Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition

I've been fascinated by stories of polar exploration since reading [b:Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage|139069|Endurance Shackleton's Incredible Voyage|Alfred Lansing|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391329559l/139069._SY75_.jpg|900140] many years ago. I will readily confess that the desire for knowledge and achievement that drives individuals to risk their lives on these journeys is a feeling I do not share. But I am readily caught up in reading about their "why" and their "how".

When reading Shackleton's story I frequently consulted an atlas; I listened to [b:Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition|43263275|Labyrinth of Ice The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar show more Expedition|Buddy Levy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1568314753l/43263275._SY75_.jpg|67142118] with Google Maps constantly at the ready. That technological difference, one that has emerged over just a few decades but which we now take for granted, really throws into relief for me the isolation of the 19th and early 20th century polar explorers. I found myself thinking repeatedly about how the availability of GPS and satellite phones would have eliminated the remoteness experienced by Greely's expedition. Efforts to rescue them would have been much more straightforward. I was also put in mind of the film of [b:The Martian|18007564|The Martian|Andy Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413706054l/18007564._SY75_.jpg|21825181], which, while fictional, is the closest contemporary comparison I could draw.

[a:Buddy Levy|147673|Buddy Levy|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1218144292p2/147673.jpg] does a first rate job of conveying the excitement and the trauma, the fortitude of the crew, the evolution of Greely's character in response to the circumstances, and the political challenges faced by his wife Henrietta as she struggled to insure that a well-planned rescue mission was launched. Although I'm pretty sure that my choices would have differed from Greely's at a few critical turns, Levy convinces us of the logic, to Greely, behind the decisions he made. I was especially touched to read that Greely and Brainard both survived and remained life-long friends

I can't recommend this strongly enough to readers who enjoy real-life adventure stories. And if polar exploration in particular is a genre you enjoy, and you haven't already read it, I also recommend [b:In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette|20897517|In the Kingdom of Ice The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette|Hampton Sides|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1395935993l/20897517._SY75_.jpg|28027377] by [a:Hampton Sides|54521|Hampton Sides|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1204342443p2/54521.jpg].

[b:Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage|139069|Endurance Shackleton's Incredible Voyage|Alfred Lansing|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391329559l/139069._SY75_.jpg|900140] will always remain the granddaddy, though, because Shackleton was the best at what he did. The best prepared, the best leader, and the best navigator. Who can argue with not losing a single man? show less

In 1881, American Lt. A. W. Greely and a team of scientists went on a journey to pass the record of reaching furthest North. Buddy Levy's new book Labyrinth of Ice takes readers on their journey of glory and horror. The men accomplished their mission of reaching furthest North and contributing important scientific data. They were also stranded over two winters with dwindling supplies.

Before the astronauts and space exploration, men of courage and vision took on the vast frozen spaces of ice, seeking fame, glory, short-cut passages, and scientific knowledge. They were the heroes of their day.

Labyrinth of Ice was a bone-chilling read. I felt I knew these men and suffered with them. The bravery and selflessness of some were offset by a show more self-seeking thief. Madness and despair were found alongside clear-thinking and innovative thinkers. When their supply and rescue ships failed to arrive, Greely struggled to keep the team disciplined, in good spirits--and alive as they suffered life-threatening conditions and starvation. Lady Greely, extremely self-educated in Arctic literature, pressured the government to send out rescue ships.

Eleven men had died before they were finally found. Public opinion turned from adulation to revulsion when rumors of cannibalism circulated the newspapers. The survivors went on to illustrious careers.

I was given access to a free ebook by the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased. show less

Every year it seems like there is at least one major new book about polar exploration. For 2019 it is Labyrinth of Ice about the US Armies' Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, 1881-1884, in an area off the west coast of Greenland. It was famous in its day and remains well known. Buddy Levy first learned about in the 1960s, when it became a sort of passion to read everything he could find - it has the quality of the Titanic story with interesting characters from a variety of social backgrounds and a doomed voyage leaving only a few survivors. There have been a number of good books and memoirs, but Levy's retelling seems comprehensive and state of the art. Even if you have read some other books, or it has been a while, it has a lot of details show more and Levy's writing is top notch. The first few chapters are a little slow with background material but once they arrive in camp and things start to go wrong, the narrative is perfect right up to the end, everything you might expect and hope for in a doomed polar expedition retelling. show less

It is hard to imagine the extreme conditions, physical & mental challenges and isolation that A.W. Greely and the 24 members of his crew faced as they explored the far reaches of the north, attempting to do what several expeditions had previously tried & died doing. Extreme cold. Dangerous wildlife. Months without sunshine. Food stores dwindling. Trapped in the ice floes. Waiting for resupply ships that didn't come. It must have been terrifying.

This book is wonderful! The author obviously did excellent research into the voyage and the lives/deaths of these men. The highs and lows of their explorations are given in detail, including the horrifying descent into madness and cannibalism for some. This group of sailors and scientists risked show more all to fill in an area still blank on most maps: The arctic. In 1881, the northernmost areas past Greenland were still unknown. These men ventured forth to map, explore and document a vast, dangerous portion of the world. Greely was an experienced military man, but totally unprepared for commanding a ship and the extreme conditions they would face on the voyage. He kept a tight ship, expecting military discipline on board his ship, but his inexperience led the group to make some poor choices. In his defense, everyone is inexperienced when it comes to areas previously unexplored. But, it does seem a bit unusual that a man with no seafaring experience was chosen to captain a ship going into such a dangerous region.

Only six men returned alive. But the crew made history and some of them returned to tell the tale -- that's better than any other expedition of that area before them. The journals and reports from their expedition still exist today, and some of the data and information they brought back are still used. Amazing!

This is the first book by Buddy Levy that I have read. I am definitely going to read more, especially his book on David Crockett. Levy did a vast amount of research and included so much information in this book (even sharing some of the poetry Greely wrote to his wife while on this voyage). Excellent information! Very interesting to read!

**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** show less

Incredible.

Excellent book on the subject material. While I am severely limited in my exposure to historical narrative writing I feel this author could take any story and make it interesting. The style is wonderful and though I knew from the beginning how the expedition ends, I could not help but find myself rooting for the men’s success.

I would recommend for anyone interested in history or adventure stories.

Another exciting and then depressing and then inspiring book about North Pole exploration. I find the initial exploration not quite as interesting as the final dwindling days before rescue when tensions are high and food rations are low and people are dropping like flies.

With the recent release of the TV series The Terror, interest in exploration of the north polar region has increased. The drive of both British and Americans to get further and further north, or find the fabled northwest passage, lead to many tragedies. Labyrinth of Ice is a good addition to this genre. A solid non-fiction account of the American expedition lead by Greely tells the story of how it was relatively easy for them to travel north, but deadly and nearly impossible for them to get back south.