Dancing on Ice: A Stirring Tale of Adventure, Risk and Reckless Folly

by Jeremy Scott

In 1930, charismatic Gino Watkins led a group of fourteen men (including the author’s father) to the Arctic. It was the dawn of commercial air travel, and their goal was to discover an air route between Europe and America. The explorers were courageous and physically strong, but they were unprepared for the hostile conditions they would face over the next year. Learning from their Inuit guides, they hunted for seals and passed the long dark nights of winter as best they could. But for one man, August Courtauld—alone on the ice cap and cut off from his fellow explorers for six long months—it would be an unbelievably harrowing experience. Jeremy Scott paints an enthralling portrait of two lost the Inuit hunters of the polar regions and the “Brideshead” generation of young Englishmen. His action-packed and lyrical tale is one of triumph and tragedy, where innocence and optimism come face to face with devastating extremes of mental and physical endurance. The storms were a bombardment, an assault on the frail shelter protecting them, a sustained battering on the nerves and mind. . . . They were enduring it together, but what must it be like to suffer it alone? The Eskimos believed white devils whirled and shrieked within the blizzards, but what vile monsters might solitude give birth to in one man alone? Unadmitted and undiscussed, at the back of all their minds crouched the horror that Courtauld might go mad.

Genres: Nonfiction

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Pippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely incredible book. A true story which takes you to the absolute limits of human endurance - and also provides vivid insight into the innocence and spirit of a group of men, who weren't much more than boys. Definitely not to be missed! Beautifully written too.

[Ruth Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of adventure to a cold and unforgiving climate. A colleague recommended and then lent me this book. It was right up my street. At times it felt like you were on the trip yourself. It was descriptive and informative. Though at times repetitive. Having been to Svalbard, whilst not quite the same as Greenland, I could relate to aspects of Arctic living. An enjoyable read that has me enthusing for more adventure.

[SabreWulf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an inretesting story and Watkins is a fascinating character. The book however does not do him justice. Clunky language, repetitive and the shift between present and past tense was confusing at times.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exploitation I knew nothing about. And one that had such an impact on how we travel today. And possibly why the ice cap is melting. It is obviously will researched - I guess being the son of the explorers would help with that. But I didn't find it as engaging as other adventure tales. Some such tales have had me turning the pages even though I knew how they turned out. This one didn't. and I didn't know the outcome. I'd have enjoyed it more if it had been more story and character focused.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A loving tribute to the author's father and his father's friends and their boyish adventures in the arctic. Their escapades were funded by the Royal Geographic Society and, while their purpose was practical, they were a good example of where knowing the right people can get you. The title describes it pretty well.

[Francis Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written, thrilling in parts. As much a study of the lives of socialites in the roaring 20s as a tale of risk, adventure and exploration.

Only negative point is that because of the nature of the story the final few chapters seem to hang off the end; so the book never quite reaches its climax. Still, an interesting and exciting page-turner nonetheless.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can only say these people are nuts. I totally cannot understand what would drive these men to take the risks they did. Hooray for explorers though, we'd be a smaller world without them.