In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

Book Overview

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A white-knuckle tale of polar exploration and heroism in the Gilded Age from the New York Times bestselling author of Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers. - "A splendid book in every way...a marvelous nonfiction thriller." --The Wall Street Journal

On July 8, 1879, Captain George Washington De Long and his team of thirty-two men set sail from San Francisco on the USS Jeanette....

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307946916
• ISBN13: 9780307946911
• Release Date: May 2015
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Fearlessness and fortitude while stuck in the ice in the northern latitudes.

One of the top ten books I have read. The willpower and perseverance of this crew on a naval expedition is an example of strength beyond imagination. How do you stay alive on mobile ice flows. How do you find food. How do you survive with darkness throughout. Hampton Sides is an exceptionally talented author. A very interesting read, shocking, full of enlightening information, new inventions, and uncertain future. Willpower beyond comprehension. A must read.

Stirring tribulation and USA in late 19th century

The story of the crew of the Artic exploring ship Jeanette is indeed a harrowing tale of almost mind numbing survival and death. Meticulously researched and easily readable, the true story includes many asides and insights into life during and after the Centennial Exposition in the USA in 1876. Rutherfotd B Hayes defeated Tilden with Tilden winning the popular vote. Opponents called the President Rutherfraud! His wife Hetty was a teetotaler and it was said in the White House "the water flowed like wine". Edison's early experiments with electric lights are covered but they were referred to as "artificial suns". Captain DeLong, leader of the expedition, along with his wife Emma, stayed at a modern hotel in San Francisco with the first hydraulic powered elevator referred to as a "rising room". I finished the 400 page book in four days, a truly absorbing read that won't disappoint.