Rating: 
Summary: Ice Bound
Review: This book is a great read! To read of Dr. Neilson's struggles with her health was inspiring and then to get an insider's view of the lives and times of the people at the Pole was really a treat. Don't hesitate to order it.
Rating:
Summary: Empowering!
Review: Excellent book. Her recent interview on Oprah made me buy the book.
Rating:
Summary: A Life Is Not Just Measured In Years.
Review: "You've always been a survivor Duffy, and you survive well." This is a quote from the author's Mom and it is so true for her daughter's amazing story. This was one of the most inspiring books I have read. The author, a 46 year old ER doctor who perseveres in the face of daunting challenges, shares her incredible story of survival. I was impressed with the unflagging support the author receives from her family, fellow "Polies" at the research center in Antarctica and her doctor.In her book, Jerri Nielsen brings herself back to the present when faced with longing for her home and family while stationed in Antarctica. I was reminded of another inspiring book called "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel & Shya Kane. The Kane's book is a practical modern day guide for living in the moment. All these authors write of how precious life is and of how each moment counts. As there are no guarantees in life. I recommend reading both these books highly.
Rating:
Summary: Ice Bound
Review: I found this book fascinating and could not put it down. I highly recommend it. It told me enough about life at Pole to convinced me that I would not want to go there for more than a short visit, but I am intrigued by people who are drawn there.
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss this one
Review: With all due respect to a couple of the earliest reviews, let's get to the point at hand, which is that this is an amazing story told by an amazing woman. After an unhappy marriage and a bitter break-up- that left her estranged from her three children, Dr. Jerri Nielsen went to spend a year as the resident doctor at the Amundsen Scott station in Antarctica. She was the only doctor among the 41 people in the complex, so when she developed breast cancer, there was no one to treat her, and no way, because of the extreme cold that kept planes from flying, to get help. What follows is an account of people's reactions and the unprecedented efforts that were made to help her, right up to the time when a crew of pilots braved temperatures that were low enough to freeze their fuel to fly in and lift her out. The writing is personable and extremely readable; you feel more as if you are chatting with a friend than actually reading a book. Read it because it will tell you about a land at the bottom of the world; read it because it will describe a way of life you've never comprehended; but above all, read it because it is a story that will restore your faith in human nature.
Rating:
Summary: nature allow's you to find a deeper peace
Review: This is a great book..as a combat veteran of the Gulf War; You can find a peace in our environment...such as the Pole or in the Desert. Yet you must be open to natures voice. Enjoyable story of Teamwork. we as a nation should do so well to hear her voice where we now live.....healing to self and for others. John D. Lanham; Police Chaplain
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic adventure
Review: This is a fantastic adventure tale, with a foreground drama of medical and personal conflict that was riveting. I could have read it in one sitting - but had to take warm up breaks the first few chapters due to the vivid descriptions of the Antartic environment.
Rating:
Summary: Move over John Krakauer!
Review: When I began reading, I was expecting a book focused primarily on a woman's struggle with breast cancer. What I discovered was an amazing adventure story that shows the true importance of friendship, loyalty and inner strength. It is clear that she became a very different woman at the South Pole--one with self assurance. When I finished reading (in one night!) I wondered whether or not Dr. Nielsen would have battled and survived her breast cancer had she been diagnosed years earlier, before she had experienced these depths of friendship and self-awareness. My husband is reading Ice Bound now and it is clear that the adventure "on the ice" (as they call it in the book) is as engrossing as the story of a breast cancer survivor and the stories of friendship. Move over John Krakauer!
Rating: 
Summary: Not a typical Breast Cancer Survivor
Review: As a breast cancer survivor, I craved to share the breast cancer experience with other women. I thought this book would be about the Doctor's recovery and experience being a breast cancer survivor. I found the book to be about her feelings and self discovery at the South Pole and very little about the breast cancer experience. Reading between the lines, I realized most of her symptoms where not breast cancer related since early stage breast cancer ( that is what I am assuming from her limited description of the illness) but caused by being in a hostile living enviroment. According to the Doctor she didn't have any spread of the disease ( thankfully) but gives the impression that it was breast cancer related. As a medical professional, she should/could have used this book as tool to educate other women, but she choose this book as a way of frightening other women regarding breast cancer issues. She nevers reveals that she thankful misdiagnosed the severity of her illness and her life was never in immediate jeaporady from breast cancer ( even aggressive breast cancer, according to experts takes years to be develop and is not a medical emergency). I would advise other women to realize the Doctors experience with breast cancer is not typical but due to the fact she was at the South Pole and couldn't get proper treatment. If you are looking for a book regarding breast cancer, I wouldn't recommend this book as a positive or upbeat book regarding this cancer. If you are looking for book about living at the South Pole and one women's experience with self awareness this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Two incredible adventures
Review: Ice Bound, by Jerri Nielsen recounts two adventures. After a bad marriage and job disatisfaction, Dr. Nielsen took a job as the doctor at a base located at the South Pole. The first adventure was that of surviving a winter in the harsh environment, unable to leave during the brutal winter. Every power outage or wrong turn while outdoors was a potentially deadly occurance. Indeed, nearly the first half of the book is about life at the pole, with the issue of Dr. Nielsen's suspected breast cancer not emerging until halfway into the book. The next adventure is her suspisions about cancer being confirmed and her need for treatment with no way to leave the pole for many months. A heroic air drop of supplies allows her to administer a biopsy to herself and to give herself chemotherapy with the help of others at the pole who she had to train to assist her. Via E mail and videoconferencing on the computer, Dr. Kathy Miller in Indianapolis supervises the treatments. This book is also about friendship as the other residents of the pole selflessly rally around Dr. Nielsen, assisting her and keeping her spirit up. If you believe in the human spirit and the ability of determination and grit to overcome mind boggling adversity, I recommend this book.
| 
