Summary

In November 1974, the New York Herald, operated by owner and editor-in-chief James Bennett, Jr., was the most important and influential paper in the world. Bennett pulled off a hoax on the entire city – referred to as the wild animal hoax – which only brought him more readers and his paper more interest. Bennett had orchestrated the Stanley & Livingston event when the former found the missing Livingston in Africa. Bennett was drawn to controversial and unusual stories even if he had to manufacture them. Although Bennett had correspondents all over the world, he was most intrigued by the Arctic. The scientists and explorers who had ventured into the Ice Kingdom had intrigued the public – these men were pioneers, heroes. Bennett was sure that was where the next big story would be.

The North Pole was a mystery to the general public...