iv PREFACE 



Dr. Cook is referred to in complimentary terms in some pages of this 

 book. These titles were justly applied to him, for he had been on numerous 

 hazardous expeditions and was generally accepted as a man of unquestioned 

 reputation and veracity. After announcing that he had climbed Mount 

 McKinley in Alaska his book was issued by one of our best known publishers, 

 and was credited almost without exception. It was only after his return from 

 his North Polar expedition that scientific men began to investigate more 

 thoroughly the accuracy of his report of the Mount McKinley expedition. 



To have as part of the subject matter of a book the meteoric career of a 

 man who had in a few weeks climbed to the dizziest heights and suddenly been 

 overwhelmed with disgrace is to furnish a story which can scarcely be equalled 

 for absorbing interest. Cook's sensational exploit in humbugging the world 

 will always be conspicuous in the history of North Polar search, and as an 

 important part of such a history it is given here in full. 



Commander Peary's glorious achievement, which is fully recounted in 

 this volume, stands out in renewed brilliancy by the side of Cook's attempt to 

 steal his honors from him, and the immeasurable honor of having discovered 

 the North Pole still belongs to an American. As a valuable and necessary 

 background to the deeds of our courageous countryman, a complete history of 

 Arctic exploration is given in this book and will be of permanent interest and 

 importance. THE PUBLISHERS. 



