Michael Smith (3) (1946–)
Author of An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor
For other authors named Michael Smith, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Michael Smith has been a business and political journalist in Britain for thirty years, working for national newspapers such as the Guardian and The Observer. Smith's fascination with Tom Crean began when, as a schoolboy, he read of Scott's ill-fated final expedition. He decided to write his show more biography when he met Teddy Evans' granddaughter. "I'm only here because of Tom Crean," she told him. Smith now writes full-time on polar history and currently lives in London show less
Works by Michael Smith
Icebound In The Arctic: The Mystery of Captain Francis Crozier and the Franklin Expedition (2021) 27 copies, 2 reviews
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Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Smith, Mick
- Birthdate
- 1946
- Gender
- male
- Short biography
- Michael Smith is an author and journalist who specialises in the history of Polar exploration. He has written books on Polar history for adult audiences and children, lectured extensively and contributed to a wide range of television and radio programmes, newspapers, magazines and websites.
Michael’s first book, An Unsung Hero – Tom Crean Antarctic Survivor (2000) was short-listed for the Banff Mountain Book Festival 2002. His other books are: I Am Just Going Outside – Captain Oates (2002); Sir James Wordie – Polar Crusader (2004); Captain Francis Crozier – Last Man Standing? (2006); Tom Crean – An Illustrated Life (2006) was shortlisted for the Irish Published Book of the Year 2007. He has also written two books for children: Tom Crean – Iceman (2003); Shackleton – The Boss (2004).
Michael is regular public speaker on Polar history and has given talks at many leading venues, including:
MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM, Liverpool;
NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM CORNWALL, Falmouth;
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND, Dublin;
QUEENS UNIVERSITY, Belfast;
ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, London;
SCOTT POLAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE, Cambridge;
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, Cork.
Michael is a regular visitor to schools and libraries and has frequently participated in the annual Children's Book Festival, Ireland and other events aimed at younger readers.
Michael began writing books in the late 1990s after more than 30 years as an award-winning journalist covering business and political issues. His posts included: Industrial Editor and Political Correspondent, The Guardian; City Editor, Evening Standard; Business Editor, The Observer.
http://www.micksmith.co.uk/about-the-... - Nationality
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Reviews
The image from I Am Just Going Outside that remains with me is Roald Amundsen actually gaining weight during his ski back from the South Pole. It makes all the horrific suffering of his British counterparts during their doomed return, along with all the ensuing mythologizing, seem needless, hollow and infinitely more sad.
In the case of Lawrence "Titus" Oates, one feels the sadness even more deeply, since he had no real business being on that polar team: he was lame, unwell, his role with show more the ponies was done, and he both detested and mistrusted the leader of the expedition, Robert Falcon Scott. Michael Smith gives a chronological account of Oates' life that sheds some light on arguably the most intriguing member of Scott's Terra Nova expedition. Unfortunately in his framing of Oates' actions, he takes "honour" at face value instead of scrutinizing it as a poor substitute for good judgement.
When I look at photos from this expedition, I am drawn to two faces: Scott and Oates. In the case of Oates, the book confirms what his photos hint at: that he was highly charismatic. This charisma, however, was not accompanied by any larger sense of vocation or responsibility. Within his immediate sphere, Oates' sense of duty was rigid and formidable, but beyond that sphere he was curiously and profoundly passive.
Smith has a revelation for the reader that he leaves until the last chapter. It is not clear why he chooses to sequester it entirely from all other elements of Oates' life, but in doing so he undermines his biography and effectively downplays the incident. Smith claims that at the age of 19 years, Oates had sex with an 11 year old girl, and at the age of 12, that girl gave birth to their daughter. If true, and the case is convincingly made, this was an ugly and thoughtless act on the young man's part. Yet Smith's only observation about what it tells us of Oates is that he "was a very honourable man and if he had been aware of the child's existence, it is improbable that he would have wilfully abandoned her". It seems Smith's standard for honour is desperately low. He titillates with the reveal but does none of the work to integrate it and reconcile it with what else we know about Oates. Smith should have included this information within the chronology of Oates' life, and together with the reader, explored what it has to tell us about the man that Oates was and who he became.
As it stands, I Am Just Going Outside is not a hagiography, but it leans in that direction. Fully integrating Oates' sexual misconduct into the biography would have been a potent corrective to this tendency. We are not solely defined by our worst acts, nor by our best ones, but from a biographical perspective, both merit the kind of attention that Smith reserves exclusively for Oates' finer moments. The reimagined truth lies somewhere in the messy in between and there should lie the effort and reward of good biography. show less
In the case of Lawrence "Titus" Oates, one feels the sadness even more deeply, since he had no real business being on that polar team: he was lame, unwell, his role with show more the ponies was done, and he both detested and mistrusted the leader of the expedition, Robert Falcon Scott. Michael Smith gives a chronological account of Oates' life that sheds some light on arguably the most intriguing member of Scott's Terra Nova expedition. Unfortunately in his framing of Oates' actions, he takes "honour" at face value instead of scrutinizing it as a poor substitute for good judgement.
When I look at photos from this expedition, I am drawn to two faces: Scott and Oates. In the case of Oates, the book confirms what his photos hint at: that he was highly charismatic. This charisma, however, was not accompanied by any larger sense of vocation or responsibility. Within his immediate sphere, Oates' sense of duty was rigid and formidable, but beyond that sphere he was curiously and profoundly passive.
Smith has a revelation for the reader that he leaves until the last chapter. It is not clear why he chooses to sequester it entirely from all other elements of Oates' life, but in doing so he undermines his biography and effectively downplays the incident. Smith claims that at the age of 19 years, Oates had sex with an 11 year old girl, and at the age of 12, that girl gave birth to their daughter. If true, and the case is convincingly made, this was an ugly and thoughtless act on the young man's part. Yet Smith's only observation about what it tells us of Oates is that he "was a very honourable man and if he had been aware of the child's existence, it is improbable that he would have wilfully abandoned her". It seems Smith's standard for honour is desperately low. He titillates with the reveal but does none of the work to integrate it and reconcile it with what else we know about Oates. Smith should have included this information within the chronology of Oates' life, and together with the reader, explored what it has to tell us about the man that Oates was and who he became.
As it stands, I Am Just Going Outside is not a hagiography, but it leans in that direction. Fully integrating Oates' sexual misconduct into the biography would have been a potent corrective to this tendency. We are not solely defined by our worst acts, nor by our best ones, but from a biographical perspective, both merit the kind of attention that Smith reserves exclusively for Oates' finer moments. The reimagined truth lies somewhere in the messy in between and there should lie the effort and reward of good biography. show less
Icebound In The Arctic: The Mystery of Captain Francis Crozier and the Franklin Expedition by Michael Smith
The story mostly revolves around the under-recognized explorer, Francis Crozier, an Irishman and member of the Royal Navy, who during the 19th century made over 5 polar expeditions. Crozier’s character was discussed at some length, fairly and without a great deal of partiality though it had been suggested that he didn't take the place he deserved in Arctic exploration history because of his humble beginnings. Franklin, on the other hand, was almost Crozier's exact opposite. Franklin’s show more various ventures had never ended well, and although genial, friendly and popular he was clearly not the seaman that Crozier was, his Arctic experience was woefully out of date, and he was an overweight 59 years old, which was years older than 59 would be considered today. It seems, as the author writes, that Franklin was given command of the expedition because everyone "felt sorry" for him following his unpleasant time and unfair treatment as Governor of Tasmania, combined with the relentless lobbying of his formidable wife. I think she just wanted him out of her way. Another individual was given the task of choosing the crew and outfitting the ship which turned out to be a very bad choice when he appointed Franklin as second in command. Over the nearly 180 years the "WHAT IF'S" have made more than one round though several generations of seamen. Would things have turned out different if Crozier had had more command and authority, or if a different route had been chosen? We will never know. Papers found later described all the trouble they ran into with the storms and the ice, the damage to one of the supply ships that had to be cut loose. Fritzjames, the man allowed to pick the crew and set the route had no Arctic experience whatsoever and neither did most of the men he chose. Can we say, "disaster going somewhere to happen"? The reader will find no stunning insights because Crozier wasn't a man to leave emotional materials behind, but the author did his homework and gathered enough of his letters and traces that we can get a genuine feel for the man. Although I watched The Terror when it was televised, this book is as far from my reading interest as the Earth is from the sun...but I found that I truly enjoyed the adventure and seeing Francis Crozier get his well-earned rewards even if they were over 100 years late. show less
F. R. M. Crozier was born with one great advantage: His mind. He was born with two great disadvantages: His family -- and his mind.
The family disadvantage was more obvious. Frank Crozier, the Irishman, joined the British navy at a young age -- and, lacking family connections, found it hard to rise. This even though he quickly proved himself a more competent officer than many of those with better "blood."
As the years passed, he also developed a specialty: The Arctic. Other than his friend and show more commander, James Clark Ross, he was the best Arctic expert the British Navy had. That competence earned him a lunar crater and a place in the Royal Society. It didn't earn him promotion or recognition.
And that's where his mind held him back. Frank Crozier was an introvert, and he clearly suffered from more than a touch of depression. He couldn't speak for himself; his accomplishments had to do it. And, in a navy that was a tight little social club, accomplishments didn't speak all that loudly. As Crozier got older, and found it impossible to marry, and began to fall in love with women who were simply beyond his reach, he became more and more depressed.
Finally, he was chosen second-in-command of Sir John Franklin's Northwest Passage expedition. This was a strange, tossed-together affair. Crozier and Franklin got along well, even though Crozier was in love with Franklin's niece, but Crozier went to the Arctic in despair. 129 men went to the ice. Crozier may have been the only one who didn't want to make it back. When Franklin died, Crozier took charge. Given the mental state shown in his last letters, he may not have been up to the task. And, indeed, no one on the expedition survived.
This well-told book cannot read Frank Crozier's soul. We do not know, and probably will never know, exactly what happened. But if you want to make your own guesses, all the information you will need is here. show less
The family disadvantage was more obvious. Frank Crozier, the Irishman, joined the British navy at a young age -- and, lacking family connections, found it hard to rise. This even though he quickly proved himself a more competent officer than many of those with better "blood."
As the years passed, he also developed a specialty: The Arctic. Other than his friend and show more commander, James Clark Ross, he was the best Arctic expert the British Navy had. That competence earned him a lunar crater and a place in the Royal Society. It didn't earn him promotion or recognition.
And that's where his mind held him back. Frank Crozier was an introvert, and he clearly suffered from more than a touch of depression. He couldn't speak for himself; his accomplishments had to do it. And, in a navy that was a tight little social club, accomplishments didn't speak all that loudly. As Crozier got older, and found it impossible to marry, and began to fall in love with women who were simply beyond his reach, he became more and more depressed.
Finally, he was chosen second-in-command of Sir John Franklin's Northwest Passage expedition. This was a strange, tossed-together affair. Crozier and Franklin got along well, even though Crozier was in love with Franklin's niece, but Crozier went to the Arctic in despair. 129 men went to the ice. Crozier may have been the only one who didn't want to make it back. When Franklin died, Crozier took charge. Given the mental state shown in his last letters, he may not have been up to the task. And, indeed, no one on the expedition survived.
This well-told book cannot read Frank Crozier's soul. We do not know, and probably will never know, exactly what happened. But if you want to make your own guesses, all the information you will need is here. show less
It's really refreshing to get a different kind of perspective on the doomed Franklin Expedition. A biographical sketch of the man who the expedition fell to after Franklin perished. He was the man that made the decision to attempt the unfathomable trek through the Arctic south to save his crew. You really get a sense of the man, a seasoned polar explorer who's melancholy career in the Navy as well as his personal life led him to make the fateful mistake of taking on this voyage. I very much show more enjoyed the narrative that shed new light to me on this subject. show less
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