Polar Expeditions

"This book is an amazing exploration in its own right. The book brings together the rigorous Theory of Structural Ritualization and a careful and clever methodology, literary ethnography and content analysis. Nineteen expeditions are identified and analyzed and of those, nine are classified as failed, in the sense that the social fabric was irrevocably damaged, social rituals were rare, and conflicts, often violent, were common. Counter to these failed cases, in successful expeditions, collective rituals involving all crew members were common and, indeed, often planned by leadership. This book is a compelling analysis of how social rituals drive social life and group cohesion. It is rare (and so welcome!) for such an entertaining book to also be such a theoretically rich book."

Jane Sell, Texas A & M University

"Polar Expeditions reveals captivating details behind a century's worth of exploration into the most treacherous regions on earth. With groundbreaking sociological analysis, the book specifies activities leading to extreme levels of success in the face of hazardous challenges and prolonged periods of isolation. Professor Knottnerus breaks new ground by using structural ritualization theory to examine how crewmembers conquered disruption by reestablishing aspects of their lives back home. The book also focuses on goal attainment through the development of social bonds by way of work routines, collective events, and recreation. This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to know how to lead diverse groups of people. Readers will learn about open communication, developing grit, and generating solidarity, issues more timely now than ever."

Jason S. Ulsperger, Arkansas Tech University

"Polar Expeditions marks a watershed in social analysis. Knottnerus' book establishes ritual practice as the missing link in understanding how crews adapt and crewmembers cope with the extreme confinement and isolation imposed by hazardous ventures."

Jeltje Gordon-Lennox, Psychotherapist and Editor of Coping Rituals in Fearful Times

"The Polar regions are the harshest environments on earth and expeditions into these regions face extreme conditions, isolation, and other unique challenges. What makes some expeditions succeed when others fail? Professor J. David Knottnerus provides valuable insights into this question by examining the role of rituals in providing meaning and focus during such hazardous undertakings. His book, Polar Expeditions: Rituals, Crews, and Hazardous Ventures, examines logbooks, diaries, and other first-person accounts from 19 expeditions occurring between 1850 and 1950 and applies Structural Ritualization Theory (SRT) to demonstrate the importance of rituals in shaping morale, comradery, and social cohesion among crewmembers. Expeditions that were able to develop new rituals were more successful than those who lacked robust reritualization practices. The result is a fascinating recounting of these expeditions as well as a clear advancement of SRT."

Duane Gill, Virginia Tech University