Exploring the Arctic: The Epic and Tragic Polar Expedition of the USS Jeannette

Mr Leslie Irwin: Having just read the excellent ‘ Madness at the End of the Earth’ by Julian Sancton I thought I would give this a go. The true account of the Voyage of the USS Jeannette is another great read of man against the elements this time swapping the Antartic for the search to find the North Pole. This is a tale of incredible hardship, determination, courage and endurance very well written about men and their heroic and, it could be argued, foolish exploits which have been largely forgotten by time. It is apparent that this group of men were exceptional in many ways and thanks to the author and his sensitive treatment and extensive research their story has been told and they can get the recognition they undoubtedly deserve. First class read!

United Kingdom on May 05, 2023

Vincent: Great story of adventure, survival, and a little bit of history. Very enjoyable read if you’re interested with arctic exploration theme of story.

Australia on Oct 22, 2019

Alice Olivo: It was a present for my husband and he enjoyed it so much that he read it in a few days. He couldn't put it down! Very well written, it goes into a good deal of detail which however isn't essential for the understanding of the story. Gonna read it myself soon. Shipping was fast and accurate.

Italy on Aug 15, 2019

Briona: Hampton Sides has written a phenomenal historical book on a polar expedition that I hadn't known of. This was like reading several books in one--a biography (two, actually), early history of cartography, and the story of the USS Jeann ette, captained by George De Long, trying to find a way to the North Pole. This is also a story of an extremely brave crew who did all they could to defy horrifying circumstances. One of the most harrowing reads ever that can be compared to Shackleton's Incredible Journey. I could not put this great book down...when I was finished, I just wanted to let it rest for a couple of weeks and start reading it all over again. I never want to let this book go. Kudos to Mr. Sides...this will be a bestseller for all time.

Germany on Apr 29, 2019

Tripower53: 5 stars

James Gordon Bennett is newspaper owner who specializes in the outrageous and not altogether true stories.

Captain George Washington DeLong made his name for a daring attempt made to reach survivors of a ship that was destroyed by ice in the Arctic when he was still a Lieutenant in the US Navy. The Arctic got into his blood, something that surprised him, and he spent several years studying and plotting to get back there – but as the captain of his own expedition this time.

Bennett becomes very interested in the Arctic and agrees to fund DeLong’s expedition to the North Pole. They consult the latest maps and scientific data. They meet with the eminent scientists of the day and gather data that is suspect by today’s standards. (From our point of view we can see that some of the ideas put forth at the time were outrageous at best and some of them were downright dangerous. )

Before they set sail on July 8, 1879, DeLong is ordered by his superiors at the US Navy to check on a fellow explorer at Bennett’s behest. DeLong is furious for he knows the other explorer is not yet overdue and most likely is fine. But he must follow orders, so he takes...

United States on Dec 29, 2018

Bala: Mind blowing real life story and every page is fascinating & thrilling ,I don't always care for review quotes mentioned on cover , but here it is 100 % accurate ....

India on Jan 04, 2018

LastRanger: On July 8, 1879 the USS Jeanñette, under the command of George W. De Long, sailed from San Francisco Harbor bound for the Bering Strait and the Polar Ocean north of the Arctic Circle. Her mission was to explore and chart the little known waters north the Siberian Coast in order to verify, or invalidate, the "Open Polar Sea" theory and to determine if the newly discovered Wrangle Island was, in fact, part of much larger land mass, an unknown continent, stretching all the way to the North Pole. I really enjoyed this amazing book, it was by turn; engrossing, terrifying and impossible to put down! "In The Kingdom Of Ice" is my first book by historian Hampton Sides and he does not disappoint. Not a History Text Book but an "Historical Narrative" that is both well written and well researched. Using newspaper accounts, personal logs, official documents and family letters, Sides gives the reader an intimate look into the lives and adventures of these intrepid explorers. The first part of the book is mostly background material on the principle characters and the society that they lived in. Besides De Long and his team you will meet the famous scientist and newspaper men of the mid 19th...

United States on May 30, 2016