Most Australians would not recognise the name Hubert Wilkins ... his exploits happened before the power of television ensured the immortality of many lesser men. Born and raised in South Australia, Wilkins is one of the greats of history and his achievements in so many fields will never be equalled.
A war hero, photographers, reporter, prolific writer, spy, scientist, naturalist, ornithologist, and gifted navigator, Wilkins was the most remarkable explorer of the twentieth century - no one before or since, has discovered more previously unknown land and sea. He travelled through every continent, and was a pioneer of aviation. He survived crashes and disasters, firing squads and sabotage, living long enough to be honoured by kings, presidents and dictators.
A pioneer of photography during World War I, he was described by one general as 'the bravest man that I have ever seen' and is the only Australian war photographer to be decorated in battle ... twice. He took the first ever film of battle, and took the first moving images from an aircraft, as well as being the the first man to fly across the Arctic Ocean, and the first to fly in the Antarctic — and the first to fly from America to Europe across the then unknown Arctic (the New York Times called this 'the greatest flight in history').
'The Last Explorer' details the astonishing exploits, intelligence and tenacity of an authentic hero - and celebrates the life and times of a truly extraordinary man. This is a story every Australian should read. And Hubert Wilkins is a name we should never forget. (Cover).
Contents: Acknowledgements, Maps, Introduction, Prologue. 1. In the blood; 2. True adventure thrills; 3. An adventurer's apprenticeship; 4. The mad photographers; 5. A man apart; 6. The great race; 7. Unsuccessfully south; 8. Drought lands; 9. Undiscovered Australia; 10. Ultima Thule; 11. Over the top; 12. Around the world in twenty-one days; 13. The suicide bomb; 14. The voyage of the 'Nautilus'; 15. King of the Antarctic; 16. Restless years; 17. Ninety degrees north, 3 August 1958; 18. The final journey, 17 March 1959; Epilogue: The weatherman; Notes; Bibliography; Index