Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 420 ratings

Price: 17.71

Last update: 08-13-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Madqdog
5.0 out of 5 stars Keep Your Computer Close By
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
After reading Hampton Sides' "In the Kingdom of Ice... " years ago, I felt sure that no other non-fiction could ever approach the misery endured by the brave crew of the USS Jeanette. Not so. Enter the Karluk and Buddy Levy's excellent Empire of Ice and Stone. Both tomes are outstanding, and while Side's effort produces a more readable... dare we say "entertaining"... volume, Levy's work is denser and more akin to what a graduate student in arctic history might encounter. Both are filled with incredible feats of survival, heroism, survival, and sadness. SPOILER ALERT: Empire especially becomes clear that it is a work of nonfiction, for the villain in his lifetime is not exposed as such (to the general public). At the same time, the hero succumbs to the isolation brought by alcoholism.

This is an excellent volume of Arctic history. That survival in such an environment over many months can and does occur is a testament to how tough man... and the will to live... may be. And that a woman is a key contributor to the survival, and is among the toughest of these brave souls, comes as no surprise.

Here's a tip: The map at the beginning is helpful, but the territory covered is vast. Accessing a computer to find names of places not found on the included map is of immense help in following both the voyage and the trek.

Empire of Ice and Stone is highly recommended.
Panamint
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
All of Buddy Levy's books are fantastic. This one is no exception. Gripping heroic incredible TRUE stories. Read this and any other of his books. You'll be well rewarded!
Liz Rascher
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazon recommended this
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2023
I ordered this for my husband for Christmas because Amazon recommended it and it sounded like something he’d be interested in. He enjoyed it and rushed to finish it so he could lend it to his dad, and when his dad finished it he passed it along to another relative. I didn’t read it but based on what my husband said it was an interesting story and fairly well written.
Topaz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2024
thanks
Capt Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars Empire and Greely were incredible. Frosted nuts!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
Went 100 miles north of Barrow and never found ice in 1957. ?? Global warming in 1957?? Two Coast Guard ships went all the way over the top that year but did get stuck for a month. They were the Storis and Bramble. I was on the 255 ft Wachusett and might have joined then but Navy patrols kept calling us to go back to St Lawrence island for Russian subs. They were still going ashore snooping at the Navy P2V aircraft 2 Migs shot down in 1955. They all survived. How can I communicate with Buddy? I am 90 with 2 tin cans and a string and going sailing today!!
Condado Beach
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Buddy Levy triumph!
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
The story is so good, the hero so heroic, that it would be hard to fumble the writing of this one. Even so, Buddy Levy's excellent storytelling ability makes this incredible true story even finer.
cynthia t
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2024
Excellent read, will have you on the edge of your seat with every page as you huddle near a fire for warmth!
Michael J. Thorp
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing story of real heroism
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023
Great,true story about a truly harrowing adventure in the ice. Reinforces my belief that you cannot make up stories that are better than what really happened.

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