This book is dedicated to

Captain Roald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen (1872–1928)

Master Mariner, Arctic & Antarctic explorer, first through the North-West Passage (1903–1907), first to the South Pole (14 December 1911), First to be awarded a Federation Aeronautic Internationale (Norge) aviators certificate (18 September 1915), third through the North-East Passage (1918–1920), first to circumnavigate the globe above the Arctic Circle (1903–1907 & 1918–1920), furthest North by air (22 May 1925), first to the North Pole (12 May 1926), first to cross the Arctic Ocean (11 May–14 May 1926), innovator, author, lecturer, leader of men, statesman, citizen of an independent Norway.