An examination of the Terra Nova British Antarctic Expedition (1910-1913) led by Robert Falcon Scott. Scott and his polar party, consisting of Edward Wilson, Henry 'Birdie' Bowers, Lawrence 'Titus' Oates and Edgar Evans, found that they had been beaten to the South Pole by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and the five men died on the return journey. The author considers the various reasons which may have contributed to the failure of the expedition by exploring the wider context of the times and the perceived need for heroes, the personalities of those involved, Scott's leadership and decision-making as well as the logistics and organisation of the expedition.