Snow Man: John Hornby in the Barren Lands

This new edition of Snow Man includes an introduction by Lawrence Millman, a pointed and poignant summary of the respective backgrounds of the two principal protagonists in the story and their relationship. [John Hornby] and [James Critchell-Bullock] were very different men, thrown together in this enterprise by the simple fact that each believed he needed the other to pursue his own objective of spending the winter in the barrenlands. Millman calls Hornby "eccentric" and "evanescent" and even "heroic." He avoids the oft-used descriptor "a madman." Such insight is welcome because Hornby, while certainly eccentric, left a legacy to Canada that demands better than dismissal as "a madman," which he probably was not. It was Hornby who planted the seed that grew into what is today Canada's oldest and largest fully protected pocket of wilderness, the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary. Millman credits this deservedly. Waldron, on the other hand, describes Critchell-Bullock's initial view of Hornby as an "aristocratic" and "nonconformist"..."scholar," "an explorer with a flair for hardship," for whom he "felt a fondness." Benevolent words indeed for the man who nearly led Critchell-Bullock to his death in the barrenlands. They went there because, as Critchell-Bullock cited Hornby's words, "it's the only place that isn't over-run." Critchell-Bullock was caught up enthusiastically by the compelling romance of that notion. Hornby needed the companion for credibility and for cash to mount his expedition. He offered to include Critchell-Bullock "because you are a gentleman," all the while pointing out that it would be a difficult trip, but one he had confidence Critchell-Bullock could endure. Critchell-Bullock, thus challenged, accepted. It was as simple as that.