The book provides an in-depth context to the first expedition which Robert Scott undertook in 1901. It details the roles which Sir Clements Markham, Sir John Murray, Armitage and Nansen played in the materialisation of Scott's first expedition to the Antarctic, and the troubles they had to overcome before, for example, the building and designing of the ship and finding the money necessary to fund what was an expensive journey. Additionally, it talks of the troubles faced during the expedition itself, for example, the rocky and unpredictable landscape encountered. Graphs, maps and black and white photographs of ships, the crew and scenery are included throughout the book.