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

Hampton Sides

Save:

Find on Amazon

harrowing arctic expedition

survival against polar bears

trapped in ice near bering strait

courage and suffering of crew

dynamic and immersive writing style

meticulous historical research

treacherous uncharted territories

true tragic account of expedition

human endurance in extreme conditions

dramatic pacing of narrative

cultural norms of the late 19th century

audacious quest for the north pole

tragic consequences of hubris

In the summer of 1879, the USS Jeannette embarked on a perilous journey to map a course to the North Pole. However, their mission quickly turned disastrous as the ship became trapped in the ice near the Bering Strait. Forced to abandon ship, the crew faced a harrowing march across the ice, battling cold, starvation, injuries, and polar bears in their quest for survival. Hampton Sides' "In the Kingdom of Ice" vividly portrays the courage, suffering, and sometimes insanity of the crew members, painting a gripping picture of their audacious Arctic expedition in the late 1800s.

Sides' storytelling is masterful, weaving a tale of adventure, survival, and loss in the unforgiving Arctic landscape. The narrative is enriched with historical references, providing insights into the cultural norms of the time, the impact of the media, and prevailing beliefs. Through meticulous research and captivating writing, Sides brings to life the grand and terrible polar voyage of the USS Jeannette, capturing the essence of human endurance and the tragic consequences of hubris in a bygone era.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is dynamic and immersive, combining narrative storytelling with meticulous research, making it both informative and captivating.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on the true and tragic account of the USS Jeannette's expedition to the North Pole, illustrating the crew's struggles and determination as they became trapped and sought survival in extreme conditions.

Setting:

The setting is primarily the Arctic during the late 19th century, emphasizing the treacherous and uncharted territories faced by explorers.

Pacing:

Pacing starts slowly with background details but accelerates dramatically as the expedition unfolds, keeping readers engaged.

Close to midnight on the evening of Sunday, November 8, 1874, as the early edition of the next day’s New York Herald was being born, the gaslit building at the corner of Broadway and Ann Street bustle...

Genres:

Topics:

arctic exploration

crew dynamics

historical cartography

survival techniques

19th century scientific beliefs

leadership and camaraderie

survival against all odds

cold as hell

Notes:

The USS Jeannette was a naval ship that attempted to reach the North Pole in 1879.

The voyage was funded by James Gordon Bennett Jr., the owner of The New York Herald.

The ship was trapped in Arctic ice for nearly two years before it sank.

Captain George Washington DeLong led the expedition.

Flawed maps and theories contributed to the expedition's failure.

The crew had to survive on limited supplies and whatever wildlife they could hunt.

The men faced severe physical hardships, including frostbite, scurvy, and exposure to extreme cold.

After the ship sank, the crew attempted to march to Siberia, which was over a thousand miles away.

Only a few crew members survived the grueling trek across the ice.

Diaries and letters from the crew provided insight into their struggles and experiences.

The expedition is often compared to others like Shackleton's, but was lesser-known historically.

Many scientific observations were made during the voyage, despite its tragic end.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes content warnings related to graphic descriptions of survival struggles, injuries, illness, and the psychological impacts of enduring severe conditions and losing crew members.

From The Publisher:

A Best Book of the Year

USA Today * Time Magazine * Washington Post * Miami Herald * Richmond Times Dispatch * Christian Science Monitor * Daily Beast * Minneapolis Star Tribune

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.

Heading deep into uncharted Arctic waters, they carried the aspirations of a young country burning to be the first nation to reach the North Pole. Two years into the harrowing voyage, the Jeannette's hull was breached by an impassable stretch of pack ice, forcing the crew to abandon ship amid torrents of rushing of water. Hours later, the ship had sunk below the surface, marooning the men a thousand miles north of Siberia, where they faced a terrifying march with minimal supplies across the endless ice pack.

Enduring everything from snow blindness and polar bears to ferocious storms and labyrinths of ice, the crew battled madness and starvation as they struggled desperately to survive. With thrilling twists and turns, In The Kingdom of Ice is a spellbinding tale of heroism and determination in the most brutal place on Earth.

Ratings (10)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (4)
Liked It (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (42):

Read It (11)
Want To Read (23)
Not Interested (8)

What can you read after
In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Hampton Sides is an award-winning editor of Outside and the author of the bestselling histories Hellhound on his Trial, Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers. He lives in New Mexico with his wife, Anne, and their three sons.Hampton Sides is available…

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.