What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold: Three Winters at the South Pole
Winter owns most of the year at the South Pole, starting in mid-February and ending in early November. Total darkness lasts for months, temperatures can drop below -100 degrees Fahrenheit, and windchill can push temperatures to -140 degrees. At those temperatures a person not protected with specialized clothing and an understanding of how to wear it would be reduced to an icicle within minutes. Few people on the planet can say they know what it feels like to walk in the unworldly, frigid winter darkness at the South Pole, but Wayne L. White can—having walked several thousand miles and never missing a day outside during his stay, regardless of the conditions.
As the winter site manager of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica, White was responsible for the selection, training, and health and safety of the forty-two- and forty-six-person crews. Motivated by the determination and bravery of historical pioneers such as Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, White honed his leadership skills to guide a diverse group of experienced and talented craftsmen, scientists, and artisans through three winters, the longest term of any winter manager. Despite hardships, disasters, and watching helpless as a global pandemic unfolded far beyond their horizon, his crews prevailed.
In Cold White documents his time in these extreme elements and offers a unique perspective on the United States Antarctic Program at the South Pole.
As the winter site manager of the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica, White was responsible for the selection, training, and health and safety of the forty-two- and forty-six-person crews. Motivated by the determination and bravery of historical pioneers such as Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, White honed his leadership skills to guide a diverse group of experienced and talented craftsmen, scientists, and artisans through three winters, the longest term of any winter manager. Despite hardships, disasters, and watching helpless as a global pandemic unfolded far beyond their horizon, his crews prevailed.
In Cold White documents his time in these extreme elements and offers a unique perspective on the United States Antarctic Program at the South Pole.
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2022
7 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Wayne L. White
1 book3 followersHello Folks, I am a US Marine Veteran. I spent two summers and three winters as the Winter Site Manager at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. This was nearly three years in total length. This is the subject of my book Cold: Three Winters at the South Pole. The book describes the United States Antarctic Program, USAP, the South Pole winter crews, the type of things we faced and my thoughts on leadership. At the South Pole during winter it's dark, cold (can be lower than minus 100F/76C) and there is no way to get out from mid February to about the beginning of November. I have a major interest in historical exploration and have a home in Rockport Texas. I have a very kind hearted wife (Melissa) and due to that have 20 cats!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 8, 2022
Note: This review is for an ARC proof of “Cold” and may vary from the final published copy. I have received this ARC from the author, Wayne White, who is a close, personal friend. This has NOT influenced the review in any way and I am objective regardless of my friendship. You have been warned, Wayne!
Many people wish to travel to Antarctica: the home of ice, months of darkness-shrouded days and temperatures in the excess of -100⁰ F. Few can say they will ever lay eyes on the continent. Wayne White can – three times over. Wayne White, a former US Marine and federal government contractor, has explored and worked in the most remote locations on the planet garnering him fame as an explorer, in the process. From the tropics to Alaska, from jungles and deserts to the South Pole… he has walked it all. White has served as the Winter Site Manager (WSM) at the Amundsen- Scott South Pole Station during three winter periods and shares his experiences in his first memoir, “Cold: Three Winters at the South Pole”.
“Cold” is not your typical biographical memoir and does not offer a background introduction to the author as a person or his life; but instead is a career focus on White’s three winters spent at the South Pole as the WSM and the logistics surrounding the position. In this way, White eschews any emotion, connection and buildup and instead immediately parlays into the WSM position and actual winters at the Amundsen-Scott station. This causes a filter between White and readers and therefore “Cold” is best recommended for those with a predisposed interest in White’s role rather than the average reader.
In fact, an absence of emotion is a common trend in “Cold” with White stylistically exposing his winters in the South Pole in a topical breakdown (logistics, food, traditions, etc) and lapses in the human element of letting readers into his psyche and/or sharing his emotions felt during his time as WSM. Consequentially, “Cold” feels slightly clinical and just a tally of behind-the-scenes functions at Amundsen-Scott. On the other hand, this is how White behaves in ‘real life’ as he takes his jobs/duties very seriously and is ‘all-business’ in these matters making “Cold” a fair representation of who he is and ‘real’.
That being said, the content of “Cold” is truly captivating and engaging offering readers a look at how staff run the Amundsen-Scott station. Having personally conversed with White during the reduced-capacity South Pole internet hour connections; it is amazing to see what White was experiencing on the other side of the screen in real time. White doesn’t over-emphasize technical jargon and has a conversational tone infusing “Cold” with a narrative that is accessible and easy-to-understand. White isn’t the world’s best writer: “Cold” is peppered with grammatical errors, serial commas and repetition. Hopefully this is due to the ARC version and an editor will clean the material for the final September 2022 release.
There is a stigma of an ego on the pages of “Cold”. Even though White is the walking definition of American duty and honor; there is a slight “holier than thou” - attitude. If “Cold” was more emotive and explanatory on a personal level; this could have been redeemed but White is simply too matter-of-fact about his own character which is off-putting.
“Cold” does connect better with readers in chapters such as “Traditions” which explores a more human-interaction plot and this finally allows readers to truly engage with White and ‘live’ the experience of Amundsen-Scoot alongside him rather than just read a job description.
White relaxes with storytelling as “Cold” progresses with more emotion and unveiling of his inner self. This doesn’t expunge his habit of repetition of facts and stories which he continues to tell over-and-over (he’s like this in real life, as well). The major downfalls in the latter chapters are unnecessary, borderline offensive comments White makes usually concerning women. When discussing inter-sex relationships while in the South Pole isolation; White remarks how women who are average at best in looks outside the ice are supermodels and fought after at Amundsen-Scott. He goes on to remark on the emotional state of women crying over their multiple South Pole boyfriends. These are NOT critical to the impact of his points and could have been omitted. White also rudely shows anger at his wife, Melissa, for an incident of a cat (Tiny Elvis) getting lose from their home when she was very sick. Give her a break! She was sick! Female readers will find some issues with, “Cold”.
The unusual details continue with a look into the Covid-19 pandemic and how it affected the crew’s departure from the South Pole. White stresses “masks were worn” and then “we immediately took them off” multiple times. His views on Covid are clear and implied but this demeans the severity the rest of the world was going through and was also not a significant inclusion.
The conclusion of “Cold” is the most personal expose of White in the entirety of the text and tugs at readers’ heartstrings showing, that at the end of the day, he is human, after all. This summarizes “Cold” well (although it would have energized the pages to have more of this throughout) and makes the ending memorable.
White supplements “Cold” with a section of photo plates although an aerial map of the areas he walked daily on the ice would have been welcome as it is a major part of his time at Amundsen-Scott.
“Cold” is not a masterpiece-written text and has many issues with style, grammar and lack of a personal touch; but still manages to be fascinating in its own right. Although “Cold” isn’t suggested for a general memoir audience – it is perfect for those interested in Antarctica exploration and Wayne White, personally. “Cold” is a solid first writing attempt by White and is a quick 1-2 day read.
Note #2: I would give “Cold” a solid 3½ stars. In lieu of half stars and in comparison to other ‘celebrity’ memoirs; I have rounded up to 4/5 stars.
Many people wish to travel to Antarctica: the home of ice, months of darkness-shrouded days and temperatures in the excess of -100⁰ F. Few can say they will ever lay eyes on the continent. Wayne White can – three times over. Wayne White, a former US Marine and federal government contractor, has explored and worked in the most remote locations on the planet garnering him fame as an explorer, in the process. From the tropics to Alaska, from jungles and deserts to the South Pole… he has walked it all. White has served as the Winter Site Manager (WSM) at the Amundsen- Scott South Pole Station during three winter periods and shares his experiences in his first memoir, “Cold: Three Winters at the South Pole”.
“Cold” is not your typical biographical memoir and does not offer a background introduction to the author as a person or his life; but instead is a career focus on White’s three winters spent at the South Pole as the WSM and the logistics surrounding the position. In this way, White eschews any emotion, connection and buildup and instead immediately parlays into the WSM position and actual winters at the Amundsen-Scott station. This causes a filter between White and readers and therefore “Cold” is best recommended for those with a predisposed interest in White’s role rather than the average reader.
In fact, an absence of emotion is a common trend in “Cold” with White stylistically exposing his winters in the South Pole in a topical breakdown (logistics, food, traditions, etc) and lapses in the human element of letting readers into his psyche and/or sharing his emotions felt during his time as WSM. Consequentially, “Cold” feels slightly clinical and just a tally of behind-the-scenes functions at Amundsen-Scott. On the other hand, this is how White behaves in ‘real life’ as he takes his jobs/duties very seriously and is ‘all-business’ in these matters making “Cold” a fair representation of who he is and ‘real’.
That being said, the content of “Cold” is truly captivating and engaging offering readers a look at how staff run the Amundsen-Scott station. Having personally conversed with White during the reduced-capacity South Pole internet hour connections; it is amazing to see what White was experiencing on the other side of the screen in real time. White doesn’t over-emphasize technical jargon and has a conversational tone infusing “Cold” with a narrative that is accessible and easy-to-understand. White isn’t the world’s best writer: “Cold” is peppered with grammatical errors, serial commas and repetition. Hopefully this is due to the ARC version and an editor will clean the material for the final September 2022 release.
There is a stigma of an ego on the pages of “Cold”. Even though White is the walking definition of American duty and honor; there is a slight “holier than thou” - attitude. If “Cold” was more emotive and explanatory on a personal level; this could have been redeemed but White is simply too matter-of-fact about his own character which is off-putting.
“Cold” does connect better with readers in chapters such as “Traditions” which explores a more human-interaction plot and this finally allows readers to truly engage with White and ‘live’ the experience of Amundsen-Scoot alongside him rather than just read a job description.
White relaxes with storytelling as “Cold” progresses with more emotion and unveiling of his inner self. This doesn’t expunge his habit of repetition of facts and stories which he continues to tell over-and-over (he’s like this in real life, as well). The major downfalls in the latter chapters are unnecessary, borderline offensive comments White makes usually concerning women. When discussing inter-sex relationships while in the South Pole isolation; White remarks how women who are average at best in looks outside the ice are supermodels and fought after at Amundsen-Scott. He goes on to remark on the emotional state of women crying over their multiple South Pole boyfriends. These are NOT critical to the impact of his points and could have been omitted. White also rudely shows anger at his wife, Melissa, for an incident of a cat (Tiny Elvis) getting lose from their home when she was very sick. Give her a break! She was sick! Female readers will find some issues with, “Cold”.
The unusual details continue with a look into the Covid-19 pandemic and how it affected the crew’s departure from the South Pole. White stresses “masks were worn” and then “we immediately took them off” multiple times. His views on Covid are clear and implied but this demeans the severity the rest of the world was going through and was also not a significant inclusion.
The conclusion of “Cold” is the most personal expose of White in the entirety of the text and tugs at readers’ heartstrings showing, that at the end of the day, he is human, after all. This summarizes “Cold” well (although it would have energized the pages to have more of this throughout) and makes the ending memorable.
White supplements “Cold” with a section of photo plates although an aerial map of the areas he walked daily on the ice would have been welcome as it is a major part of his time at Amundsen-Scott.
“Cold” is not a masterpiece-written text and has many issues with style, grammar and lack of a personal touch; but still manages to be fascinating in its own right. Although “Cold” isn’t suggested for a general memoir audience – it is perfect for those interested in Antarctica exploration and Wayne White, personally. “Cold” is a solid first writing attempt by White and is a quick 1-2 day read.
Note #2: I would give “Cold” a solid 3½ stars. In lieu of half stars and in comparison to other ‘celebrity’ memoirs; I have rounded up to 4/5 stars.
October 9, 2022
Good part: the author’s take on leadership styles, which he recognizes as fluid and highly influenced by the characteristics of the followers and the group dynamics
Great part: seeing the covid19 pandemic unfold through the eyes of someone at the South Pole
Best part: all the stuff about Antarctica, the South Pole, glaciers, cold, sun, stars, oceans, wind, and ice
Great part: seeing the covid19 pandemic unfold through the eyes of someone at the South Pole
Best part: all the stuff about Antarctica, the South Pole, glaciers, cold, sun, stars, oceans, wind, and ice
September 3, 2022
This is what reading "Cold" is like.
It's mid-winter. You're in Columbus, Ohio, traveling on business. You walk into a diner for breakfast. Sit at the counter, like you always do when you're traveling. Next to you sits a guy with with white hair, finishing a cup of coffee. You nod to each other, like people who eat breakfast at the counter always do. The weather's on the TV that's always on in diners and the weatherperson says the high will be 36°.
"Cold," you say, hoping to start a conversation because you're in sales and starting conversations is what you do.
"I guess so," says the guy.
"You don't think so?" You're from Florida.
"Well, I guess 'cold' is different for everybody," he says.
"You're right. I was in Sioux Falls one winter for two weeks. 10°. That was cold."
"Yes.” He welcomes a refill from the waitress.
“What’s the coldest you’ve ever been?”
The guy sips his coffee.
“101”
“101? That’s hot.”
“Below.”
“Damn. Alaska?”
“For a time. But 101 was when I was at the South Pole.”
“Furreal?”
“Yes.”
You look at your coffee cup.
“Well what was that like?”
And the guy with the white hair tells you.
Wayne White’s “Cold” comes from the author’s experience as station manager for the winterover crews at Antarctica’s South Pole Station. Unlike most explorer narratives which have the author achieve the goal and leave, Wayne did it three times. The people, the weather, and his story of running one of the most remote workplaces in the world.
The book is a must-read for anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to live and work on the far edge of “Man Against Nature”.
It's mid-winter. You're in Columbus, Ohio, traveling on business. You walk into a diner for breakfast. Sit at the counter, like you always do when you're traveling. Next to you sits a guy with with white hair, finishing a cup of coffee. You nod to each other, like people who eat breakfast at the counter always do. The weather's on the TV that's always on in diners and the weatherperson says the high will be 36°.
"Cold," you say, hoping to start a conversation because you're in sales and starting conversations is what you do.
"I guess so," says the guy.
"You don't think so?" You're from Florida.
"Well, I guess 'cold' is different for everybody," he says.
"You're right. I was in Sioux Falls one winter for two weeks. 10°. That was cold."
"Yes.” He welcomes a refill from the waitress.
“What’s the coldest you’ve ever been?”
The guy sips his coffee.
“101”
“101? That’s hot.”
“Below.”
“Damn. Alaska?”
“For a time. But 101 was when I was at the South Pole.”
“Furreal?”
“Yes.”
You look at your coffee cup.
“Well what was that like?”
And the guy with the white hair tells you.
Wayne White’s “Cold” comes from the author’s experience as station manager for the winterover crews at Antarctica’s South Pole Station. Unlike most explorer narratives which have the author achieve the goal and leave, Wayne did it three times. The people, the weather, and his story of running one of the most remote workplaces in the world.
The book is a must-read for anyone who’s ever wondered what it would be like to live and work on the far edge of “Man Against Nature”.
January 11, 2023
i was looking for a book detailing how the south pole affects people - mentally and physically dealing with isolation and logistical problems. However, this is one person's perspective which doesn't live up to expectations.
The author is a military service member so everything reads like a report sent to his supervisor. It's written in a 3rd party perspective that gets annoying after the 2nd chapter. Also his ego shines though quite a bit which is off putting.
The main issue however is the author can't help but input his personal beliefs into the "report". For example, when observing coworkers attending an Atheist meeting, he dismisses them as "just needing girlfriends". If you are writing an autobiography that's one thing but Mr. White tries to portray this book as a military report - you can't have it both ways.
Yes there are fascinating details on how humans live in the most isolated and unforgiving place on the planet - but this book falls short of diving into their perspectives and simply shows one man's tremendous ego.
The author is a military service member so everything reads like a report sent to his supervisor. It's written in a 3rd party perspective that gets annoying after the 2nd chapter. Also his ego shines though quite a bit which is off putting.
The main issue however is the author can't help but input his personal beliefs into the "report". For example, when observing coworkers attending an Atheist meeting, he dismisses them as "just needing girlfriends". If you are writing an autobiography that's one thing but Mr. White tries to portray this book as a military report - you can't have it both ways.
Yes there are fascinating details on how humans live in the most isolated and unforgiving place on the planet - but this book falls short of diving into their perspectives and simply shows one man's tremendous ego.
July 10, 2023
This book is extremely well written and engaging. I have two take aways. First, Wayne is not only a fan of the Indiana Jones franchise, he is the real deal. Second, I have recommended this book to my leadership team as a clear example of the leadership style we strive for in our company.
Wayne, bravo for your writing style, your leadership style and your commitment to adventure. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an adventurous spirit. I would also recommend this to leaders who want to know what a healthy business culture looks like.
Wayne, bravo for your writing style, your leadership style and your commitment to adventure. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an adventurous spirit. I would also recommend this to leaders who want to know what a healthy business culture looks like.
February 22, 2023
There is no book that, on the face of it, looks absolutely perfect for my interests. Sadly, the author isn't a very good writer. I could have forgiven that but he's also really arrogant and insufferable.
January 13, 2025
If you want to learn about what it is like at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, then read this book. Author Wayne White spent three winters as man in charge of the station and provides great detail into his daily routine. Very easy to read full of anecdotes and clarity.
June 1, 2025
Fine memoir. I really wish the more outlandish events alluded to throughout the novel were actually written about, but what can you expect from a pretty straightline serviceman who walked alone in the -70f darkness for 4,000 miles. Seems like the kind of leader I'd appreciate having though. I do also see some of myself in his thoughts on solitude and reverence for the past. Pretty helpful in understanding how both people and systems operate during a south pole winterover and I'm glad to have read it in preparation.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews