 PRAISE
FOR CAPTAIN MAC |
 |
Winner, 2010 National
Outdoor Book Award, Children's category.
The award honors outstanding writing and publishing in the outdoor
field. |
Winner, 2010 Honor Book Award from the Society of School
Librarians International (SSLI), Social Studies—Grades 7-12 category.
Bank Street College, Best
Children's Books of the Year, 2011 Edition. Special Interests.
Scroll down to Biography.
Finalist,
2011 Crystal Kite Member Choice Award, Society of Children’s Book
Writers and Illustrators, New England Region.
Listed on Best Books for Teen Boys, 2011, for the
New Hampshire School Library Media Association.
Featured in the 2011 Kansas National Education Association
Reading Circle Catalog. |
| Recommended Book, National Science Teachers Association.
The stages of his life are vividly portrayed, beginning in early childhood….
After nearly 50 years as an explorer, a teacher, a researcher, and a humanitarian,
his contributions are unmatched. … treacherous and dangerous journeys in
below-freezing temperatures, months of darkness, isolation, wind and snow
are cleverly described with realistic photographs. Picturesque scenarios
of day-to-day activities are presented throughout. … This fascinating story
should be enjoyed by young students seeking a written adventure. … facilitators
will be able to develop interdisciplinary lessons in geography, anthropology,
and ecology. -- Jean Worsley, Retired Biology Teacher, June 2010.
Read
the full review. |
| Featured Book Review: Science Books & Films.
(American Association for the Advancement of Science). This thrilling biography
of an endearing and enduring iconic arctic explorer should appeal to young
people and adults alike. The copious archival photos of trips … illustrate
the text so well that the reader might feel that he or she were reliving
the expeditions…. Captain Mac is both an American hero and an American
humanitarian. We need more stories like this one. Thanks, Mary Morton Cowan,
for researching and telling it so well. -- Michael T. Stieber, The Morton
Arboretum, Lisle, IL, July 2010. |
| The Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum & Arctic Studies
Center: The book is a wonderful addition to literature on Arctic
exploration. -- Susan A. Kaplan, Director |
| Booklist Online: Based largely on interviews
and primary sources, this profile authoritatively retraces the career of
a dedicated Arctic explorer. MacMillan's career opened with a high spot,
accompanying Robert Peary on the renowned polar expedition of 1908–09,
and continued with regular scientific and exploratory voyages, overland
journeys, and flights until 1957. “Captain Mac” left a huge archive of
museum specimens, films, and photos—selections drawn from the latter appear
on nearly every spread here. …the severe hardships and wild beauties of
the Arctic come through as strongly as her case for the significance of
his achievements. Extensive back matter concludes. Grades 6-9. -- John
Peters. May 2010. |
| Horn Book Guide: Cowan chronicles the life
of MacMillan from his boyhood in New England to his last Arctic voyage
in the 1950’s. MacMillan’s major expeditions and scientific studies are
vividly described. The author’s use of her subject’s journals, letters,
and books adds detail and authenticity. MacMillan’s own photographs enhance
this well documented, sophisticated text. Spring 2010. |
| School Library Journal: [Grades 5-9] …covers
the life and achievements of the Arctic explorer. MacMillan...joined Robert
Peary's 1908 expedition to the North Pole. This was followed by other scientific
explorations into the Arctic's vast unknown regions, some by airplane,
where Captain Mac filmed and photographed wildlife.… Archival photos with
explanatory captions appear on nearly every page. The author skillfully
weaves primary-source quotes with short, action-oriented sentences (e.g.,
'Mac was lucky to escape alive!'). …This engaging biography is also a solid
overview of an era of exploration that still captivates adventurous youths.
-- Amy Pickett, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA, July 2010. |
| Barnes & Noble: Donald MacMillan (1874—1970)
is not as well known as Robert Peary or Richard Byrd, but he was an intrepid
Arctic explorer. … His Arctic adventures included exploration, scientific
research, lecturing, teaching, and sailing. …. Cowan's biography conveys
the lure of the North and the excitement and perils of exploration, illustrated
by a wealth of photos. … His unique story vividly recreates for all readers
an awesome world that has now largely disappeared. -- Barbara L. Talcroft,
Children's Literature, July 2010. |
Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine: CAPTAIN
MAC is Mary Morton Cowan’s wonderful biography of Adm. Donald B. MacMillan
… it is a smartly written history of Arctic exploration, written with a
grown-up flavor featuring plenty of exciting Arctic adventures, plus history,
science, geology, meteorology, wildlife, and the debilitating effect of
cold weather, poor diet and prolonged isolation on humans. …
Cowan … has done a masterful job researching this
subject, successfully combining crisp narrative with anecdotal stories,
all supplemented nicely with period photographs, maps and illustrations.
… This is terrific history well told, and adult readers will enjoy it as
much as young readers. -- Bill Bushnell, July 11, 2010. |
The Times Record, Brunswick, Maine: [expanded
from the above review in the Kennebec Journal]
…a well-researched, richly detailed biography… In addition to MacMillan’s
gripping story, Cowan tells of the scandalous controversy over who really
discovered the North Pole. Was it Peary in 1909 or Frederick Cook a year
earlier? … Cowan also tells wonderful anecdotes about MacMillan and his
Arctic journeys. -- Bill Bushnell, August 6, 2010. |
Fourthmusketeer.blogspot.com:
Author Mary Morton Cowan visits the life of veteran Arctic explorer, anthropologist,
scientist, and Naval officer Donald Baxter MacMillan in this fast-paced
biography that would be ideal for
either school reports or pleasure reading. …
Born in 1874, MacMillan…was especially fascinated with tales told by
sailors he met of the wonders of the massive icebergs in the Arctic, and
the quest to find the North Pole.…
By chance MacMillan meets Robert Peary, the famous
Arctic explorer, and…a few years later…was invited to join Peary's team.
This was the first of more than twenty-five expeditions…to the Arctic—eighteen
of these as captain of his own custom-built ship, Bowdoin…. Among his many
accomplishments was pioneering the use of radio and aircraft in the Arctic,
as well as writing a dictionary of the native language and contributing
greatly to the cultural understanding of the native people of the area.…
This well-researched and handsomely illustrated
biography relies extensively on primary sources, including MacMillan's
many journals, books, writings, and personal photographs. The author keeps
the narrative exciting by including lots of fascinating anecdotes…. The
book features numerous appendices, among them…additional resources for
young people on Arctic exploration. -- Margo Tanenbaum, October 2010.
Read the complete
review. |
| Proseandkahn.livejournal.com: “This is
an engaging biography of a lesser known Arctic explorer and is sure to
become a welcome addition to any collection about those intrepid explorers.
… Liberally sprinkled with black and white photos, this beautifully designed
book packs a punch and is sure to capture the imagination of some budding
explorers.” Reviewed October 2010. For the complete review, click
here. |
Eagle Island Journal. Friends of Peary’s
Eagle Island. "Maine author Mary Morton Cowan…uses a familiar, story-telling
style…to relate the adventures and contributions of MacMillan….
"Using many of MacMillan’s own photographs to complement
her simple sentences in rapid, staccato succession, Cowan captures MacMillan’s
early fascination with sailing and with the tales of exploration in the
far North. …
Cowan, with her gift for story- telling, goes on to portray MacMillan
as a physically athletic, intellectually curious, culturally sensitive
and politically astute individual who committed his years after the Pole
expedition to continued research in the far north. …
"Cowan has recounted a life full of adventure and
commitment- a commitment to research and exploration for the common good."
Reviewed by Steve Ingram, Fall 2010.
Read the complete review. |
kidsbiographer.wordpress.com.
Donald Baxter MacMillan, known affectionately
as Captain Mac, spent almost fifty years exploring the Arctic. … Traveling
hundreds of miles by dog sled across the ice, he braved hunger, hypothermia,
and charging polar bears and walruses. He formed strong friendships with
Inuit hunters and their families and even, briefly, adopted a polar bear
cub.Donald Baxter MacMillan, known affectionately as Captain Mac, spent
almost fifty years exploring the Arctic. … Traveling hundreds of miles
by dog sled across the ice, he braved hunger, hypothermia, and charging
polar bears and walruses. He formed strong friendships with Inuit hunters
and their families and even, briefly, adopted a polar bear cub.
In Captain Mac, Mary Morton Cowan captures
both the high adventure of MacMillan’s life and his cheerful, resilient
character. … Orphaned at young age, the sea captain’s son worked his way
through college, never daring to hope he might one day attain his dream
of exploring the Arctic. A chance meeting with polar explorer Robert Peary
led to his first expedition. …
[Cowan’s] account of MacMillan’s adventures, coupled with the explorers’
own photos, bring the Arctic to life. Reviewed by Dorothy A. Dahm, November
9, 2010. Read the complete review: “The
Top of the World.” |
| Books for Boys. Dreaming of setting
off into the unknown? Of braving the elements and the great open wilderness?
So did Donald MacMillan, and his travels into the heart of the arctic did
as much to open up this last frontier as his more famous friends and colleagues
Robert Peary and Matthew Hanson. From an orphan boy in Maine to the first
expedition to reach the North Pole, this is the survival story of one of
the men to conquer the arctic. Reviewed by Michael Sullivan, Spring 2011. |
| Library Media Connection: "Intrigued by
the sea from his earliest years, Mac couldn't resist the lure of adventure.
Even though his father was lost while at sea, he still dreamed of exploring
the Arctic. Captain Donald Baxter MacMillan not only assisted famed Arctic
explorers Peary, Henson, and Byrd, but he explored, researched, and documented
his findings of the Arctic for over fifty years. His beloved schooner,
the Bowdoin, served him and then was asked to serve America during World
War II. Even though the Bowdoin served her country well, she was left in
a bone yard after the war. Mac bought her back and rebuilt her to her original
state, and proudly sailed her back to the Arctic. Cowan explains how the
explorers, the Inughuit people, the dogs, the ships, and the knowledge
gained from previous attempts made the discovery of the North Pole possible.
The book includes numerous historical pictures. It is a good read for reluctant
male readers." Recommended. Sue Stidham, Associate Professor,
Library Media Program, Pittsburg (Kansas) State University. |
Barnes & Noble, Five-star Customer
review:
***** Take a trip to the Arctic on the Bowdoin. Mary Morton Cowan's
biography of Captain Donald Macmillan is an absorbing tale of adventure
and character. Cowan, whose grandfather was a friend of Mac (stated in
the author's note), provides such vivid descriptions that you
feel like you are sledging alongside Captain Mac as he explores the Arctic.
The plentiful photos add to the experience - the icebergs, the dog teams,
the fellow explorers, and, of course, Macmillan's schooner, the Bowdoin.
If you want a thrilling ride with a man dedicated to exploration and science,
read Captain Mac! Reviewed by H.W. Wolf, April 3, 2010. |
Joan Broerman's Book Log: Author
Mary Morton Cowan combed notebooks, diaries, and ship’s logs to craft this
fully researched text that reads like a novel. She takes the reader out
to sea with Captain Mac to endure homesickness, cold, isolation, and darkness
for months at a time. … Excellent maps and photos are well-placed….
Bowdoin College figures prominently in Captain
Mac’s life. … His schooner, which he captained for 18 expeditions, was
named the Bowdoin. …
There is so much more to know about Captain
Mac. His sense of fairness. His sense of humor. Cowan lightens dark moments
with anecdotes about the man himself. …
Author Cowan weaves a tantalizing tale. Readers
ten and up and their parents will find this information packed adventure
story accessible and enjoyable. September 5, 2011. Read
the full review. |
| Recommended Biography, Arlington Independent
School District, Arlington, TX. Based mostly upon MacMillan’s
primary sources, the author introduces students to a very unique Arctic
explorer. With descriptive detail and photographs, MacMillan’s life will
make the adventurous student dream of one day making his/her own dreams
come true. Elements of danger threatened the very survival of MacMillan
and his crew, and some did not survive. Each chapter begins with an excerpt
from either the ship’s log or a diary and is enhanced by black/white photographs
from those taken of/or by MacMillan and his crews. Several appendices of
notes, timelines, etc. Indexed. |
| Bowdoin College: Bowdoin Magazine, "Bookshelf." Based
on extensive interviews and primary sources, this authoritative profile
retraces the career of dedicated Arctic explorer, Donald MacMillan....
Winter 2011. Read the complete
review. |
| Christina’s
Reviews: Interesting look at an Arctic explorer’s
life. I hadn’t ever heard of him before, and it turns out he was pretty
important in the history of Arctic exploration. December 2011. |
| Several Customer Reviews on Amazon.com, including this one: "CAPTAIN
MAC reads like fiction, so fascinating. But all the more amazing because
it's TRUE! Wow, what a life MacMillan lived. The author's research was
impressive. His story would make a great read-aloud for Gr. 3-5, but it
would also appeal to middle school up to adult readers." Lynn Plourde,
Maine author, June 2010. |
