Bound by Ice: A True North Pole Survival Story

by Sandra Neil Wallace, Rich Wallace

In the years following the Civil War, -Arctic fever- gripped the American public, fueled by myths of a fertile, tropical sea at the top of the world. Several explorers attempted to find a route to the North Pole, but none succeeded. Bound by Ice follows the journey of George Washington De Long and the crew of the USSJeannette, who departed San Francisco in the summer of 1879 hoping to find a route to the North Pole. However, in mid-September the ship became locked in ice north of Siberia and drifted for nearly two years before it was crushed by ice and sank. De Long and his men escaped the ship and began a treacherous journey in extreme polar conditions in an attempt to reach civilization. Many--including De Long--did not survive. A riveting true-life adventure, Bound by Ice includes excerpts from De Long's extensive journals, which were recovered with his body; newspapers from the time; and photos and sketches by the men on the expedition. The title also includes an epilogue, author's note, bibliography, source notes, and index.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Middle Grade, Survival, Historical, Adventure, Nature

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Sandra Neil Wallace had a lengthy career as a news anchor and ESPN sportscaster. She succeeded in breaking a gender barrier by becoming the first female to anchor an NHL broadcast. Her books have been named to state and national awards lists, including Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of the Year, ALA-YALSA Quick Picks, and Booklist’s Top 10 Sports Books for Youth. She lives in New Hampshire and Maine with her husband, author Rich Wallace. To learn more about her, visit sandraneilwallace.com.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This nonfiction account tells of a group of 19-century explorers who attempted to reach the north pole but found disaster. With such a compelling premise, this narrative should have been quite solid, but I found myself disappointed overall; parts of this were great, but the whole thing should have been much better.

I want to say first of all that I think the authors are good writers. They have an excellent ability to set the tone, and their instincts for finding the right word for the right moment are unerring. They do not talk down to the readers. The topics in this book that could have been dry, such as the type of ship and its different provisions, are still presented in an interesting manner, and the more dramatic elements (starvation, death, etc.) are not overwritten, not over-the-top, not melodramatic in any sense. Parts of this book feel as page-turning as a thriller, and the authors certainly made good use of dramatic tension. The writing is tasteful, and while the authors don't shrink from recording the more gruesome aspects of the journey, they also don't dwell too much on the gory details. There are dogs in this story, so here is my spoiler: The dogs all die, and one in particular is killed for food, but the writing is matter-of-fact and without a lot of tragic details. I also applaud their wisdom in summarizing (but not dwelling on) some of the negative comments made by one of the survivors and published in the papers. The distinctive personalities of several of the adventurers shine through quite well. Primary sources abound, especially the journals kept by the lieutenant commander. It is very clear which elements are quotes from the primary sources and which are reconstructions, and yet this plethora of quoted material never disrupts the narrative flow. The writing is quite smooth. The subject matter is certainly interesting. The maps are helpful, and the epilogue ties up many loose ends.

The biggest problem is clarity. Some of these issues are relatively minor (e.g., one of the pen-and-ink drawings that illustrate this book was made by a specific crew member, but I have no idea who drew any of the others, if they're even from the expedition, or if they were made in modern times for this book). Other issues are more severe. For one thing, the timing is unclear. Some dates are given, but not all. How long was the initial delay, right at the start? Later, when the explorers were resting on an island, Melville and De Long disagreed about whether it was more important to rest or to leave immediately, and although their departure date is given, the date of their landing is not, so it is unclear how long the delay had been, or whether there had even been a delay at all. Consequently, it is impossible to know to what extent that rest cost them. It seems as though the whole party would have made it safely to Russian mainland if they hadn't been hit by a gale, and I think (again, it's not clear) that they only missed the fair weather by one day. Also frustrating was the lack of information about the travelers. Specifically, I wondered how many of them there were. 20-some? 30? It was difficult to visualize the party when I had no idea how large (or small) a group it was. A few of the names were given early on, with descriptions and even pictures of the men, but only six members of the expedition were described in this way. I wondered how many men there were. I wondered all the way from page 28, when it said that there were openings for 24 spots, to page 116, when the authors finally (finally!) listed the names of all the men who undertook this dangerous voyage: 34 names, all printed neatly in three columns across the page. What a relief! The group was quite a bit larger than I'd been picturing, but I wasn't about to reread the whole book just to re-imagine that one detail. At least I had an answer. Of course, now I'm back to wondering, because when I reached page 165, I read that 33 men undertook this voyage. So which is it?

Worst of all, for me, are the mistakes and omissions. There were 33 men but 34 names listed. There were 13 survivors (p. 150) but only 12 people survived (p. 165). De Long abandoned his rifle during his march through Siberia, leaving it behind on page 124, yet "De Long's rifle" was recovered with his body on page page 173. So did the group double back to retrieve it? Or did they have extra guns, and he just claimed a different (presumably lighter to carry) rifle as his own? The group of explorers included two Yup'ik men (Alaska Natives). Both of them were honored afterward with medals from the U.S. Congress. These medals are inscribed, but while the photos of them are clear enough for me to see that the letters are neat and well-formed, they are not clear enough for me to read the words, and the text of them is not given in the book. What a waste! But at least I know it was something positive. Conversely, the authors' lack of clarity is detrimental to the reputation of scientist and naturalist Raymond Newcomb. Newcomb had made friends with the Yup'ik men and took an interest in learning about their traditions, particularly when he worked closely with them on a task. On page 46, the authors quote a short excerpt from his journal in which he describes hunting with Alexey (one of the Yup'ik men). He recounts a conversation in which Alexey shared some hunting advice from his father. The authors uncharacteristically interrupt the flow of narrative here to interject, "Though Newcomb was fascinated by Yup'ik rituals, he incorrectly identified Alexey and Aneguin as Indians." This incorrect commentary hurts both Yup'ik men by muddying the information about their heritage. It also minimizes the relationship between these two friends, and Newcomb comes off as someone too careless even to pay attention to details about his coworkers. Every subsequent quote from Newcomb using the word "Indians" was equally distracting. Because here's the problem: Newcomb was correct. The different peoples native to North America were called Indians as early as the fifteenth century, and the term is still used today in schools, in books, and in official documents. The U.S. Government officially recognizes Native American nations as American Indians. That is the correct legal term, even to this day. According to the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Government recognizes 574 entities who have official "status as Indian Tribes." The Yup'ik people are on the list. So in what way do these authors think that they don't count as Indians? The BIA seems like an obvious source to miss, and I was stunned to see that the authors DID list that website as one of their sources. Did they not read the list all the way to the bottom? The list is alphabetical, so they could just skip to the end, or at the very least, simply use ctrl+F. I can't really believe they'd miss this, but if there is some sort of nuanced distinction here regarding the word "Indian" or the mens' status within their tribe, the authors never addressed it. I can't imagine what it could be.

Again, there was much to commend about this book. The writing is superb and the topic intriguing. But the editing seems rushed and sloppy, and that's really too bad.

[Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

theme of the book bound by ice is survival because they are on a "trip" to explore the north pole and it is a struggle to survive

[Ridgewood Public Library Youth Services · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of the Civil war, people were obsessed with reaching the North Pole, but many expeditions failed. Navy officer George De Long thought that he knew a better route to the North Pole. So in 1879, George De Long and his crew boarded the U.S.S Jeanette from San Francisco. When they stopped at Alaska, two hunters and dog drivers named Alexie and Aneguin joined their ship and they purchased 40 dogs. When the Jeanette got trapped by ice and started to sink, the crew had no choice but to abandon the ship. They took two cutters and a whaleboat with them. But then a huge storm separated the two cutters from the whaleboat. Only one cutter and the whaleboat survived the storm. The people from the whaleboat didn’t know if anyone survived but later on, they met again. There were 33 crew members at first, then after the expedition, only 12 remained. The main characters in this book are George De Long, George Melville, Dr. James Ambler, and Charles Chipp. George De Long is the commander of the Jeanette. He believes that he knows a better route to the north pole. Eventually, he is separated from his crew and the only people he has are the people in his cutter. Later, two people of his crew reunite with George Melville’s crew, but George De Long was already dead. Geogre Melville is the chief engineer of the Jeanette. He was also the commander of the whaleboat. George is one of the 12 survivors. When his crew got separated from the others, they thought that they were the only ones who survived. James Ambler is the doctor of the ship. He is part of George De Long’s crew in the cutter. He was one of the last ones to die. James Ambler is a nice person. He helped one of the crew members with a sickness, although that crew member said he was fine. Lastly, Charles Chipp is the lieutenant of the Jeanette. He was the commander of the second cutter but sadly died because of the storm. This book was well written with diaries included inside the book. I would recommend this book but it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be.

-From Maxwell, 8th Grade

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Bound By Ice, Sandra and Rich Wallace tell the amazing true story of a band of explorers who set out to find a way to the North Pole. Lead by Commander George Washington De Long, thirty-three men set out on the USS Jeannette on July 8th, 1879. As well-prepared as they were in terms of supplies and crew, there was one thing in which they were utterly unprepared: the maps they based their plans on were incomplete at best, completely wrong at worst. After stopping in Alaska to pick up additional supplies as well as sled dogs, sleds, and two Yup'ik hunters, they set off. Unfortunately, by mid-September they were stuck in polar ice. Despite the great risk of the ship sinking, they managed to stick with the ship for a year-and-a-half, but eventually, the ice took the USS Jeannette to the bottom. Using their remaining supplies, three boats, their sleds, and the remaining dogs, the crew set off to find the coast of Siberia, where they hoped to find help in local villages. But between diminishing supplies, horrible polar storms, and the wet and cold, things went from bad to worse. What makes the story especially compelling is the use of the words of some of those who were there, including De Long and the ship's engineer, Melville. Using multiple primary sources, the authors tell a story of courage, suffering, and sacrifice with less than half of those setting out returning. The drawings, photographs, and reproductions of actual documents and equipment make the adventure feel all the more real. The Wallaces have created a thoroughly engaging, compelling story about the dangers and benefits of exploration.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fascinating, true story of the Jeannette, a ship that attempted to reach the North Pole in 1879, but instead was caught in ice for 20 months. The men on the ship, including two Yup'ik hunters and dogsled drivers, had to survive unbearable cold, dwindling fuel and food sources and incredible boredom. Eventually the ship sank and they had to travel across the ice and water to try to reach Siberia and safety. Not everyone survived. I was fascinated by this read and loved all the primary source material in the book, which included journal entries, telegrams, menus and more. It was really interesting to see how the press at the time treated the venture. Even when the ship had been gone for months with no contact home, many newspapers published speculative reports that the ship was just fine and had surely reached the North Pole (talk about fake news!). In addition, the captain and his men relied on false information from an "esteemed geologist" who believed the northern regions were free from ice and that what ice there was at the North Pole was even free from salt and drinkable. The research for this book is impeccable with extensive source notes, a bibliography and an excellent index, as well as appropriate, interesting images scattered throughout. Moreover, the book is narrative nonfiction at its best with cliffhangers, suspense and foreshadowing. Highly recommended!

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way more riveting than I expected!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great middle-grade/high school introduction to polar exploration in general and the voyage of the USS Jeannette in particular. It's a quick and gripping read, and the authors do a fantastic job of highlighting the most important events of the exploration while providing basic context. I especially appreciated the humanization of key people like Lt. de Long, his wife Emma, and certain officers and crew. I would have liked more information about the Yup'ik hunters who joined the expedition, but as the authors pointed out, there is insufficient historical data to flesh out their stories.

I would highly recommend this book to younger readers, especially those with an interest in survival, history, and science. It's also a great read for older and more mature readers, but for those looking for more detail, I have to recommend In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette.

As the authors point out, the voyage of the Jeannette provided us with some foundational information about arctic weather, wildlife, and climate. Much of what we know about global climate change and its impact on the arctic is thanks to the brave explorers who risked (and in some cases, lost) life and limb in pursuit of knowledge. In the words of one of those explorers, "If men must die, why not in honorable pursuit of knowledge? Woe, woe, to America when the young blood of our nation has no sacrifice to make for science."

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

2017 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children's Book Award. A gripping narrative 5th-8th grade readers will not want to put down. The authors tell the story of Captain George W. De Long's 1879 expedition to the north pole where the crew and ship were trapped by ice for almost two years. Well written. Gripping from the start. Introduction is Captain DeLong watching their ice bound ship sink and then the narrative moves backward in time to before the expedition leaves. Written in short chapters, the story unfolds and moves quickly, keeping the reader on the edge to the very end. The importance of this expedition-in particular DeLong's journals, notes, records-is revealed at the end of the book. In the late 19th century, his records were used to debunk current beliefs about the Arctic and to help other adventurers attempt to reach the pole. Today scientists are using his records of the ice pack (depth, etc.) to compare to today's as we watch the Arctic ice melt due to global warming.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a straightforward account of George W. De Long, the captain of the Jeannette and his crew that decided to set sail and try to make it to the North Pole. Instead, as was the fate of many who attempted at that time, post- Civil War, it did not work out so well and we know so much because of the journals that were kept.

I was particularly engaged with the relationship with his wife who raised their daughter alone for most of their life because it was his fate to be a journeyman. And then he died. And she wanted to publish about him and his journey and the surviving members had to discuss their fate as they battled the sinking of the ship, the trek across horrible conditions, the food, the lead poisoning, the animals, their sled dogs, and more.

It painted a picture of what early exploring looked like and as was stated toward the end, what they sacrificed for the quest and for the science. A perfect true-life adventure story.

[Aspen Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a nonfiction book, this was very good. The story that this novel tells is beautifully tragic. This voyage takes place after the Civil War so events like these students don't hear about in school. Captain De Long and his crew set off in "Arctic fever." A good thing about this novel is that there are handwritten notes and images from people in the book as well. This helps to really see what their minds were like and how devastating this time really was for them. While the ending is happy for some, it ends exactly like a true story would. It doesn't matter who your favorite character was or what you wanted to happened, true stories don't care about your feelings. This novel was a great adventure story and I think anybody from middle school or high school could read it and find it interesting.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not as in-depth or detail-oriented as adult nonfiction, but it was still a good read. It told the story in a suspenseful, engaging way, and didn't shy away from having to explain the reality of early expeditions (and, potentially, that same reality still applies to modern expeditions too). I liked the authors' note at the end explaining the feeling of actually getting to handle the real items, too -- it's the same way I feel! This is one I would recommend to anyone interested in exploring, sailing and ships, or just great adventures.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid nonfiction arctic adventure. The story is well researched with excellent back matter bibliography, source notes and picture credits. The writing felt slightly clunky, frequently creating questions it didn't immediately answer. (Full disclosure I read this in a bout of insomnia so my recall isn't precise.) I'd probably recommend Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World, Armstrong or The Endurance, Alexander first.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, what an adventure! I had no idea how caught up I would get in this story. I love when history is written like this - with enough details to make you feel like you're there, that makes the players come alive and makes me feel connected them. But not too many details to make me feel like it's a drag to get through. This was a fantastic story, and I'll be recommending it to kids who have outgrown the "I Survived" series, but still crave real adventure/survival stories.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Washington Delong was a navy officer who loved adventure, and was commissioned to lead an expedition to the North Pole in 1879. Other explorers had attempted and failed, using an Atlantic Ocean route. He was relying on a respected mapmaker who (mistakenly) believed one of the warm water Pacific currents would carry them effortlessly to the Pole. Newspaper owners of the day were more than excited to hype the event and perpetuate myths about exotic species and potential lost civilizations. As well equipped as they were aboard their well-built ship, The Jeanette, the elite crew (24 men were chosen out of 1200 applicants) was no match for arctic ice. Ultimately, Jeanette sunk and the crew was divvied among three life boats. Only twelve survived, and Delong was not among them. It is a story in the vein of Ernest Shackleton's heroic Antarctic shipwreck, or Nathaniel Philbrick's account of the tragedy of the whaleship, Essex. The audience here is young adult, perhaps even middle graders, though adults would enjoy this, too. It is remarkable to think how the lure of exploring the unknown outweighed scientific knowledge - often totally disregarded. Another great read that typifies this arrogance is Erik Larson's, Issac's Storm, in which weathermen ignored Cuban hurricane experts and underplayed the Galveston storm in 1900 that claimed thousands of lives.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered about the explorers who tried to find the North Pole before Henson and Peary succeeded? This book takes you on an adventure of over two years as the crew of the Jeannette tried to reach the top of the world. In the days after the end of the Civil War, the Navy helped to set up an expedition sponsored by a wealthy newspaper tycoon. The crew packed supplies - including telephone and telegraph wires and electric light bulbs (from Edison himself) - and planned to return within a year and share all the knowledge they had gained with the world. Instead, the new inventions could not be made to work, their ship was trapped in ice, and they were pushed further and further from land and any hope of rescue. Read all about the emergencies, the celebrations, the fights between polar bears and sled dogs, and everything else the crew endured in their efforts to get back home to their loved ones.

Filled with excerpts from the journals of the captain and crew, along with newspaper clippings and photos, this detailed account of the expedition is supported by the primary sources worked into the text. Back matter includes an author's note, bibliography, source notes, and picture credits. Perfect for fans of the I Survived... series. Recommended for middle grades and up.

I received a copy from the publisher for review purposes.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of the failed expedition of the U.S.S. Jeannette to the North Pole in 1879. When the U.S. Navy asked Captain De Long to scout for a missing vessel near Siberia on his way north, he did so, but the delay caused his ship to get bound in ice. The ship remained bound for over a year until it finally succumbed to the pressure. The men had to abandon ship and begin a long trek on foot before switching to boats. The men in the largest boat found a settlement, but the other men were left wandering and starving. Of the original 33 member crew, 12 survived. Captain De Long was not among the survivors.

This was an interesting story, but it lagged in the middle. At times it resorted to relaying facts rather than telling a story. I didn't feel the emotional connection I wanted to. For a completely narrative telling of a similar story try Lost in the Antarctic by Tod Olson.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. I think readers (middle school age and on up) who are either researching voyages of exploration or just interested in such topics will find the details of the fate of the USS Jeannette and her crew under the leadership of Captain George Washington DeLong engaging and accessible. It's obvious the authors have done their due diligence in researching their topic and in adapting it for young readers. Block print illustrations in black and white, excerpts from crew journals, log books, and newspaper articles add interest. A larger, more detailed map of where everything took place would have been nice, but that is a minor quibble. On the plus side, this one easily falls into the category of "not just for kids" books that can serve as a good resource for adults interested in such topics but short on time to read a lengthier "adult" book.

Note: I received a free copy of this book through an author giveaway.

[Julia F]

I think the theme of ‘Bound by Ice’ is patience. From George De Long’s youth and up, he had to be patient in order to reach the goals he wanted. Whether that was the freedom to do as he wished or the urge to get to the arctic and find adventure there. A prime example is when the crew get stuck in the ice in chapter 4. They are stuck there for months and can’t move due to the ice. George De Long has to be patient with the winter and wait it out before he can do much more adventuring. Another example of patience in ‘Bound by Ice’ is Emma De Long, George De Long’s wife who receives very little news from George and is forced to wonder and worry, patiently waiting for news of his success or failure.

[Bailey Milnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound By Ice: A True North Pole Survival Story brings the, sometimes dreaded-by-young-adults, genre of non-fiction to life. Readers will be able to feel the tension rising and temperatures dropping as George Washington De Long and the rest of his crew search for the North Pole. Sandra Neil and Rich Wallace take real historical events of the late nineteenth century and finely mix in dialogue, drama, and suspense. The incorporation of multi genre elements, such as letters, brings the novel to life even further. Overall, Bound by Ice is an entertaining read for adolescents and adults alike with a plot that refuses to stay stagnant.

[Benson Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that the theme for Bound by Ice you have to be willing to give up something to achieve something bigger than yourself. I believe that this is the theme because the captain had to give up his wife for years and he didn't even know if he would ever see her again. But if you really want to leave a big print on the Earth you're going to have to give up something big to achieve your goal and in the end, it can be worth it but you have to be willing to give up something and take a risk to achieve your big goals. We can learn from George W. De Long and take risks to achieve something bigger than ourselves in our lifes.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not to be spoiler-y, but I have some quibbles with the "survival" part of the subtitle...

This was an exciting and tense description of a polar expedition, with just enough looks at the science and politics of what was going on. There was some foot-shuffling about naming the syphilis one of the officers had contracted (the first time it came up it was a nameless sexually transmitted disease, but later on they got specific) which was the main way to tell this was aimed at youth. I enjoyed the story a lot.

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this survival story was a great quick, informational read about something true that has happened in our history. For middle and high school level, it is a great introduction to polar exploration, and the stakes of doing such a dangerous journey. I loved the in depth insight of all the key people who took part in this expedition whether it be the men themselves or people back at home (De Long, Melville, Bennett, Emma, etc.).

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh what a story! Despite knowing the ending, the Wallaces create suspense, tension and great pathos in this tragic tale. Outstanding use of primary source materials gives this a very personal look at the event. Research here is outstanding and the book production just as good - and I'm saying that reading the arc! Can't wait to see the finished book.

[Rob Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating adventure story of 19th-century Arctic explorers whose ship is trapped by ice for two years and how they travel through harsh and deadly conditions over sea and land to try to survive. The second half of the book is more exciting and interesting than the first half, but the whole is an engaging and informative narrative.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Read this to get in an interesting nonfiction with my boys. It was ok. The boys liked it but didn’t love it. It seemed like kind of a build up to nothing because of the ending. Neat photos and artifacts.
We kept wondering how this expedition could be such a big deal for the arctic, but it was clearer at the end in the afterward. Just seemed, again, like a build up to not much of anything.

[Rachel Y. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bound By Ice is a great story if your looking for historical fiction. Personally it wasn't for me, it seemed a little slow moving and wasn't interesting at most times. Like I said if your looking for this genre this would be great for you, but since I wanted to try historical fiction it didn't go well with me.

[Terry]

BTSYA / Teen Reader (15): This is a nonfiction book, but because of the way the book is written, it feels like historical fiction at times. Bound by Ice is much more engaging when compared to other books in this genre. It is clear that the authors went to a lot of effort.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I need to read more young adult non-fiction! This book was the perfect quantity of information without getting too nitty-gritty on the details. An interesting story that I had not heard about before, but I have to say that I definitely preferred Endurance, the story of Shackleton's survival near the South Pole.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredible story of trials and hardships and keeping your spirit up. I do not know how anyone survived this tragedy. The captain was instrumental in preserving the journals and history of this fated expedition.

[Suebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as an adult, but I'm not sure how many young readers would follow the story. There is cannibalism mentioned, and at the end the details of the story get a bit confusing.