Robert Dunn (2) (1877–1955)

"The Shameless Diary of an Explorer" is Robert Dunn's record of his travels with the inept Frederick Cook as they attempted (and failed) to climb Denali, North America's highest peak.

Dunn's work is a no holds barred description of the bumbling expedition and a fabulous look at Cook's character (he later made now discredited claims to have been the first to climb Denali and reach the North Pole.) I really enjoyed this aspect of the book.

However, I gave this a low rating because I found it show more difficult to read due to Dunn's antisemitism toward one of the members of the expedition and the brutality shown toward the pack horses. It's a shame because otherwise this book would have been an enjoyable read. show less

If you have ever read exploration books and wondered what really happened on the expedition, read this. It was written by a young priveledged man on a 1903 McKinley expedition.
He pulls no punches in his descriptions of bushwacking through Alaskan wilderness with the brush, mud, and killer mosquitos. He pulls no punches in describing the interactions with his companions.
This book is so descriptive. And alive. With all his predjudices showing.