Empire of Ice and Stone
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Empire of Ice and Stone
The true, harrowing story of the ill-fated 1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition and the two men who came to define it.
The true, harrowing story of the ill-fated 1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition and the two men who came to define it.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! DescriptionEmpire 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.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781250871633
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 15 January 2024
Country: United States
Imprint: Saint Martin's Griffin,U.S.
Illustration: Includes 1 map and 4-color endpapers plus one 16-page black-and-white photograph insert and one 8-page black-and-white photograph insert
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 32.0mm
Width: 135.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 424g
Pages: 448
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About the Author
BUDDY LEVY is the author of nine books, including Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition, Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs; River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon. He is co-author of No Barriers: A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon and GERONIMO: Leadership Strategies of An American Warrior. His books have been published in eight languages. He lives in Idaho.
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