Fire Into Ice: Charles Fipke & the Great Diamond Hunt

by Vernon Frolick

True Story of Charles Fipke, the mining exploration geologist who discovered diamonds in Canada. Fire Into Ice follows Charles Fipke in his exotic travels through the fast-paced, cutthroat world of mineral exploration - from the jungles of New Guinea to the savannas of South Africa to the rain-forests of the Amazon to the Arctic tundra. This amazing true story culminates in Fipke's staking of the Etaki diamond claim in Canada's Northwest Territories.

Genres: Geology, Nonfiction, Science

354 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fire into Ice details the rabid, intense journey of a 20th century indiana jones-esque man who is always searching for a new challenge and has no fear. It is an incredibly fascinating and engaging read about one of the world’s most renowned geologists, Chuck Fipke. However, I really came away with thinking Chuck to be genuinely crazy; frankly a lot of his decisions frustrated me and felt incredibly self-serving.

Nonetheless, our author provides good political insight to the places Chuck worked and explored in their respective eras, as well as the complex relationships between mining companies and governments in the 20th century, culminating with the diamond rush in the Canadian Arctic in the 1990s. An interesting biography for anyone, particularly those who are fascinated by geology and discoveries.

[Jason Mackie]

It was an absolute terrible read, his other book descent into madnesses also sucked, , he also sucks as a prosecutor, because I put the pricks tail between his legs in count and won, the ass hat never saw my win coming until he seen the hay day of evidence...I bought both book at a used book store for a buck, 50cents each, that should tell much about the books

[Todd McQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy life of Charles Fipke. Amazing adventures. Author perhaps over writes at times going deep into historical facts and was a little disappointed that the end was left a little untied- still really enjoyed the book.
4.5

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of the discovery of diamonds in the Canadian Arctic. Reads like a fiction thrilled I put it’s a true story. Fascinating.

[Kay Fur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing! I highly recommend this book to anyone with a love of travel and adventure, an interest in mining/exploration geology, or just those that covet a good read. Actually, scratch that, I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone...I could not put it down! Vernon Frolick does an excellent job wrapping Chuck Fipke's lust for life and insatiable drive to hunt treasure into a story that flows well and reads like a historical fiction. I want to read more stories like this (particularly based in Canada)...anyone have any recommendations for me?

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting biographical book on the discovery of diamonds in NWT, Canada. The geologist seemed to be a man possessed with a wife who put up with years of hardships until she couldn't take it any more. For every prospector that makes it big, like this diamond discoverer, there are thousands who are just as obsessed but never achieve that big rich bonanza. And those that do usually die broke or unhappy.