The Karluk set out in 1913 in search of an undiscovered
continent, with the largest scientific staff ever sent into the Arctic.
Soon after, winter had begun, they were blown off course by polar
storms, the ship became imprisoned in ice, and the expedition was
abandoned by its leader. Hundreds of miles from civilization, the
castaways had no choice but to find solid ground as they struggled
against starvation, snow blindness, disease, exposure--and each other.
After almost twelve months battling the elements, twelve survivors were
rescued, thanks to the heroic efforts of their captain, Bartlett, the
Ice Master, who traveled by foot across the ice and through Siberia to
find help.
Drawing on the diaries of those who were rescued and
those who perished, Jennifer Niven re-creates with astonishing accuracy
the ill-fated journey and the crews desperate attempts to find a way
home.