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Summary: Absolutely great!
Review: I am not what one would refer to as a heavy reader, but my wife is and after she told me about the subject of this book I took a shot. This is indeed one of the finest books I have ever read. To experience the adventure of these brave people, and especially this fantastic "Doc", even vicariously, was a thill. Once started I could not put it down; well, actually I did, but only three sittings and it was done. Not only is Doc's experience great, but the way its written is also great as the story is told so realistically!
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Summary: Inspired me!
Review: Descriptions make Antarctica sound beautiful! Would love to see it as a tourist. Admired author's strength. Very inspiring book.
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Summary: Audio Book Version - Skip This One
Review: The audio version of "Icebound" is marred by Jerri Nielson's droning, mechanical voice. I even put new batteries in my cassette player thinking that would help, it didn't. All of the tapes sounded just as bad. As for the book, the descriptions of life on the Pole were fanstastic, but the author's constant whining were almost unbearable. I'd hate to be living at the Pole with her for a year.
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Summary: This book is very repetitive and not from the heart...
Review: I found this book to be very boring after watching Ice Bound on TV. Dr. Nielsen doesn't even get into the cancer story until you've read 50% of the book. Then you read a huge complitation of e-mails from and to her. It gets really old. Plus, Dr. Nielsen keeps repeating the same old lines: her children don't love her, her ex hates her and she is unhappy with life. It is on every other third page for the first half of of the book.When you read this book, you get the feeling a publisher paid her to write it. It wasn't written from the heart. She really had to work at telling her story and you get the feeling she wasn't able to be honest with herself when she wrote it. She doesn't really let you in to her heart. She keeps you at smile's distance. I also feel that she didn't explain the medical terminology like she should have. Her readers on average are not doctors. She also doesn't explain what it is really like to be at the pole. She leaves much to be explained. Her explanations are brief, if existant at all. I had so many questions when I read this, it left me feeling empty and half involved. Furthermore, she keeps telling you this is a great place and while I can understand how and why she feels that way, she is alway contradicting herself by later saying it is a nasty place. You either love it or you hate. I don't think Dr. Nielsen knows who she is at the time she writes this book. She is a lost soul, trying to find her way and you really feel it in her writing. I wouldn't recommend this book if you enjoy true stories. This one isn't the best.
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Summary: The power of the Human Spirit
Review: I am a member of the the New York Air National Guard unit (109th Air Wing) that had a hand in helping Dr. Nielsen. Those unit members, directly involved in the rescue, would say they were only doing their jobs as they braved very harsh Antarctic conditions to offer assistance. I would say they, along with all the other folks who offered assistance exemplify the power of the human spirit and will to serve. Antarctica is beautiful, yet potentially dangerous, place to live and work. I am still amazed that people can not only work there but do such a good job working there under incredibly hostile conditions. This book recounts a very dramatic tale, takes you along on a personal journey of self-discovery and provides a glimpse into a very unique and challenging lifesytle.
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Summary: Incredible battle for more than physical survival.
Review: I was drawn to this book because I have read other stories about the South Pole, and like so many others, I remember when the news broke about someone needing a rescue. But I found this book so much more compelling than just a story about adventurers at the South Pole, and a lone Dr. battling cancer. I disagree with a previous reviewer that Dr. Nielsen used this book to complain about her ex-husband. I think she showed amazing retraint, and I ached for her not being able to be with her children. I think this was a deeper, more compelling story than the cancer and it played a very important role in her development as a person. I, like the person who recommended the book to me, stay up late hoping against hope that she would be reconciled with her children, as well as being rescued from the ice, and healed of the cancer.
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Summary: AN AMAZING BOOK! EVERYONE MUST READ IT!
Review: This is the most amazing book I have ever read. I heve never been touched by a book like Ice Bound has. Dr. Jerri Nielson is a hero in all eyes. I recomend this book to everyone. It is an account of her work in Antartica that was interupted by breast cancer. Dr. Nielson diagnosed and treated her cancer, with the help of her close freinds at the pole and doctors back in the USA, and of course the ASA and the NSF. It is an outstanding book.
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Summary: Ulterior motives are disturbing and unethical
Review: I don't wish cancer on anybody, and I admire Dr. Nielsen for hanging in there during her tough ordeal, just as I would any other cancer victim. This being said, I believe that Dr. Nielsen has done a disservice to her profession, and to herself. The media has not helped, but she did little to stifle the media onslaught. Who is more heroic: the woman who is able to biopsy her own breast when it may be cancer, or the pilot and crew who successfully landed an aircraft in difficult conditions to get her? You tell me which demanded more bravery, more risk of life. Ultimately, you will decide that the real hero in this ordeal is a name you never heard of: Major George R. McAllister, the pilot. Dr. Nielsen tries very hard to give the impression she is a compassionate person (eg my children are wonderful etc etc - when in fact she essentially didn't give them much priority by going to Antarctica in the first place). She tries to say how everyone is so wonderful and her best friend. But, in the end (actually, throughout the book), she fails to solidify her attempt at self-character development. How? By revealing her true bitterness and vengeful attitude towards her ex-husband (as if we even care). Isn't the title of this book: Ice Bound: A doctor's incredible battle for survival at the south pole? It is not: "50 ways to bash your ex now that you've obtained some fame and people will read your book since it will have a different title." I'm not saying who was right and who was wrong in the marriage. Frankly, I could care less. I'm simply saying that Dr. Nielsen's book clearly demonstrates that she is vengeful, bitter, and emotionally immature. She had a great opportunity here, and she blew it. Do not waste your money. Beyond the glory and media hype, you will discover that this book is self serving and hypocritical.
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Summary: Go on a Great Adventure to the South Pole
Review: Join Dr. Nielsen on a great adventure to the South Pole. Meet her truly wonderful friends, get a glimpse at winter on the South Pole, and understand the demons tyhat would lead one woman to leave America for the ice. I think anybody who enjoys adventure stories will like this book. I must warn you, however, that I listened to the audio book, and Dr. Nielsen is a horrible reader. She even manages to mispronounce her maiden name -- or at least come up with at least three pronounciations. Other reviewers have complained about her use of repeating e-mail in the book. I did not find that distracting. Her use of narrative helps to weave the messages together. Another common complaint is that the book is not about surviving breast cancer. It is not. You will learn little about the disease or how she coped with it. Perhaps that is a flaw, but I think you must view Dr. Nielsen as an adventurer. She tells a marvelous story. I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding book of survival and friendship.
Review: Icebound is an outstanding book of survival and friendship.
I thought that this book was inspiring. Everyone at the South Pole was very friendly.
I really enjoyed that the author, Jerri Nielsen, did not make this a medical book, but a story of life.
This book makes you question yourself. Do I appreciate what gifts I have? I did not believe it at first, but this book made me want to live at the South Pole.
A book for more advanced readers; Icebound will appeal to people who like many different genres.
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