Empire of Ice and Stone

Empire of Ice and Stone by Buddy Levy recounts the captivating and tragic tale of the 1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition, a journey marked by both unparalleled heroism and devastating tragedy. This deeply researched historical narrative transports readers to the icy expanse of the Arctic Ocean, where survival, leadership, and stark human nature are poignantly revealed.

In the summer of 1913, the wooden-hulled brigantine Karluk set sail from Canada, bound for the perilous Arctic Ocean. Commanding the vessel was Captain Bob Bartlett, celebrated as the world's foremost ice navigator. Leading the expedition was Vilhjalmur Stefansson, a charismatic and ambitious figure driven by his relentless quest for recognition and fame.

However, the expedition took a grim turn just six weeks after departure when the Karluk became trapped in dense, unyielding ice floes. Stefansson, along with five others, claimed to embark on a brief hunting trip, leaving the remaining twenty-two men, an Inuit woman, and her two young daughters stranded on a vast, desolate ice floe without their ship or leader.

Faced with daunting conditions, Captain Bartlett's resilience and ingenuity came to the fore. Under his direction, the stranded crew constructed makeshift shelters, bracing themselves against the merciless cold and the seemingly endless polar night. Recognising the dire situation, Bartlett made a bold decision—to undertake a treacherous 1,000-mile journey with a young Inuit hunter in a desperate bid to secure a rescue for the shipwrecked survivors.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Titanic disaster and the looming onset of World War I, Empire of Ice and Stone is a story suffused with elements of bravery, sacrifice, and human spirit. Levy masterfully contrasts the divergent leadership styles of Bartlett and Stefansson—one epitomising selflessness and the other, self-serving ambition. This harrowing adventure, considered the last great voyage of the Heroic Age of Discovery, offers readers an unforgettable glimpse into the extremities of endurance and the complexity of human nature.

Through vivid storytelling and meticulous historical detail, Buddy Levy brings to life one of the most ambitious and ill-fated expeditions in polar history, capturing the imagination and admiration of readers who embark on this extraordinary journey.