Description
Book Synopsis: In the bestselling tradition of Hampton Sides’s In the Kingdom of Ice, a “gripping adventure tale” (The Boston Globe) recounting Dutch polar explorer William Barents’ three harrowing Arctic expeditions—the last of which resulted in a relentlessly challenging year-long fight for survival.
The human story has always been one of perseverance—often against remarkable odds. The most astonishing survival tale of all might be that of 16th-century Dutch explorer William Barents and his crew of sixteen, who ventured farther north than any Europeans before and, on their third polar exploration, lost their ship off the frozen coast of Nova Zembla to unforgiving ice. The men would spend the next year fighting off ravenous polar bears, gnawing hunger, and endless winter. In Icebound, Andrea Pitzer masterfully combines a gripping tale of survival with a sweeping history of the great Age of Exploration—a time of hope, adventure, and seemingly unlimited geographic frontiers.
At the story’s center is William Barents, one of the 16th century’s greatest navigators whose larger-than-life ambitions and obsessive quest to chart a path through the deepest, most remote regions of the Arctic ended in both tragedy and glory. Journalist Pitzer did extensive research, learning how to use four-hundred-year-old navigation equipment, setting out on three Arctic expeditions to retrace Barents’s steps, and visiting replicas of Barents’s ship and cabin.
“A resonant meditation on human ingenuity, resilience, and hope” (The New Yorker), Pitzer’s reenactment of Barents’s ill-fated journey shows us how the human body can function at twenty degrees below, the history of mutiny, the art of celestial navigation, and the intricacies of building shelters. But above all, it gives us a firsthand glimpse into the true nature of courage.
Details
Embark on a thrilling adventure to the edge of the world with Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World. This gripping tale of survival and exploration will captivate your imagination from the very first page. In the tradition of bestselling author Hampton Sides, this remarkable story of 16th-century Dutch explorer William Barents takes you on a journey like no other.
Experience the exhilaration and danger of Barents' three harrowing Arctic expeditions, culminating in the ultimate test of human strength and resilience. Lost off the frozen coast of Nova Zembla, Barents and his crew of sixteen face insurmountable odds as they battle ravenous polar bears, endure gnawing hunger, and survive an endless winter. Their year-long fight for survival is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the will to overcome adversity.
Author Andrea Pitzer delves deep into the heart of the great Age of Exploration, blending a captivating tale of perseverance with a rich historical narrative. Immerse yourself in the world of 16th-century navigators and their insatiable ambition to conquer uncharted territories. Pitzer's meticulous research, including her personal retracing of Barents's steps and hands-on experience with ancient navigation equipment, brings an unparalleled authenticity to the story.
Icebound is not just a tale of survival; it is a profound exploration of human ingenuity, resilience, and hope. Journey alongside Barents as he battles the forces of nature, pushes the boundaries of exploration, and confronts his own limitations. This mesmerizing story will transport you to a time when the world was vast, unexplored, and full of endless possibilities.
Don't miss your chance to experience this resonant meditation on courage and the unbreakable spirit of mankind. Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of history and adventure with Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World. Start your journey today and discover the extraordinary within the pages of this remarkable book.
Start your epic adventure with Icebound: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World
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