The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward

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The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward is the entertaining and intrepid diary of a Devon fish merchant who became an Icelandic knight. An important figure in the birth of modern Iceland, Pike Ward's writing and photographs captured a unique record of his adopted country at the beginning of the twentieth century. His 1906 journal is a frank and funny account of one year in his life, from mixing in Reykjavík society to bargaining for fish on the remote coasts of the north and east. He must travel by pack horse and steamship through wild terrain and terrible seas, all the while attempting to outwit his rivals and cope with the challenges of surviving in a tough land. An introduction and epilogue by K.J. Findlay place the story in the context of a pivotal period in Iceland's history and explain Pike Ward's role in the nation's remarkable rise.
Source: Þórður Ægir Óskarsson

Credit: Iceland's ambassador to the UK 2014-2017

"This little gem of a book containing the journals of a merchant from Teignmouth, Pike Ward, offers fascinating insights into the daily struggle in a poor society, where survival was dependent on being able to exploit the plentiful resources of the sea under the harshest natural conditions imaginable.
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This is not the typical account of an occasional tourist travelling in Iceland at the beginning of the last century. Instead it is the keen and sincere observations of an experienced entrepreneur doing his trade in Iceland for more than two decades, when the country was at the early stages of transforming from agricultural to industrialised modern society. This genuine personal account makes the book very special in a truthful and entertaining way.

Katherine Findlay has done a wonderful job editing these journals and putting them into their proper historical context."

Credit: Michael Nevin, UK ambassador to Iceland

"I encourage everyone to read this fascinating account of adventure and friendship."

Sep 30, 2018

Source: Western Morning News

Credit: Martin Hesp

"This is a fantastically interesting book."

Dec 14, 2018

Source: TLS

Credit: Friða Ísberg

"Ward valuably describes the nuances of Icelandic culture from the perspective of a foreigner who understands both the people and the language... The writing itself is humorous and rich in similes."

Nov 10, 2019

Source: Morgunblaðið

Credit: Hjörleif Guttormsson

"Pike Ward's diary and photographs are unexpected treasures."

Jan 2, 2021

https://davidmarxbookreviews.wordpress.com/2021/01/02/the-icelandic-adventures-of-pike-ward/

Source: David Marx Book Reviews

Credit: David Marx

"...charming but inexorably heart-warming."
Hardcover
- Publication Date: 01 October 2018
- ISBN-13: 9781845409869
- Product Content: Text (eye-readable)
- Extent: Main content page count : 230
- Code: 9781845409869
- Dimensions: 15.6 x 23.4 x 1.9 cm
- Weight: 750 grams
- Packaging Type: Slip-sleeve
- List Price: £24.95
- ONIX Version 2.1, Version 3
Paperback
- Publication Date: 01 October 2018
- ISBN-13: 9781845409906
- Product Content: Text (eye-readable)
- Extent: Main content page count : 230
- Code: 9781845409906
- Dimensions: 15.6 x 23.4 x 1.6 cm
- Weight: 350 grams
- Packaging Type: No outer packaging
- List Price: £14.95
- ONIX Version 2.1, Version 3
History Extra Podcast

Details

Title: The Icelandic Adventures of Pike Ward
Edited by: K.J. Findlay
Collection: Amphora Press
Language: English
Publisher: Imprint Academic
Imprint: Amphora Press

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