Overview

Since 2010 Tim Foley has been the driving force of a campaign to honour a man with a remarkable story. Tom Crean, the subject of the new book 'Crean -The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero, ' was born and raised a few miles away from the author's father, on the breathtaking Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Tim's narrative in this standalone biography is based on many years of research and study into the life of Crean, who joined the Navy at 16-years-old and who embarked upon a career that saw him become a member of three major, pioneering Polar expeditions of the 20th century. The story commences in late 19th century Ireland under the governance of the British Empire and continues through Crean's career in the Royal Navy whilst serving under the leadership of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton over the course of three Antarctic expeditions, Discovery, 1901-1904, Terra Nova, 1910-1913 and Endurance, 1914-1916. After serving an unhappy apprenticeship under the strict governance of the Navy, in 1894 Tom Crean found himself travelling on his first seagoing assignment at the age of 17. His destination, the Americas where he would serve on the Pacific Station, the most extensive area under the governance of the British Empire. Immediately he was thrust into a major international incident. It sparked another miserable period of his Naval career and resulted in demotions until an opportunity arose that would lead him to the place where he became best associated with - Antarctica. Crean found his true calling during the heroic age of exploration on the frozen continent. Four of the chapters in the book focus on documented tales of Crean's remarkable heroism that brought about the life-saving rescue of 25 of his colleagues over three separate occasions. We are then taken through to Crean's retirement and his return to a changed country in the aftermath of rebellion and in the midst of a War of Independence that came at a great personal loss to Tom Crean. The book goes on to question why and how Crean's story was largely forgotten during his lifetime and after his death and reveals the surprising source of the first ever documented account of Crean's Polar feats that was written in 1952. Born in 1877, the son of a farmer into an impoverished life in County Kerry, Ireland, Tom Crean's tale is one of suffering. successes and sadness but above all, it's a story of an unassuming man who displayed unparalleled bravery to save the lives of others whilst subject to the harshest conditions on the planet. In a recent review of the book by Jennifer FitzGerald, a former Senior Lecturer of Queen's University, Belfast, she stated: Essential to our understanding of Crean's life and experience is the detailed account Foley gives of his entire naval career. The author is scrupulous in referencing all information while at the same time maintaining the flow of the narrative. Each chapter presents Crean's extraordinary feats as an unbroken story, with a final note indicating the multiple sources from which it is derived. Crean's post-Antarctic life is chronicled with the support of reliable oral history; newspaper accounts throw a light on how Crean negotiated his Irish identity over a period of great political change. The production values of this volume are striking: illustrations by Egle Gostautaite, impressive layout, chapter title pages supported by epigraphs, photographs, news clippings and sidebars. Comprehensive endnotes, bibliography and index facilitate the reader intent on further research.

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9781999918989

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Reviews

Jennifer FitzGerald, a former Senior Lecturer of Queen's University, Belfast: Essential to our understanding of Crean's life and experience is the detailed account Foley gives of his entire naval career. The author is scrupulous in referencing all information while at the same time maintaining the flow of the narrative. Each chapter presents Crean's extraordinary feats as an unbroken story, with a final note indicating the multiple sources from which it is derived. Crean's post-Antarctic life is chronicled with the support of reliable oral history; newspaper accounts throw a light on how Crean negotiated his Irish identity over a period of great political change. The production values of this volume are striking: illustrations by Egle Gostautaite, impressive layout, chapter title pages supported by epigraphs, photographs, news clippings and sidebars. Comprehensive endnotes, bibliography and index facilitate the reader intent on further research. Lorraine Kelly, UK TV Presenter Tom Crean is one of the giants of the heroic age of polar exploration and this brilliant book brings his story vividly to life and gives everyone a chance to discover a man trusted by Scott and Shackleton. If you were in trouble you would want Tom Crean by your side. Ado99, Amazon Verified Purchase Tim Foley's beautifully written and well structured account of this true Irish hero is both fascinating and inspiring. From the dramatic mountains of west Kerry, to the empty wastes of the Antarctic ice cap, Tom Crean's life is an account of pure bravery and an unrelenting desire to explore - a real page-turner. Sarah Barnard, Polar Artist, Edinburgh, UK I've been interested in polar exploration for so many years, but I really didn't know much about Tom Crean. This book is a fantastic portrait of a brilliant man and I enjoyed it so much that I'm starting another read today Sam, UK, Amazon Verified Purchase ' This is the definitive account of Tom Crean's life.The author captures the enigmatic qualities of Tom Crean and this is a book to be treasured Adrian, UK, Amazon Verified Purchase For anyone new to Crean's incredible story then this really is a compelling and riveting read Kelsey Deanne, Film Producer/Actor, USA Absolutely amazing book about #Tomcrean - Antarctic explorer who served under #Shackleton and Scott, saved many lives and a Kerryman Irishman. Well done author Tim Foley. Makes me proud to have Irish DNA Thank you for writing this amazing book to share with the world! Peter Keenan, Wicklow, Ireland A fantastic book and difficult to put down Michelle McCann, Donegal, Ireland I have just finished reading Crean and I have to tell you that I just loved it. Beautifully written. Thank you and congratulations for capturing the essence of the man and the times that he lived in. MaryAnne Maher, Tipperary, Ireland Fantastic read. Got totally engrossed with it when I got it at Christmas & finished it in less than two days Jonny Crook, Preston, UK I got the book for Christmas, a fantastic read, thanks. He was some man. A real hero. Timothy V Murphy, Actor, California, USA 'Great book about a great Kerryman' Brian O'Toole, Dublin, Ireland Loved that you haven't rehashed things. Lots of nuggets I didn't know.

Author Information

Since 2010, Manchester-born author TIm Foley was the driving force of a campaign to honour Tom Crean, an Irish explorer who served under Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton on three pioneering expeditions to Antarctica in the early part of the 20th century.From a young age Tim had been left fascinated by the heroic tales of Tom Crean, whose story he discovered while spending much of his time in his father's birthplace of County Kerry, Ireland.Over the course of his career, a number of publications have featured Tim's work and in 2017 he decided to utilise his many years of research and study the life of Tom Crean in order to compile his biography of the legendary Antarctic Explorer. The book, Crean - The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero, was greeted with excellent reviews and in 2021, after submitting all of his sources to the Royal Irish Academy, major revisions were made to the official story of Tom Crean in the world-respected Dictionary of Irish Biography. A fully-illustrated children's book followed and Tom The Mighty Explorer is also generating excellent reviews.The campaign, dedicated to achieving official recognition for the Annascaul born explorer, proved a success and its goal was achieved in January 2021 when it was announced that a scientific vessel was to be named in Crean's honour.Tim continues to write with a great passion for the subject he is the foremost expert on - Tom Crean and he regularly posts to the Tom Crean Blog on his website tomcreanbook.com

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