Vicki S. (curledupwithabook) -
Absorbing non-fiction book about the tragic consequences of egomania and ethnocentricity in the world of science. At the turn of the 20th century six Eskimos were brought to the United States by famous explorer, Robert E. Peary, to be studied and displayed by the scientists at the American Museum of Natural History. Author, Kenn Harper, did an extraordinary job of fact-finding in order to set the record straight on this dark part of the Museum's history. It is obvious that Harper feels passionately about the injustice done to the Eskimos, in particular, Minik, the youngest of the six and the subject of the book.
I guess it's a given that every field or profession has its dark side, but it's especially disappointing when that field is science. Isn't science supposed to be an honest search for the truth? Harper exposes an explorer who thinks nothing of exploiting other human beings for his own benefit and scientists who lost touch with their humanity. The book includes photos of Peary, Minik, and others who played important roles in this sad tale.
I guess it's a given that every field or profession has its dark side, but it's especially disappointing when that field is science. Isn't science supposed to be an honest search for the truth? Harper exposes an explorer who thinks nothing of exploiting other human beings for his own benefit and scientists who lost touch with their humanity. The book includes photos of Peary, Minik, and others who played important roles in this sad tale.
Alexandra reviewed Give Me My Fathers Body: The Life of Minik the New York Eskimo on + 111 more book reviews
A sad but true story of a small Eskimo boy who lost his way. I enjoyed it very much. There is a lot about Eskimo culture and I was surprised to find out that the Arctic Explorer, Robert Peary, was not the hero that the news of the time claimed him to be. Alas, as with so many heroes, on close inspection they have feet of clay. This is a good book that keeps you enthralled to the end. The author is to be commended for the research he did to put this story together.
