Who was the first man to stand on top of the world? Most polar historians grant that honor to Robert E. Peary who, after long and brilliant polar career, allegedly reached the North Pole on April 6th, 1909. Long debated, but never proven or disproven, Peary's ultimate achievement seemed destined to remain forever an enigma unenlightened by first-hand information. The Noose of Laurels changes that. Here, Wally Herbert, one of the finest polar explorers of our time, takes on the task of analyzing Peary's achievements. He is uniquely capable to do so, as he is the first polar traveler ever to assess the records and claims of Peary and his chief rival, Dr. Frederick Cook. Wally Herbert received unprecedented cooperation for this book from both the Peary family and the National Geographic Society, the custodians of the Peary Archives. Most important, he was the first man in seventy-five years to be granted access to the famous "Peary Diary," Peary's journal from that fateful expedition of 1909. - Jacket flap.