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allhailkircules's review
5.0
The man verses nature archetype, at times, seems like the dead horse that continues to be beaten. However there are still true gems that arise. This is absolutely one of them. Mr. Simon's writing style draws you in, and truly illustrates the grandeur while also showing the less than optimal aspects of his adventure. It's an interesting perspective on life in the arctic that no docu-series will be able to illustrate, he balances the boredom, the extreme, and the menial tasks made far more difficult by his circumstances. Fantastic read all around.
ahigbee's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Best book I’ve ever read
wolftashie's review
4.0
This book is jam packed full of information about the Artic Ocean and its environs. I liked the storytelling and thrilling adventure dynamic - at times harrowing and always beautiful. My favorite character: Halifax the cat.
mbraojos's review
3.0
This is an awesome story, don’t get me wrong. It is from this outmost respect and admiration that my request of a more dynamic writing would benefit.
Incredible story worthy of a great script, and definitely a good read, although a bit too cliche the eco-friendly side of things. Great overview of the Inuit and my newfound respect for them.
Incredible story worthy of a great script, and definitely a good read, although a bit too cliche the eco-friendly side of things. Great overview of the Inuit and my newfound respect for them.
stephybara's review
2.0
A cover blurb comparing a book to Jon Krakauer's 'Into Thin Air' will go a long way with me, and a book about the Arctic with such a blurb is pretty much a must-read for me.
This was good; very bleak in parts as I tried to imagine myself in the landscape Simon describes. I liked the planning information a lot, so often these memoirs don't include that kind of thing. Lots of interesting anecdotes in this book, and even though I knew he lived - (um, to write the book) - every time Simon left the ship to go hiking I was convinced he was going to get eaten by a polar bear.
I found myself very frustrated with Simon for putting his wife in stressful and dangerous situations. And the cat! Who takes a cat to the Arctic - and lets her run around on the ice?
But (spoiler) it all turned out pretty much OK in the end.
This was good; very bleak in parts as I tried to imagine myself in the landscape Simon describes. I liked the planning information a lot, so often these memoirs don't include that kind of thing. Lots of interesting anecdotes in this book, and even though I knew he lived - (um, to write the book) - every time Simon left the ship to go hiking I was convinced he was going to get eaten by a polar bear.
I found myself very frustrated with Simon for putting his wife in stressful and dangerous situations. And the cat! Who takes a cat to the Arctic - and lets her run around on the ice?
But (spoiler) it all turned out pretty much OK in the end.
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