PREFACE 



There have been many books written on the subject of 

 Arctic Exploration, chiefly historical works. But, in many 

 respects, we believe " The White World " will be found 

 by its readers to be something unique in Polar literature. 

 Twenty-two famous living explorers have given their per- 

 sonal experiences, and have described what interested 

 them most in the Far North, that great region of silence 

 and mystery. The articles are, so to speak, human docu- 

 ments, in which are embodied all the pathos, all the humor, 

 all the tragedy of the expeditions, which, with extra- 

 ordinary courage and amidst unparalleled sufferings, have 

 attempted to reach the North Pole. It is the universal 

 testimony of all who have been there, that the great glitter- 

 ing waste of ice and snow possesses a peculiar and inde- 

 scribable fascination. In the belief that the same fascina- 

 tion may exist for the reader of these experiences, as well 

 as the real actor in them, this book has been compiled and 

 is confidently offered to the public with a full belief in its 

 value and its entertaining qualities. 



Acknowledgment is made to Albert Operti for the use of 

 original paintings and drawings, to A. P. Rogers and G. 

 W. Picknell for drawings, and to Hon. J. D. Dewell, 

 Prof. L. C. Stone, Rev. C. B. Carpenter, C. F. Wyckoff, 

 and F. B. Wright for photographs furnished. 



