
The Explorer and the Journalist
Frederick Cook, Philip Gibbs and the Scandal that Shocked the World
Richard Evans(Author)
The History Press Ltd
Published on 25. May 2023
Book
Hardback
978-1-80399-193-1 (ISBN)
Description
On 1 September 1909, American explorer Frederick Cook caused one of the biggest sensations in exploration history when, after a year with no word from him, news arrived that he had not only survived his Arctic expedition but had become the first person to ever reach the North Pole.
Cook was instantly transformed into one of the heroes of the age. With his boat due to arrive in Copenhagen a few days later, journalists from across Europe scrambled to get there in time to meet him.
One of them was Philip Gibbs, an obscure British reporter whose chance encounter in a Copenhagen cafe led to an exclusive interview with Cook before he reached land. But the interview left Gibbs doubting the explorer's story, and so he decided to gamble his career and credibility by making it clear he thought Cook was lying. And so began a frantic few days when Cook was showered with accolades while Gibbs tried to prove his claim was a fraud.
The Explorer and the Journalist is the extraordinary story of a high-stakes confrontation from which only one of Gibbs and Cook would emerge with their reputation intact.
Cook was instantly transformed into one of the heroes of the age. With his boat due to arrive in Copenhagen a few days later, journalists from across Europe scrambled to get there in time to meet him.
One of them was Philip Gibbs, an obscure British reporter whose chance encounter in a Copenhagen cafe led to an exclusive interview with Cook before he reached land. But the interview left Gibbs doubting the explorer's story, and so he decided to gamble his career and credibility by making it clear he thought Cook was lying. And so began a frantic few days when Cook was showered with accolades while Gibbs tried to prove his claim was a fraud.
The Explorer and the Journalist is the extraordinary story of a high-stakes confrontation from which only one of Gibbs and Cook would emerge with their reputation intact.
Reviews / Votes
'Excellent.' * <i>British Journalism Review</i> * 'Richard Evans writes in a factual but addictive manner that reels you in.' * <i>Nimrod</i> journal * 'Gripping.' * <i>Daily Express</i> *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Illustrations
17 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 236 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
494 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80399-193-1 (9781803991931)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Richard Evans
The Explorer and the Journalist
Frederick Cook, Philip Gibbs and the Scandal that Shocked the World
E-Book
05/2023
The History Press Ltd
€1.49
Available for download
Person
Richard Evans is a former journalist, having written for The Times, the Guardian, the BBC, among others. He is the author of From the Frontline: The Extraordinary Life of Sir Basil Clarke (THP, 2013)