Crean: The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero
After 3½ years intense research, Tim Foley’s biography of Tom Crean, gave rise, in March 2021, to a substantial revision of the article entry in the internationally recognised Dictionary of Irish Biography, a collaboration between the Royal Irish Academy and Cambridge University Press. During his research, it was quickly recognised that Tom Crean’s story had, for many years, been populated with a number of inaccuracies. Furthermore, previous accounts written about Tom Crean, were missing a host of significant events throughout his life and career. Crean – The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero provides readers with an opportunity to discover Tom Crean in a focused and fully-referenced account that is the most comprehensive publication to chronicle the life of this remarkable man.
Since 2010, Tim has been the driving force of a campaign to honour a man with a incredible story. Tom Crean, the subject of the book Crean -The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero,, was born and raised a few miles away from the author’s father, on the breathtaking Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland.
Tim’s narrative in both Tom Crean books, the biography and the children’s version, is based on extensive research and study into the life of Crean, who first saw the light of day in impoverished surroundings just a quarter of a century after the Great Irish Famine. Crean would later go on to join the Navy at 16 years old where he embarked upon a career that saw him become a member of three major pioneering Polar expeditions of the 20th century.
The story commences in late 19th century Ireland under the governance of the British Empire and continues through Crean’s career in the Royal Navy whilst serving under the leadership of Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Sir Ernest Shackleton over the course of three Antarctic expeditions, Discovery, 1901-1904, Terra Nova, 1910-1913 and Endurance, 1914-1916.
After serving an unhappy apprenticeship under the strict governance of the Navy at the age of 16, Able Seaman, Tom Crean found himself thrust into a major international incident on his first Naval assignment to the Americas serving on the Pacific Station. It sparked another miserable period of his Naval career and resulted in demotions until an opportunity arose that would lead him to the place where he became most associated with – Antarctica.
Crean found his true calling during the heroic age of exploration on the frozen continent. Four of the chapters in the book focus on documented tales of Crean’s remarkable heroism that brought about the life-saving rescue of 29 of his colleagues over four separate occasions.
We are then taken through to Crean’s retirement and his return to a changed country in the aftermath of rebellion and in the midst of a War of Independence that came at a great personal loss to Tom Crean.
The book goes on to question why and how Crean’s story was largely forgotten during his lifetime and after his death.
Born in 1877, the son of a farmer into an impoverished life in County Kerry, Ireland, Tom Crean’s tale is one of suffering. successes and sadness but above all, it’s a story of an unassuming man who displayed unparalleled bravery to save the lives of others whilst subject to the harshest conditions on the planet.
Buy now as a pre-order at any of the following outlets
The Book Depository – Buy Here
Amazon – Buy Here
Barnes and Noble – Buy Here
Merrion Press – Buy Here
Tom The Mighty Explorer – New Children’s Illustrated Book
A new addition to the fold is the biography written for young children, ‘Tom The Mighty Explorer’ Available also as an e-book for both Kindle and Apple devices, the biography is a 135-page, 8in x 8in Colour Paperback with large, easy to read text.
Adapted for children aged between 6-10 years old, the book contains 27 colour illustrations, 4 maps and an interactive section. The story is based on Tim’s findings and research for the grown-ups biography and is, like the adult version, an authentic account that incorporates a host of new information missing from accounts previously written about Tom Crean. Written in a child-friendly way, it’s a fun way of discovering a new hero.
The four versions of Tom The Mighty Explorer now available to buyers are as follows:
ISBN 9781527277083 Colour Paperback – Buy Here
The only children’s Audiobook about Tom Crean read by Cork Actor Michael Ryan (1hr 15mins) includes sound effects – Buy Here
Tom The Mighty Explorer e-book with a map audio guide is available via Apple iBooks
Tom The Mighty Explorer kindle version available via Amazon
Signed Kerry-Made Second Edition (Limited Stock)
I’ve had many requests for signed editions and there are still a limited number of second edition copies of a self-published author version, made using a full colour style format of paper. This edition, ISBN 9781999918941 was made in Castleisland, County Kerry under the imprint Keel Foley Publishing and there is limited stock of this collector’s version still available. Signed copies of the second edition Kerry made version, can be ordered on the website or by contacting info@tomcreanbook.com and each copy arrives with a free custom-designed bookmark. I distribute this version personally and I do want to emphasise that it is a 2019 edition that is more a collector’s item.
Here on the website shop, the Kerry-made version is available in sets of one, two or five copies and I’ve reduced the price to £12.00 (and equivalent foreign currency prices) per copy.