In The Kingdom Of Ice: The Grand And Terrible Polar Voyage Of The USS Jeannette (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
Loved this book! It was a fascinating character study of brave, meticulous explorers. The excerpts of letters from Lt. DeLong's wife added such a warm, personal touch and had me cheering for him with all my might. The last hundred pages propelled me into a late-night reading session and left me emotionally drained. Thoughts of the crew, the loved ones, and the amazing story resonate long after the book is done. A really compelling read (or listen) that provides incredible insight both into an Arctic exploratory voyage in the late nineteenth century, but also the state of knowledge about the Arctic at that time. Woven in are discussions of the latest technologies available (Edison and Bell are mentioned) that add nice perspective. But the heart of the story is the experience of the mean on the Jeanette. The problems they face, the obstacles they overcome, the things they saw and did are all incredible. Quoting primary sources like journals, diaries, and letters, Sides really makes these people come alive. My only criticism is that it took Sides a while to get to the compelling story--I felt he dwelt a little too much on Bennett and the build up. But I definitely recommend this book to fans of compelling non-fiction and history buffs alike.
What do You think about In The Kingdom Of Ice: The Grand And Terrible Polar Voyage Of The USS Jeannette (2014)?
This book read more like a novel than non-fiction. Gripping to the very end!
—tkim
Really 4.5 for me. I love the way Sides writes a story.
—Sjoyadam
Amazing true story about a polar expedition. Great book.
—sejoud
