Scott and Amundsen, by Roland Huntford (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £14.99 in UK), is a throughly researched book which vividly chronicles the race to be first to the South Pole. It is an epic adventure story. It brilliantly contrasts how Amundsen, from the newly independent Norway, won the race through planning, attention to detail, avoidance of risks, dog-driving and inspiring leadership. In contrast, Scott, representing the Empire, ignored the experience of previous explorers and conducted little or no pre-expedition training or research. He relied on the tradition of expediency and improvisation and believed in the virtue of doing things the hard way. Amundsen's victory ended the classical age of Polar exploration and one of the greatest snow journeys ever made.