4.27/5
Author: David Roberts
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2014
Formats: PDF,Paperback,Hardcover,Kindle,Audible Audiobook,MP3 CD
Rating: 4.27/5 out of 2663
Publisher: W. W. Norton
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"Gripping and superb. This book will steal the night
from you." ―Laurence Gonzales, author of Deep
Survival
On January 17, 1913, alone and near
starvation, Douglas Mawson, leader of the Australasian Antarctic
Expedition, was hauling a sledge to get back to base camp. The dogs were
gone. Now Mawson himself plunged through a snow bridge, dangling over
an abyss by the sledge harness. A line of poetry gave him the will to
haul himself back to the surface.
Mawson was sometimes reduced to
crawling, and one night he discovered that the soles of his feet had
completely detached from the flesh beneath. On February 8, when he
staggered back to base, his features unrecognizably skeletal, the first
teammate to reach him blurted out, "Which one are you?"
This
thrilling and almost unbelievable account establishes Mawson in his
rightful place as one of the greatest polar explorers and expedition
leaders. It is illustrated by a trove of Frank Hurley’s famous Antarctic
photographs, many never before published in the United States.
Sep 01, 2017
Alone on the Ice: The Greatest Survival Story in the History of Exploration by David Roberts is a detailed account to the Antarctic of 1913. A brief description of other trips and the men who went there is in here also. Then the details of little things I would never have thought about being trapped in a tent with other people and how an A personality and a B personality could really get on each others nerves and how they dealt with it. Small things, but magnified when you are trapped in a tent Alone on the Ice: The Greatest Survival Story in the History of Exploration by David Roberts is a detailed account to the Antarctic of 1913. A brief description of other trips and the men who went there is in here also. Then the details of little things I would never have thought about being trapped in a tent with other people and how an A personality and a B personality could really get on each others nerves and how they dealt with it. Small things, but magnified when you are trapped in a tent for hours. Survival techniques are discussed, in the tent and out, amazing things they did. I would die for sure because I would never have thought of these things. Other more unpleasant things they did to live, ugh! It is all very fascinating, especially if you love history or exploration. If you don't then this would be a long dull read for you. The amazing trek Mawson made, by himself after his team mates died, and he almost died, to go back to camp and hope they hadn't left him. It took 37 days alone, falling in deep abyss, no food, feet in near shreds, deep despair, no tools and starving. Some men had waited for him as the ship had just sailed off a couple of hours before. It is a very interesting read. ...moreJan 25, 2014
I read more than 40 books last year and only gave two 5 star reviews so I don't give them out too often. Those who have read about the exploration of Antarctica are much more likely to have read about Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen, but this engaging story of Australian Douglas Mawson deserves equal attention.Mar 12, 2013
The writing was engaging, and I understand the need to set this specific story in the context of Antarctic exploration as a whole. But I am 1/3 of the way through, and we've barely gotten to the expedition that is supposed to be the focus. Instead, we keep jumping back and forth in time in WAY too much detail to other expeditions. I've lost any sense of urgency, and the book has lost me as a reader before I've even gotten to what I assume is the good stuff--the gripping adventure I was expecting The writing was engaging, and I understand the need to set this specific story in the context of Antarctic exploration as a whole. But I am 1/3 of the way through, and we've barely gotten to the expedition that is supposed to be the focus. Instead, we keep jumping back and forth in time in WAY too much detail to other expeditions. I've lost any sense of urgency, and the book has lost me as a reader before I've even gotten to what I assume is the good stuff--the gripping adventure I was expecting when I picked this up. I wanted to like it, but I'm really disappointed in the pacing. ...moreFeb 19, 2013
Having been a long-time devourer of books on polar exploration, I was more than interested when I saw that a new book on the topic had been recently published. Alone on the Ice focuses on the story of Douglas Mawson, an Australian who led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) from December, 1911 to 1913. While Mawson's name might be recognizable from his time serving under Ernst Shackleton, his work was eclipsed largely due to the other Antarctic expeditions under way at the time, Having been a long-time devourer of books on polar exploration, I was more than interested when I saw that a new book on the topic had been recently published. Alone on the Ice focuses on the story of Douglas Mawson, an Australian who led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE) from December, 1911 to 1913. While Mawson's name might be recognizable from his time serving under Ernst Shackleton, his work was eclipsed largely due to the other Antarctic expeditions under way at the time, especially the race between Amundsen and Scott to be the first to the south pole during what is now referred to as the "Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration."Apr 03, 2013
In 1911, a young university professor from Australia named Douglas Mawson, assembled a group of explorers and scientists to form the Australasian Antarctic Expedition whose mission was to map, photograph, and collect geologic samples from the continent of Antarctica. After arriving and building a base camp, they wintered there before beginning their expedition. Mawson divided the entire group into smaller teams to conduct the research and mapping. Mawson’s team of three men was fit and able. In 1911, a young university professor from Australia named Douglas Mawson, assembled a group of explorers and scientists to form the Australasian Antarctic Expedition whose mission was to map, photograph, and collect geologic samples from the continent of Antarctica. After arriving and building a base camp, they wintered there before beginning their expedition. Mawson divided the entire group into smaller teams to conduct the research and mapping. Mawson’s team of three men was fit and able. They set out on a journey south of the camp in November with a goal of returning by mid January. At the end of January, all team members had returned to base except Mawson’s team. On January 29, base camp members who had remained behind saw a figure approaching. It was Mawson. His two companions had suffered tragic fates. Mawson had walked more than 300 miles alone across barren, icy surface interspersed with hidden crevasses as well as bitter subzero temperatures and blizzard conditions. He was unrecognizable and near starvation. This is an astonishing story of perseverance, endurance, and survival that Sir Edmund Hillary called, “The greatest survival story in the history of exploration.†It’s one you won’t soon forget. ...moreJun 12, 2017
This book conveys the true story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), led by Australian explorer Douglas Mawson. Mawson was a key contributor to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration; however, many people do not carry his name on the “tip of the tongue†as they do the names of Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen. While the title suggests this is the story of Mawson’s miraculous survival in the wake of the death of his two companions while on an exploratory excursion, it is, in fact, a This book conveys the true story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), led by Australian explorer Douglas Mawson. Mawson was a key contributor to the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration; however, many people do not carry his name on the “tip of the tongue†as they do the names of Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen. While the title suggests this is the story of Mawson’s miraculous survival in the wake of the death of his two companions while on an exploratory excursion, it is, in fact, a great deal more comprehensive. It provides the background and context for the AAE, including past experiences, preparations for the trip, and details about the lives of several of the participants. The author is adept at selecting passages from the diaries of the crew without getting carried away with extraneous details. We get a sense of Mawson as a scientist at heart, not concerned with the competitive race to the pole, but interested in mapping uncharted territory and conducting experiments to understand this frozen continent. Overall, I enjoyed the book very much. To me, the most engrossing chapters were related to the survival story. The other parts were interesting but understandably not quite as riveting. Recommended to readers interested in survival stories and the history of polar exploration. ...moreOct 29, 2017
Roberts structured this book well. The first chapter covers the outward half of Mawson’s trek and ends with the expeditions first tragedy. We then jump back to Mawson’s experiences on Shakleton’s first Antarctic excursion and proceed up to the launch of the AAE. While Mawson’s story does not quite compare to Shackleton’s incredible story of his 1914-1917 expedition, it is undoubtedly an impressive tale. Mawson deserves more recognition than he currently receives. I’m a big fan of polar Roberts structured this book well. The first chapter covers the outward half of Mawson’s trek and ends with the expeditions first tragedy. We then jump back to Mawson’s experiences on Shakleton’s first Antarctic excursion and proceed up to the launch of the AAE. While Mawson’s story does not quite compare to Shackleton’s incredible story of his 1914-1917 expedition, it is undoubtedly an impressive tale. Mawson deserves more recognition than he currently receives. I’m a big fan of polar exploration stories so I may not be the most reliable judge, but I would call this an excellent read. ...moreMay 20, 2014
I got sucked in by the "Greatest in history" subtitle. Roberts is a dirty rotten liar in that respect. A relatively interesting story? Sure. A harrowing tale? Not so much. Greatest ever? not by 700 Antarctic miles in winter. Delete the over-promising title and the underwhelming story may have rated an unenthusiastic three stars.Feb 11, 2013
It's a toss up for me whether this or the classic Mawson's Will is the better book. While Lennard Bickel's book is probably slightly more suspenseful, it is short on detail at times. That is not the case here, Roberts doesn't skimp on the detail while still maintaining the suspense of the story. In some cases the details increase the awe that Mawson's achievement was, since even particular days consisted of superhuman accomplishments. Roberts also has much more about the psychologically creepy It's a toss up for me whether this or the classic Mawson's Will is the better book. While Lennard Bickel's book is probably slightly more suspenseful, it is short on detail at times. That is not the case here, Roberts doesn't skimp on the detail while still maintaining the suspense of the story. In some cases the details increase the awe that Mawson's achievement was, since even particular days consisted of superhuman accomplishments. Roberts also has much more about the psychologically creepy nightmare that was wintering over a second year (with a lunatic no less) in "the windiest place on earth," basically skipped except for a few paragraphs in the Bickel book.Jun 18, 2017
This was a riveting story and high on the detail. I now feel like I better understand polar exploration in this era and the challenges that these explorers had to face. For this particular story of Mawson's survival, all the detail and build up really brings into focus how difficult his feat was. The description of having to haul himself out of a crevasse was particularly vivid. This was a great read.Feb 16, 2013
I read Mawson's The Home Of The Blizzard: A True Story Of Antarctic Survival not too long ago, and the story of his lone march over 100 miles, after the deaths of both his companions and all their dogs, with very little food remaining and suffering from a lack of essential gear and a number of physical problems, while in a race to reach the coast before his relief ship sailed on to pick up another team, all the while trying (and at times failing) to avoid falling down the numerous crevasses in I read Mawson's The Home Of The Blizzard: A True Story Of Antarctic Survival not too long ago, and the story of his lone march over 100 miles, after the deaths of both his companions and all their dogs, with very little food remaining and suffering from a lack of essential gear and a number of physical problems, while in a race to reach the coast before his relief ship sailed on to pick up another team, all the while trying (and at times failing) to avoid falling down the numerous crevasses in his way...it's an amazing and horrifying story. But that's just a small part of The Home Of The Blizzard, in which the journeys of each of the other six parties are recorded as well. While I really enjoyed reading about the scope and range of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, the book as a whole was a little confusing, with so many people in so many different places at the same time, and so I looked forward to a different telling of it.Jun 24, 2017
Excellent adventure book. What the men endured on this exploration was unbelievable. Very good book that I found very interesting.Nov 16, 2018
Very impressive!Aug 08, 2019
I’m fascinated by how humans react in extreme situations. I also love stories of exploration. This book is a reminder that great accomplishments are built on the blood and sweat of those who came before. Shackleton and many others built on the work of Mawson. I feel like Mawson deserves to have his story told.Dec 28, 2018
I really believe that true adventure stories are much more riveting than fictional. This is a case in point. It is, primarily, the story of Australian Douglas Mawson and his experiences in exploring Antarctica during the early 1900's. He and his expeditions went through some very harrowing adventures. The title of the book is a little misleading because only a part of the book is about his story of travelling alone after the rest of his party died and his near death experiences trying to return I really believe that true adventure stories are much more riveting than fictional. This is a case in point. It is, primarily, the story of Australian Douglas Mawson and his experiences in exploring Antarctica during the early 1900's. He and his expeditions went through some very harrowing adventures. The title of the book is a little misleading because only a part of the book is about his story of travelling alone after the rest of his party died and his near death experiences trying to return to base camp. This part of the book is truly an incredible story but the majority of the book is about the adventures of some of the other men that were with him and their expeditions. This is a great book of true adventure and courage in the face of extreme hardship. ...moreJun 20, 2019
I was long overdue on reading a book about Douglas Mawson, Australian polar explorer during the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration. My general knowledge of Mawson prior to reading the book was that while leading an Australian expedition, something happened that caused him to be alone, enduring unimaginable hardships to ultimately survive. (And I knew one physical thing that happened to him, so horrible that I won't mention it so it won't be stuck in your head forever if you don't want it to be. I I was long overdue on reading a book about Douglas Mawson, Australian polar explorer during the Heroic Age of Polar Exploration. My general knowledge of Mawson prior to reading the book was that while leading an Australian expedition, something happened that caused him to be alone, enduring unimaginable hardships to ultimately survive. (And I knew one physical thing that happened to him, so horrible that I won't mention it so it won't be stuck in your head forever if you don't want it to be. I was nervous about even reading about that part.) Alone on the Ice tells not only the story of Mawson's incredible survival, but the story of the expedition.Mar 10, 2019
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My friend recommended me to read this book. He said that it was very good and that it was very interesting. I thought that I would give it a try. He made it seem that the book was action-packed, and I am always down to read and action-packed book.Mar 09, 2017
Personal ResponseJun 13, 2017
This book makes a liar out of me. I often find myself saying "I'd rather be too cold than too hot. You can always add more clothes." I don't think there is anywhere on earth as hot as the polar regions are cold.Oct 12, 2017
I liked the story but found the writing style a bit dry. The author handled the flow of events pretty well (there were multiple groups of explorers so it made it difficult to do a consecutive story) and if you like stories of early adventurers, you should read this book. I would have given it 4 stars except for the dryish writing style (I listened to this on audio so it made it a little easier than if I had been reading it).Nov 24, 2018
A good little book, filled with excitement and terror. My one complaint is that this book starts too far into the story and then goes back to the beginning, where the book really should start, so that whole first part is confusing. We follow around people we don't know doing things we don't understand because we have no background, because the book starts way too late. I hate that.Jan 22, 2018
Roberts himself acknowledges that the narrative around this true story is a difficult one to organize, but I still had to constantly reference previous chapters for names, timelines, and relationships.Feb 03, 2018
I vacillated between wanting to be in the snowy, icy vastness of untouched and unexplored land and wanting to be a sideline cheerleader.May 24, 2019
DNFJan 23, 2018
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