” Barrows Boy`s” records the history of British exploration in the first half of the 19th century, examining events in the Arctic, Antarctic, Australia & West Africa. Fleming dusts down the surreal & unrepeatable adventures of a host of remarkable individuals. Behind all of the events lies Sir John Barrow, who provided the inspiration, drive & support for these expeditions. The book begins with disaster, when an expedition is wiped out in Africa, & wanders through tragedy & triumph to end with another disaster, when an expedition is wiped out in the Arctic. Everything about the expeditions is wrong. The orders, ships, supplies, methods & funding are incorrect & even the results are worthless (The Antarctic turned out to be a hostile lump of ice, Northern Australia was far too inhospitable to become a second Singapore & Timbuctoo proved to be just a collection of mud huts). Yet Barrow`s legacy is hugely important
- such was his influence that Roald Amundsen cited Barrow as an inspiration. Fleming`s accounts are thoroughly researched & vividly told in an entertaining, blackly comic style ensuring that the book remains absolutely compelling.