Andrea Pitzer's Arctic Survival Story in the 17th Century

Within the bestselling custom of Hampton Sides’s Within the Kingdom of Ice: a riveting and cinematic story of Dutch polar explorer William Barents and his three harrowing Arctic expeditions—the final of which resulted in a relentlessly difficult year-long combat for survival.

The human story has always been one of resilience, often against overwhelming odds. One of the most remarkable survival tales is that of 16th-century Dutch explorer William Barents and his crew. They journeyed farther north than any previous Europeans, only to lose their ship in the Arctic on their third expedition. Stranded on the frozen coast of Nova Zembla, they faced a harsh winter battling hunger and polar bears. This epic saga of endurance and courage showcases the indomitable spirit of Barents and his men.

In "Icebound," Andrea Pitzer weaves a captivating tale of survival set against the historical backdrop of the Golden Age of Exploration—a period defined by optimism, adventure, and uncharted territories. At the heart of the narrative is William Barents, a legendary navigator of the 16th century whose relentless drive to conquer the Arctic's most remote regions led to both triumphs and tragedies. Through meticulous research, journalist Pitzer delved into Barents's story by exploring ancient navigation tools, embarking on three Arctic expeditions to retrace his path, and visiting recreated versions of Barents's ship and living quarters.

In Pitzer's riveting retelling of Barents's doomed Arctic expedition, we are immersed in a tale of human resilience and daring. Delving into the depths of the human spirit, this account explores the challenges of surviving twenty levels below, the historical backdrop of mutiny, the art of celestial navigation, and the craft of shelter-building. Andrea Barrett, the mastermind behind The Voyage of the Narwhal, hails this story as a visceral journey filled with captivating surprises. Above all, Pitzer's narrative offers readers a firsthand insight into the true essence of human courage in the face of adversity.

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