Rating: 
Summary: What a shocking, absorbing story of survival!
Review: Quite honestly, this is not the best written book I have ever read, but it's still a real page turner, and it certainly stands alone as one of the most pivotal. Dr. Jerri's determination to beat the odds is not some re-hashed, worn out tale of survival, it is an intimate account of how a woman whose proverbial back is against the wall, pulls herself up by the bootstraps and empowers herself to live, all while trying to basically survive in a very cold, barron environment. What I liked about this book is the lesson that we are all a lot stronger than we give ourselves credit for. When I finished reading this book I realized a couple of things: (1) good health is the greatest wealth we could ever hope for and (2) be grateful...if you think you've got a lot of problems, just remember that someone out there always has it a lot worse than you do. I am grateful for this story, and for Dr. Jerri sharing a bit of her strength and herself with all of us. Cris
Rating:
Summary: Could not put down--but some flaws
Review: I, too, could not put this book down--I read it straight in two days. However, there is some repetition--I wonder about her editor--such as the mention and description of the scavenger birds within 20 pages. I'm not sure if Jerri is likeable or not and though I know it is a true story filled with varied experiences and mental swings, at times I felt like she was not admitting to her emotions. Nevertheless, a fascinating read and sure to make you think about your own life and how you live it.
Rating:
Summary: A Mesmerizing Tale
Review: I am a female physician, so was interested in the medical side of the story. However, I found the account of life at the South Pole to be absolutely fascinating. She describes the mental side of such isolation very well. I read the book in two evenings, couldn't put it down. I have recommended it to all my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Book, Great Adventure!!
Review: Why oh why aren't there more than 5 stars to give this book?? It is such a fabulous adventure story, and then you add in the author's medical problems, and WHAT a story it is!!! She is a brave, smart, plucky woman and I cannot imagine what her children would give as reasons why they would not want any contact with her. (I have known women who were drug addicts or whatever with REAL problems and who truly abused their children in more ways than one, but reconciliation occurs all the time in those cases! Why not here?? I would love to meet Jerri Nielsen, but NOT her children!...) That said, I know it is none of my business, but I just can't say enough about this woman or about this book! It truly deserves all the media attention it is getting and I wish Jerri Nielsen the best in every way! Thanks for sharing your remarkable story with us!!
Rating:
Summary: I am listening to the audio version--read the book
Review: Unfortunately I chose to listen to this very good book in the audio version.. The author chose to read this herself. It has made the going very difficult as she is not a very good reader. Her reading is stilted and at times she stumbles over her words. Unless someone else is reading I would recommend you definitely read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for the biography reader
Review: I just finished the book today. I couldn't put it down! It is an excellent, descriptive, detailed and historical account of working and living at the South Pole. It makes me want to take a hiatus from my job to go there. It is inspirational and touching, with wonderful stories of bonding and friendship. I never knew that this type of work went on at the South Pole, so learning about it for the first time was just as interesting as Jerri's story. The people are courageous, the work is dangerous, and the book is well-written. Best biography I have read in a long while.
Rating:
Summary: Icebound: A remarkable story
Review: As a voracious reader of autobiographies/biographies/true stories etc, this book definately topped the charts! The inspiration and courage of Dr. Jerri should make us all want to be better people. The book starts out a little slow, as she sets up her growing up years, and eventually why she became a doctor, but only briefly touches on the dissolution of her marriage, and her estrangement from her children. However, in the first several chapters before she starts to tell of life at the pole, a sentence or two regarding her soon to be discovered cancer keeps you in the moment. In reading autobiographies, it's very rare that I see future references made to keep you interested and reveal part of the reason the book was written. There is some evidence of martyrdom-like thoughts that Dr. Jerri's parents taught her, i.e. that she should endanger her life for the lives of other if she had made a commitment to something, even discarding basic common sense. Although this may be an admirable trait for some, I found it to be a little outside the realm of sensability in certain areas. But it is apparent that this family is close and the children were raised to love and care for their fellow man. In any situation, I would definately want Dr. Jerri in my corner. I was fascinated at Dr. Jerri's descriptions of Antartica. You felt you were right there (except the cold, of course!) by the vivid explanations of the scenery, daily events, and general life in the coldest place on earth. Her descriptions of temperatures in the 80 degree below weather were extremely vivid. This was an excellent resource if you were ever wanting to do a report on Antartica as it certainly tells more than an Encyclopedia can about "real" life at the pole. It was apparent throughout the book, that Jerri was a great friend to her fellow "polies" as they would do anything for her (and obviously vice versa). I recently saw the story behind this book on one of the news magazine shows, and witnessed Dr. Jerri's best friend, Big John Penney, shed tears as he told of his efforts to help her when she discovered she had cancer. This man was a burly he-man type so affected by this wonderful doctor and person that he would have given his life for her, not to be a martyr but because he loved her as his friend. Once Jerri starts in modern day to describe life at the pole, her discovery of her cancer, and eventual rescue from the ice, the story moves very quickly as to keep the reader on the edge. Details about her chemo and side affects were sparse but she was excellent at conveying the emotional trauma she went through, and her will to survive and take care of her friends at the pole. It was clear that her first thoughts were never of herself, but of her co-workers/friends at the pole, and how her illness and subsequent recovery would affect them. I don't recall that she mentioned she ever missed taking care of one of the workers or closing down her south pole medical clinic for any period of time, and perhaps this is what gave her the will to recover. Dr. Jerri loves life and helping others and we are most fortunate to have doctors in our world who still have a great bedside manner. It amazed me that she never complained about life on the ice. In fact, by the end of the book, you have the distinct impression that she loved it there and would go back in a minute if they would let her. I learned a tremendous amount about the south pole, a land so foreign and far removed, it's another world in itself. I feel after reading this book that I know (without having to experience it first hand) what daily life is like at the pole (example: if you are outdoors and your goggles fog up, removing them could be a problem as the cold will freeze your eyes shut!) Even though cancer is a most horrible event in anyone's life, Jerri has painted a picture of what it was like in extremely meager conditions, without the benefits of modern day technology and medicine. However, she does not portray it this way to make her cancer experience seem worse than anyone else's. Just different. This is a fascinating book that I couldn't put down, and combined all the elements of great reading (suspense, human drama, laughter, tears). This is definately a must! Have a great read!
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: This book tells the doctor's own story-not just what the press wanted to print. Well-written and you will find yourself pulling for her as her breast cancer progresses. Overall just wonderful!!!!
Rating:
Summary: It was Great
Review: It only took me 3 days to read this book. I couldn't put it down and I learned alot about the South Pole too. I can't even image what the Doc was going through. It looked like to me even when she was possible facing death, she cared about so many others. I think she is a brave woman and I certainly admired her from reading about her adventures. She made alot of good friends there that will be with her forever.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: This book is the reason why ... needs a 6 star rating. I read about one book a month and this is the best book I have ever read. "Those are the times I can feel at home again, and remember Antartica." This last sentence of the book so well reflects the authors newly discovered feelings of home and friends.
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