I am indebted to Douglas Russell for his generosity and kindness in sharing his discovery of Murray Levick’s unpublished paper with me and for providing me with the key ingredient needed for any story: access. Douglas is also an expert on Apsley Cherry-Garrard and his insights have been a considerable help.
I am equally indebted to Richard Kossow for his trust and support of me: without it, this book simply would not exist. His deep love and respect for the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration has ensured that many treasures, including those of Murray Levick, have been preserved for the benefit of all of us.
I thank the librarians at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, the Queen Elizabeth II Library at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, The Keep of the East Sussex Records Office, the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington and the Port Chalmers Library for helping me with access to archived materials. Justin Warwick at the British Exploring Society kindly offered me unfettered access to their archives. The Antarctic Heritage Trust in Christchurch provided me with details concerning the discovery of Levick’s photography notebook under the hut at Cape Evans. Dr Geir Kløver of the Fram Museum in Oslo was exceptionally generous both in terms of his time and in sharing his extensive knowledge of polar exploration. Meredith Hooper, an expert on the Northern Party, helped me figure out some crucial details.
Roger and Judith Kingwill, Mike and Margaret Wilson, and Michael Downes were instrumental in making my stay in Budleigh Salterton a pleasant and productive one, as well as providing key details about Murray Levick and his family. My good friends, Andy and Sarah Wroot, kindly put up with me imposing upon them while I was in the UK conducting research.
Rodney Russ of Heritage Expeditions generously took me to the Ross Sea area on the Shokalskiy in order that I might follow in the “footsteps” of Murray Levick. I am especially thankful to the Stuart Residence Halls Council at the University of Otago for giving me the means and support necessary for researching this book. I am also indebted to my many students and postdoctoral fellows who have contributed to my research over four decades: thank you all!
Russell Galen, my literary agent and best critic, has been relentless in pushing me in ways that have improved my writing and, in particular, this story, and for that I am forever grateful. Jessica Case, my editor at Pegasus Books, has been a wonderful champion for this book and much of its “feel” owes a lot to her touch. Drew Wheeler provided expert input as a copy editor.
My partner, Wiebke Finkler, has provided me with the most essential and most appreciated ingredient for this book: her love and support, which has allowed me to take the endless hours from the family that it has, inevitably, exacted. Finally, I thank my children—Daniel, Kelsey, and Eligh—for their love and support: the best legacy a guy could ever have.