Icebound

In Icebound, Andrea Pitzer combines a gripping tale of survival with a sweeping history of the Age of Exploration, telling the story of Dutch polar explorer William Barents and his crew's year-long fight for survival after their ship is lost off the frozen coast of Nova Zembla.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 09 December 2021
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

An epic tale of exploration, daring, and tragedy, as told by the acclaimed historian and masterful writer Peter Frankopan, author of the bestselling The Silk Roads. The name of William Barents may not be as familiar to us today, but this enthralling, elemental, and literally spine-chilling epic of courage and endurance should change that. Roger Alton, in the Daily Mail, praises it as "gripping" and "one of the great epics of human endurance." The Mail on Sunday also hails it as a "riveting tale of Dutch polar explorer William Barents and his three harrowing Arctic expeditions."

The human story has always been one of perseverance, often against remarkable odds. The most astonishing survival tale of all might be that of sixteenth-century Dutch explorer William Barents and his crew, who ventured further north than any Europeans before and, on their third polar expedition, lost their ship off the frozen coast of Nova Zembla to unforgiving ice. The men would spend the next year fighting off ravenous polar bears, gnawing hunger, and endless winter.

In Icebound, Andrea Pitzer masterfully combines a gripping tale of survival with a sweeping history of the great Age of Exploration—a time of hope, adventure, and seemingly unlimited geographic frontiers.

Barents, a seasoned sailor, was chosen by the Dutch East India Company to lead an expedition to explore the northern coast of Asia. In 1596, he set sail from Amsterdam with a small crew of four ships, including the Eendracht, a sturdy vessel designed for polar exploration. The expedition's primary goal was to find a Northwest Passage, a trade route that would connect Europe to the riches of the East Indies.

The journey was treacherous, and Barents and his crew faced numerous challenges. They encountered harsh weather conditions, including freezing temperatures, strong winds, and treacherous ice fields. They also faced shortages of food and supplies, which forced them to ration their meager resources.

Despite these obstacles, Barents and his crew pressed on, determined to reach their destination. They sailed through the Arctic Ocean, navigating through icebergs and navigating treacherous waters. They encountered numerous indigenous peoples, including the Inuit, who welcomed them with hospitality and provided them with valuable information about the region.

However, their luck ran out on their third expedition. In 1598, while exploring the frozen coast of Nova Zembla, their ship, the Eendracht, became trapped in the ice. The crew was forced to abandon the ship and set out on foot in search of food and shelter.

The journey was grueling, and the crew faced numerous hardships. They faced freezing temperatures, strong winds, and relentless snowstorms. They were also plagued by hunger, thirst, and illness.

Despite these challenges, Barents and his crew refused to give up. They used their survival skills and ingenuity to survive, building makeshift shelters, hunting for food, and navigating through the treacherous terrain.

After a year of struggle, Barents and his crew finally reached the coast of Siberia. They were rescued by a Russian trading vessel and taken back to Europe, where they were hailed as heroes.

Barents' expedition was a significant milestone in the history of exploration. It marked the first time that Europeans had ventured so far north and demonstrated the potential for trade and exploration in the Arctic region.

However, Barents' journey was not without its tragedies. His crew suffered numerous casualties, including the death of one of his officers, Jan Huyghen van Linschoten. Barents himself was also severely injured, and he would never fully recover from his injuries.

Despite these setbacks, Barents' expedition remains a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance. It is a story that inspires generations of explorers and adventurers, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, we can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and achieve great things.

In conclusion, William Barents' epic tale of exploration, daring, and tragedy is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance. His journey to the Arctic, despite numerous obstacles and setbacks, marked a significant milestone in the history of exploration and demonstrated the potential for trade and exploration in the Arctic region. Barents' expedition is a story that inspires generations of explorers and adventurers, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, we can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and achieve great things.

Weight: 230g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471182761