Marilyn reviews In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeanette by Hampton Sides, Doubleday Books, 2014.
In the 1900’s, the Polar area was mostly unchartered In his book, In the Kingdom of Ice, author Hampton Sides reminds us of the hazards and dangers of early polar exploration. In the late 1800‘s, many theories of the conditions of the ocean at the North Pole were speculated. Some scientists and mapmakers thought this was part of the Pacific region even as late as 1870. After months of meticulous preparations and even a grand celebration for the maiden voyage, the USS Jeanette set sail from San Francisco on July 8, 1879 with many adventures yet to unfurl. In his story, the Memphis writer gives a detailed depiction of the expedition from its inception to its chilling end.