“Much more than just a gripping adventure story, SOLO is also hugely inspiring.” Sir Ranulph Fiennes
“A marvellous account of a remarkable journey.” Fergus Fleming (author of Barrow’s Boys)
“His account of the trek makes for tense and, at times, moving reading. In part, this is because of the extraordinary nature of his journey, but it is also because he sets it within the context of his life, sharing stories of his childhood, his training and how his father’s death, his marriage and the birth of his children all helped provide him with the motivation to drag himself over the ice.” The Sunday Times, ‘Book of the Week’
“Hadow has showed that the Edwardian spirit of adventure displayed by Shackleton and Scott is still very much alive today.” The Times
“An impressive testament to the power of positive thinking.” Mail on Sunday
“Like many books recounting adventures that are particularly unthinkable for the rest of us, SOLO is compulsive reading. Yet Hadow does not rush to tell his tale. His reflective prose reveals the inner turmoil that accompanies such dedication to a task which requires leaving behind a loving partner and two young children. His determination and practical planning blend with bemusement at the fact that he simply cannot rest until he achieves this challenge. Ultimately, reaching the North Pole unaided is almost as much about Hadow ridding himself of his driving demons as it is about fulfilling a deathbed vow to his father and accomplishing an unprecedented feat.” The Times Literary Supplement
“His book is straightforward and engaging and interesting not only for the practical details of how one stays alive in horrendous conditions, but also for the light it sheds on the commercial side of heroic adventure.” Spectator
“Riveting stuff… you find yourself willing him on.” The Independent
Pen regularly contributes to books and magazines on subjects relating to the Arctic Ocean, exploration, and environmental change.
The following comprises some of his work:
‘Catlin Arctic Survey – Investigating the Changing Arctic Ocean Environment’ co-edited by Pen Hadow & Chip Cunliffe, Polarworld 2013
The story of Arctic Survey from its conception through to the publication of its scientific work, comprehensively illustrated with stunning images by the Survey’s official photographer, Martin Hartley.
‘Futurescope – Ideas to Shape the World’ edited by Peter Kingsley published by Coutts Bank plc, July edition 2013
Pen contributed an article to this thought-provoking publication entitled ‘The Lady Vanishes’ which explored the alarming reduction of sea ice in the Arctic and its likely serious repercussions worldwide.
‘How to Get to the North Pole: and other Iconic Adventures’ by Tim Moss, How To Books 2012
Tim Moss, a fellow at the Royal Geographical Society invited Pen to contribute his “Top Tip” for the Polar section of this book which was published in April 2012.
‘The Modern Explorers’ edited by Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Thames & Hudson 2011
Pen was invited to contribute a chapter about the role of the modern-day explorer, which he did using the story of his leadership of the pioneering international scientific work conducted by the Arctic Surveys.
‘Catlin Arctic Survey 2009’ by Rod Macrae, Blurb/Geo Mission 2010
In this souvenir hardback which recounts the origination, delivery and scientific findings of the inaugural Arctic Survey, Pen provides the Foreword.
‘The Long Haul’ by Alex Hibbert – 2009
In 2008, Alex Hibbert completed the longest fully unsupported polar journey in history. Pen wrote the foreword to this impressive account of events.
‘Who Will Save Us?’ by Rebecca Morch – 2007
This is the first book to introduce young children to the science behind, and consequences of, man-induced global warming – told through the adventures of Wise Old penguin and his young charges. Pen was delighted to have been invited to write the foreword by the author.
‘The Mountain Express’ by John Fisher – 2007
A charming allegorical book for young children, which illustrates some of life’s most important lessons – the ones they don’t teach at school – about how to fulfil ambitions. Pen’s foreword, addressed to the young readers, links his own experiences to the central message in this book.
‘The New Green Consumer Guide’ by Julia Hailes – 2007
One of the highest-profile and best-selling books of 2007; the original Green Consumer Guide (1988) co-written by Hailes was the classic of its genre. Hailes’ updated version focuses on how individuals can change their daily lives to reduce their carbon footprint and their impact on the environment more generally. In it, Pen is featured as someone with a story to tell from first-hand experience about the impact that all our combined emissions has on the shrinkage and thinning of the North Pole ice cap.
‘Cold Feat’ by Duncan L. Eadie – 2007
Pen wrote the foreword to Duncan Eadie’s book based on his experiences as he was catapulted from the concrete safety and security of London into the remote wilderness of the high Arctic on an extreme polar adventure.
‘The Seventy Great Journeys in History’ edited by Robin Hanbury-Tenison, Thames & Hudson 2006
As a contributor to this authoritative book, Pen wrote the ‘To the North Pole’ chapter which summarises the historic race on foot across the Arctic Ocean to be the first to reach the North Pole. It reviews the attempts by Franklin and Peary, but records that Sir Wally Herbert’s 1968-69 British expedition was the first indisputable – and almost certainly only – claimant.
‘The World’s Wild Places’ edited by Colin Prior, Constable, London 2006
As a contributor to this lavishly illustrated book of photographs by Prior promoting our natural world, Pen wrote the chapter introducing Europe. It gives a personal take on the impact of man-generated greenhouse gases on the North Pole ice cap, and explains the science driving global warming and the consequences of a disappearing ice cap.
‘Roald Amundsen’ by Tor Bomann-Larsen, Sutton Publishing 2006
Pen wrote the foreword to this significant biography about the most successful polar explorer of all time – Amundsen. The book focuses on the character, endeavours and continuing influence of this polar giant. That he reached the South Pole ahead of Scott is widely known, that he was the first to reach, albeit by air, the North Pole is not. Amundsen’s complete list of polar achievements never has been, indeed never can be, surpassed.
The Junior 8 Summit (officially linked with The G8 Summit)
Pen was the key-note speaker at the inaugural J8 Summit in 2005 in Edinburgh. He has recently contributed a thought-provoking piece on the J8 website entitled ‘The Changing Colour of Our Planet’ to help stimulate debate amongst participating young people throughout the G8 community of nations on the subject of climate change and carbon emissions.
‘Shipwrecked on the Top of the World – Four Against the Arctic’ by David Roberts, Time Warner Books 2003
Pen’s review was featured in the front of this spell-binding account of how four walrus hunters survived shipwreck in Svalbard in 1743 with no more than the clothes and gear they carried for a day-trip excursion ashore … for 6 years until the fortuitous arrival of another ship. One of, if not the, most remarkable Arctic survival stories ever recounted.
