Alone on the Ice: The Greatest Survival Story in the History of Exploration (Inglese) Copertina rigida – 1 apr 1976

After whipping through a couple great polar exploration books, I got a copy of Alone on the Ice. (Btw, I highly recommend both of these: Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, which is the well known account of Shackleton's ill-fated, but miraculous survival in Antarctic and Arctic Adventure: My Life in the Frozen North, which though hugely popular in its day, is something of a lost classic that is a great read filled with lots of well told dramatic adventure while [unlike Endurance] giving insight into native Eskimo culture, which is fascinating.)

In "Alone on the Ice," David Roberts tells the true story of what Sir Edmund Hillary called "the greatest survival story in the history of exploration." Hillary was referring to the 1912 expedition of Australian explorer Douglas Mawson and his fellow members of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE). Mawson and cohorts set out to explore Antarctica with the intention of gathering specimens and to make scientific observations of the continent. What has left Mawson's considerable accomplishments and amazing survival story obscured by the layers of newsprint and time is--unlike Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott--he wasn't a pole bagger. Mawson, never grabbed headlines by "summiting" the south pole. Mawson and the AAE's expedition went virtually unnoticed by the public.

Now, at the 100th year anniversary of the expedition, Roberts tells the story of Mawson, alone after his companions had died during the expedition, an expedition that saw them trek over 600 miles round trip while being face with 100 miles per hour winds, and left with little of their original provisions. Left as a lone explorer, Mawson was forced to make a ninety-five mile trek across the Antarctic Ice while battling extreme hunger, madness, and the deadly terrain of the continent.

During his trek Mawson often had to crawl as a result of losing the flesh from the soles of his feet. And at one point, he fell into a deadly crevice that would have likely killed almost anyone else. However, Mawson, inspired by a poem by Robert. W. Service, was able to extricate himself out of the crevice with what could only be considered superhuman strength, determination, and extraordinary will. Roberts tells Mawson's story well and has seemingly done his research thorough, including some great, rarely-seen photos (one of an iced-over face is bizarre, as is the shot of an explorer's contortions to stay upright in a 100-mile an hour wind). The photos are by Frank Hurley, who is famous from his Endurance photos.

In sum, this is a very engaging read. Robert's detailed description of Mawson's determination, perseverance, and courage gives Mawson the heroic recognition while provided classic adventure story entertainment.

This factual recounting of a scientific expedition to Antarctica is at times unbelievable, at times inspiring, at times tragic. The author never sensationalizes the facts or the telling of them, which makes the story even more incredible and a fantastic page-turner.

An interesting book about an amazing Antartic survival story, in which Douglas Mawson sledged alone to reach his base. I learned a great deal about Antarctica and the costs of exploration from it.

Although quite a long story, a lot of information regarding these expeditions comes to light. One can only imagine what these men endured while accomplishing such feats

Mawson, a name not as well know as Shackleton, but certainly worthy of the appelations of explorer and outdoorsman. Mawson found himself alone on the ice in Antarctica. His two companions had perished. In today's environment it is hard to fathom how difficult traveling in 1913, in the unknown continent of Antarctica was. The chasms suddenly under foot. Suspended in space by a thin line, unsure if it will hold. Pinacles of ice preventing forward movement. Nights (and days) of howling 90 mph winds. Mawson's survival is well worth the read.