Edward J. Larson: Scott, Amundsen and Science: The 100th Anniversary of Robert Falcon Scott Reaching the South Pole January 17, 2012

Edward J. Larson, Visiting Professor of Law, Stanford University; University Professor of History, Pepperdine University

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Larson is a master of the history of science and exploration. He now delves into the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, which culminated 100 years ago when Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott reached the South Pole within five weeks of each other.

Displaying remarkable planning and execution, Amundsen's polar party returned safely and quickly. Scott and his men died on their long struggle back. Initially lionized as a tragic hero, Scott is now widely portrayed as a bungler whose vanity and poor planning doomed his party.

Larson seeks to restore some balance to his image by looking at the role of science in his polar expeditions and comparing it with the single-minded focus of Amundsen's pursuit of the pole. Scott may have been trying to do too much on his expeditions, posits Larson, at least as compared to Amundsen, but both explorers nevertheless left a lasting legacy in Antarctic research and discovery.

Location: SF Club Office
Time: 5:30 p.m. networking, 6 p.m. program, 7 p.m. book signing

Official Website: http://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/2012-01-17/edward-j-larson-100th-anniversary-robert-falcon-scott-reaching-south-pole