de documentación en forma de notas, bibliografía, créditos fotográficos, apéndices, mapas, etc. Incluso, una nota de la propia autora nos invita a que si algún lector le pudiera aportar alguna información adicional de algún tipo (en concreto, las fotografías de Groenlandia, los cuadernos de expedición y de bitácora de Louis Arner Boyd que, en estos momentos se hallan desaparecidos) les estaría muy agradecida. Este trabajo tan minucioso nos hace ver con que finura Joanna Kafarowski ha diseccionado la vida de Louise Arner Boyd desde la objetividad de los datos biográficos que ha tenido que recopilar por toda Europa y América, pero, a la par, con un brioso tacto para la aventura de justo merecimiento para honrar la memoria de la exploradora. La manera de abordar la presente biografía por parte de la autora es de un efectismo narrativo notable. Al alternar, fundir y realzar todo el material documental sobre esta osada aventurera estadounidense la lectura no cansa ni aburre. El hilo argumental está tan bien tejido que nos podemos poner (casi) en las mentes de aquellas intrépidas expediciones que tomaron tanto riesgo por escrutar los confines de nuestro mundo. Allí, entre infinitas llanuras de mar y hielo, la protagonista hace su modus vivendi personal. Hay algo que tienen en común los grandes personajes que han culminado logros para la humanidad: la obsesión. Sin esta cualidad muchos habrían tirado la toalla a las primeras de cambio cuando vienen mal dadas (y siempre vienen, tarde o temprano). En estas odiseas que van más allá de la imaginación y de la fortaleza humana, los contratiempos y las penurias acosan por todos los frentes a estos modernos argonautas. Pero las dificultades no solamente vienen del medio natural sino, como veremos, también de las personas con las que la aventurera tiene que lidiar. Además, su condición de mujer y millonaria, le dota de un perfil complejo para indagar bajo la óptica y preceptos de aquellos tiempos y de aquellas gentes.
Así es, Louise Arner Boyd, fue una mujer millonaria, excéntrica dirían muchos. Su pasión obsesiva por la exploración fue lo que le llevó, muchos años después, a ser reconocida mundialmente por la comunidad científica y geográfica, pudiendo dejarnos su legado que ha llegado hasta nuestros días. Una mujer de principios del siglo XX, de familia acomodada pero, acorde con la época, de reglamentación patriarcal. Ella tuvo el arrojo, como ya leerán, de alzarse en reivindicaciones personales para convertirse en toda una pionera no solo en su género, ya que fue la primera en alcanzar muchos de los hitos del mundo de la exploración. Si bien es verdad que su fortuna y su educación le valieron para, en cierta medida, hacerse con las riendas de su destino sin grandes dependencias. Oportunidad que no hubiera tenido una mujer de otra condición social de su época. Pero, visto desde otra óptica, lo que llama la atención es que esta valiente mujer, en vez de sucumbir a los placeres de la alta sociedad, se calzara las botas de siete leguas y se entregara a una causa mucho mayor que la del esparcimiento y la ociosidad. Digamos que, teniéndolo todo, se quiso “complicar” la vida.
El empujón que le falta a esta aventurera es conseguir llegar a fijarse en la impronta del imaginario colectivo. Y esto, hoy en día, es muy difícil de conseguir sin llegar al apartado cinematográfico. Podemos poner como ejemplo la adaptación de The Terror del libro de Dan Simmons, que relata a su vez los sucesos que acaecieron en septiembre de 1847, donde dos barcos de la Armada británica, el HMS Erebus y el HMS Terror, bajo el mando de sir John Franklin, fueron a la búsqueda del paso del Noroeste, pero en las cercanías de la isla del Rey Guillermo quedaron atrapados en el hielo del Ártico. Las condiciones de supervivencia eran extremas, con temperaturas que superaban los cincuenta grados bajo cero, provisiones de comida escasas, el deterioro de los barcos o la llegada de las enfermedades. Además la extraña presencia de una criatura bestial y misteriosa hace que los hombres crean que se enfrentan a fuerzas sobrenaturales. El motín o el canibalismo planean sobre los supervivientes. También a destacar la adaptación al cine de sendos trabajos periodísticos de Jon Krakauer: Hacia rutas salvajes (Into the wild, Sean Penn, 2007) y Mal de altura (Everest, Baltasar Kormákur, 2015). En ambas, se narran sucesos de gran crudeza en un entorno natural idílico, pero cruel y castigador. Son precisamente estos trabajos llevados al mundo digital los que auparían a Louise Arner Boyd al lugar inmortal al que debería pertenecer en la memoria de la gente corriente, y no solo en la de los estudiosos y científicos.
Las aventuras árticas de esta millonaria americana bien podría ser una especie de La esfinge de los hielos de Julio Verne. Tenemos entre manos una biografía, pero no se engañen, aquí no estamos ante aburridos tejemanejes políticos en palacios, ni barrocos discursos filosóficos de personajes de renombre pasado. Aquí disfrutamos de una aventurera que fue más allá, que vio y pisó por primera vez tierras hasta la fecha inexploradas. De todo ello, Joanna Kafarowski ha hecho un excepcional trabajo de documentación servido con un estilo muy directo, didáctico e interesante. Ahora el mundo es cada vez más pequeño, pero hubo un tiempo en el que el espíritu de lo inexplorado se inoculó en la mente de un puñado de locos que lo llevaron a sus últimas consecuencias. Unos no volvieron y sus cuadernos de viaje se perdieron para siempre, otros sí, y esta es una de aquellas historias en blanco, mucho blanco infinito y negro, que pudo volver a casa para ser contada.
Reseña completa en forolibro.com
March 11, 2019
– GUSTARÁ:
A todos los lectores que aún mantengan el alma de explorador y que la digitalización imperante que nos ha tocado vivir no les haya hecho claudicar y colgar las botas con crampones. Gustará también a todos los que sueñan con encontrar un lugar salvaje, primigenio y virginal donde perderse a descubrir, experimentar y filosofar. Y, por supuesto, a aquellos que se rebelan contra todos los que les dicen que las hazañas que uno tiene en mente son imposibles.
– NO GUSTARÁ:
A los que prefieren contemplar la vida desde la placidez mullida de un sillón cercano a la chimenea. A los que se aburren leyendo biografías a las que les suponen menos nervio que una novela de ficción. Tampoco gustará a aquellos que si ven que su héroe no lleva barba y una mandíbula hercúlea quedan defraudados.
– LA FRASE:
“Estábamos luchando contra el tiempo. No solo cabía la posibilidad de que el hielo se cerrase tanto que nos fuera imposible salir de ahí aquel invierno, sino que también existía el peligro, aún mayor, de que el navío fueses rodeado y aplastado por bloques de hielo. Las manos de todos, incluidos los asistentes especiales, fueron puestas en acción, y con voluntad y ánimo manipularon los anclajes helados, saltando de bloque en bloque con el pesado equipo, e incrustando con el martillo los anclajes en el hielo, gracias a los cuales la nave consiguió la fuerza suficiente para tirar y empujar. Muchos de los bloques eran de la altura de la proa del Velekari, es decir, cuatro metros por encima del mar”. Louise Arner Boyd
– RESEÑA:
Ediciones Casiopea nos trae la obra La vida de Louise Arner Boyd. Aventuras árticas de una millonaria americana de Joanna Kafarowski. Traducida al español por David Álvarez y Rocío Flores. Siempre se ha dicho que el mundo de las biografías de las grandes figuras de la historia es un terreno literario muy específico, únicamente para lectores inquietos y de gustos muy concretos. Además, esta obra tiene el hándicap de la dificultad de poder llegar a un público al que se le ha ocultado, sin querer o intencionadamente, muchas figuras de primer nivel para enfocarse en otros perfiles. Hay múltiples razones; la de género es una de ellas, pero no la más importante. La que ha conseguido colocar a sus grandes leyendas en la primera línea ha sido, y será siempre, la publicidad, la promoción, la premiación y la inversión de los estados e instituciones públicas y privadas para que estas figuras aguanten el paso del tiempo frente al olvido. La historia la escriben los vencedores, pero también los que llegaron primero, ya que los segundos no cuentan (nadie se acuerda del segundo explorador que ascendió, cruzó a nado, halló, circunnavegó, atravesó o pereció en tal o cual aventura épica). Solamente los primeros escriben sus nombres con letras doradas en la historia, aun incluso cuando las batallas de otros aventureros tengan mucho más contenido literario. Hay países que han cuidado a sus pioneros descubridores, exploradores, científicos, inventores, etc. Otros, en cambio, les han dejado que se fueran diluyendo por los sótanos de las bibliotecas o por las vitrinas menos frecuentadas de los museos modernos.
Lo primero que podemos observar al tener este ejemplar entre las manos es el ingente trabajo de documentación en forma de notas, bibliografía, créditos fotográficos, apéndices, mapas, etc. Incluso, una nota de la propia autora nos invita a que si algún lector le pudiera aportar alguna información adicional de algún tipo (en concreto, las fotografías de Groenlandia, los cuadernos de expedición y de bitácora de Louis Arner Boyd que, en estos momentos se hallan desaparecidos) les estaría muy agradecida. Este trabajo tan minucioso nos hace ver con que finura Joanna Kafarowski ha diseccionado la vida de Louise Arner Boyd desde la objetividad de los datos biográficos que ha tenido que recopilar por toda Europa y América, pero, a la par, con un brioso tacto para la aventura de justo merecimiento para honrar la memoria de la exploradora. La manera de abordar la presente biografía por parte de la autora es de un efectismo narrativo notable. Al alternar, fundir y realzar todo el material documental sobre esta osada aventurera estadounidense la lectura no cansa ni aburre. El hilo argumental está tan bien tejido que nos podemos poner (casi) en las mentes de aquellas intrépidas expediciones que tomaron tanto riesgo por escrutar los confines de nuestro mundo. Allí, entre infinitas llanuras de mar y hielo, la protagonista hace su modus vivendi personal. Hay algo que tienen en común los grandes personajes que han culminado logros para la humanidad: la obsesión. Sin esta cualidad muchos habrían tirado la toalla a las primeras de cambio cuando vienen mal dadas (y siempre vienen, tarde o temprano). En estas odiseas que van más allá de la imaginación y de la fortaleza humana, los contratiempos y las penurias acosan por todos los frentes a estos modernos argonautas. Pero las dificultades no solamente vienen del medio natural sino, como veremos, también de las personas con las que la aventurera tiene que lidiar. Además, su condición de mujer y millonaria, le dota de un perfil complejo para indagar bajo la óptica y preceptos de aquellos tiempos y de aquellas gentes.
Así es, Louise Arner Boyd, fue una mujer millonaria, excéntrica dirían muchos. Su pasión obsesiva por la exploración fue lo que le llevó, muchos años después, a ser reconocida mundialmente por la comunidad científica y geográfica, pudiendo dejarnos su legado que ha llegado hasta nuestros días. Una mujer de principios del siglo XX, de familia acomodada pero, acorde con la época, de reglamentación patriarcal. Ella tuvo el arrojo, como ya leerán, de alzarse en reivindicaciones personales para convertirse en toda una pionera no solo en su género, ya que fue la primera en alcanzar muchos de los hitos del mundo de la exploración. Si bien es verdad que su fortuna y su educación le valieron para, en cierta medida, hacerse con las riendas de su destino sin grandes dependencias. Oportunidad que no hubiera tenido una mujer de otra condición social de su época. Pero, visto desde otra óptica, lo que llama la atención es que esta valiente mujer, en vez de sucumbir a los placeres de la alta sociedad, se calzara las botas de siete leguas y se entregara a una causa mucho mayor que la del esparcimiento y la ociosidad. Digamos que, teniéndolo todo, se quiso “complicar” la vida.
El empujón que le falta a esta aventurera es conseguir llegar a fijarse en la impronta del imaginario colectivo. Y esto, hoy en día, es muy difícil de conseguir sin llegar al apartado cinematográfico. Podemos poner como ejemplo la adaptación de The Terror del libro de Dan Simmons, que relata a su vez los sucesos que acaecieron en septiembre de 1847, donde dos barcos de la Armada británica, el HMS Erebus y el HMS Terror, bajo el mando de sir John Franklin, fueron a la búsqueda del paso del Noroeste, pero en las cercanías de la isla del Rey Guillermo quedaron atrapados en el hielo del Ártico. Las condiciones de supervivencia eran extremas, con temperaturas que superaban los cincuenta grados bajo cero, provisiones de comida escasas, el deterioro de los barcos o la llegada de las enfermedades. Además la extraña presencia de una criatura bestial y misteriosa hace que los hombres crean que se enfrentan a fuerzas sobrenaturales. El motín o el canibalismo planean sobre los supervivientes. También a destacar la adaptación al cine de sendos trabajos periodísticos de Jon Krakauer: Hacia rutas salvajes (Into the wild, Sean Penn, 2007) y Mal de altura (Everest, Baltasar Kormákur, 2015). En ambas, se narran sucesos de gran crudeza en un entorno natural idílico, pero cruel y castigador. Son precisamente estos trabajos llevados al mundo digital los que auparían a Louise Arner Boyd al lugar inmortal al que debería pertenecer en la memoria de la gente corriente, y no solo en la de los estudiosos y científicos.
Las aventuras árticas de esta millonaria americana bien podría ser una especie de La esfinge de los hielos de Julio Verne. Tenemos entre manos una biografía, pero no se engañen, aquí no estamos ante aburridos tejemanejes políticos en palacios, ni barrocos discursos filosóficos de personajes de renombre pasado. Aquí disfrutamos de una aventurera que fue más allá, que vio y pisó por primera vez tierras hasta la fecha inexploradas. De todo ello, Joanna Kafarowski ha hecho un excepcional trabajo de documentación servido con un estilo muy directo, didáctico e interesante. Ahora el mundo es cada vez más pequeño, pero hubo un tiempo en el que el espíritu de lo inexplorado se inoculó en la mente de un puñado de locos que lo llevaron a sus últimas consecuencias. Unos no volvieron y sus cuadernos de viaje se perdieron para siempre, otros sí, y esta es una de aquellas historias en blanco, mucho blanco infinito y negro, que pudo volver a casa para ser contada.
Reseña completa en forolibro.com
July 29, 2024
I am eager to read this book based on the author's article in the Feb. 14, 2019, Smithsonian. Women have often been left out of exploration stories (I'm thinking of Josephine Peary, who not only accompanied her husband on his polar expeditions, but gave birth to her first child less than 13 degrees from the North Pole—the first Caucasian baby to be born so far north), and it appears Joanna Kafarowski has taken on the task of correcting that oversight, not a simple task. So I look forward to getting and reading the book.
The article, however, states that mountaineer and geologist Noel Odell accompanied Boyd on one of her maritime expeditions, adding that Odell was "the only survivor of the tragic British Mount Everest Expedition of 1924." Actually a six-man team attempted to reach the summit of
Everest: Odell, Teddy Norton, Howard Somerville, Geoffrey Bruce, Andrew Irvine, and George Mallory. Only two, Mallory and Irvine, didn't survive. I'm not blaming Kafarowski for this oversight. Biographical nonfiction takes an inordinate amount of research and fact-checking (as do all published writings worth reading, I would think). It's why editors and proofreaders were so essential to reputable publishers in the 19th and 20th century. They helped the author to verify that, along with being succinctly written and grammatically correct, the information could be trusted to be correct--or at least as accurate as humanly possible. At some point, publishers realized that a few spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and inaccurate information didn't affect the bottom line, which has set up the situation of "let the reader beware." Dundurn Press appears to be a reputable publisher; it shouldn't tolerate such errors and shouldn't rely on the author to be an editor, as well.
The article, however, states that mountaineer and geologist Noel Odell accompanied Boyd on one of her maritime expeditions, adding that Odell was "the only survivor of the tragic British Mount Everest Expedition of 1924." Actually a six-man team attempted to reach the summit of
Everest: Odell, Teddy Norton, Howard Somerville, Geoffrey Bruce, Andrew Irvine, and George Mallory. Only two, Mallory and Irvine, didn't survive. I'm not blaming Kafarowski for this oversight. Biographical nonfiction takes an inordinate amount of research and fact-checking (as do all published writings worth reading, I would think). It's why editors and proofreaders were so essential to reputable publishers in the 19th and 20th century. They helped the author to verify that, along with being succinctly written and grammatically correct, the information could be trusted to be correct--or at least as accurate as humanly possible. At some point, publishers realized that a few spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, and inaccurate information didn't affect the bottom line, which has set up the situation of "let the reader beware." Dundurn Press appears to be a reputable publisher; it shouldn't tolerate such errors and shouldn't rely on the author to be an editor, as well.
December 18, 2017
Having read about Louise Arner Boyd in ‘Women of 4 Winds’ years ago, I couldn’t wait to read the first biography about her, by the modern-day polar scholar, geographer and explorer, Joanna Kafarowski. I enjoyed learning about Louise’s tom-boyish, yet privileged upbringing in San Rafael, CA, and how after losing her brothers in their teens, she was groomed to take over her father’s successful financial company in the early 1900s, which she did after he died. This was a man’s world, as was arctic exploration. Louise struggled to be taken seriously as a single woman in the male dominated world of polar exploration, sailing, as well as not being a college educated woman. Had she not been wealthy it would have no doubt been impossible for her to fund and run the several ship expeditions to the arctic. Louise not only led expeditions, but became an impressive photographer and some of her images were used by the American Geographical Society to make maps of previously unmapped areas of Greenland. Her Greenland knowledge led her to being employed by the US government during WWII. Even today her photographs of glaciers are being used to study climate change. Joanna interweaves photographs of places from Louise’s life and from today, and obviously visited the places in her research. It is a well-researched book and includes writings by Louise as well as some of her shipmates and their good, and sometimes bad, views of Louise. The book is a great addition to polar exploration as well as the history of woman explorers and brings to light this important figure in history. Highly recommended!
February 25, 2021
A very well researched and interesting bio, complete with maps and many photos from Louise Arner Boyd's seven trips to the Arctic. Her accomplishments, awards and decorations are outlined in full. Her mindset and motivations not so much. Though she financed and led her trips to the Arctic, there was relatively little said about her leadership style. Information on her personality and relations with the other members of the expeditions was mainly drawn from their diary entries and letters - rather than from hers. Little mention was made of how her status as a wealthy heiress may have influenced her relations with the other expedition members. Would have liked to have gained a clearer understanding of her personality and inner self but the author didn't really delve into these areas.
June 24, 2022
I always try to read a couple books about strong women explorers each year, and this was one I had bookmarked a while ago to read at some point. Little did I know Louise was a local girl! I've spent many an afternoon in Boyd Memorial Park, and driven by Maple Lawn countless times. Such a treat to also learn more of my local history as well - looking forward to visiting the SF Maritime Museum and Marin History Museum when they reopen to see her maps and artifacts. The author definitely took some license at times, but it's clear they did so much research and were incredibly passionate about this project. This book was just a lovely surprise to me.
May 4, 2022
Excellent biography
Not knowing much about the subject of the book I was quite fascinated with her story. The author writes a very well researched tome providing a plethora of photographs for the reader . Her life story is told in a very readable manner . The book is well worth acquiring if you wish to learn about this female polar explorer.
Not knowing much about the subject of the book I was quite fascinated with her story. The author writes a very well researched tome providing a plethora of photographs for the reader . Her life story is told in a very readable manner . The book is well worth acquiring if you wish to learn about this female polar explorer.
December 29, 2020
Overall, I found Louise Boyd’s life very interesting-but at times the specifics of each expedition were a bit overwhelming. The Norwegian and Dutch names and locations were not memorable. I liked the beginning and the summation of her life at the end, but the middle dragged.
December 17, 2021
Interesting book about a polar adventure. Funny how even back then, rich folks just set off to do things that they were not qualified to do (now it's space, back then, the seas, Greenland, etc). I loved the photos and the historical stories within. A good read.
January 26, 2022
This well-researched biography of Louise Arner Boyd is a must-read for any polar enthusiast desperate to learn more about 20th century Arctic exploration. The many excerpts from field diaries and letters make the text especially interesting and lively.
November 14, 2023
My friend recommended this book. This adventurous lady Explorer took 27,000 feet of photographs and contributed to National Geographic and intelligence agencies long ago. What a wonderful, exciting book!
January 19, 2022
Fascinating and short about a woman who didn't have much education on science but knew what she wanted from her life and made it happen.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews