- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Sceptre; New Ed edition (15 Sep 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340823054
- ISBN-13: 978-0340823057
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,245,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
'Scrupulously researched and intensely imagined ... an ambitious undertaking - beautifully, sinuously written ... an outstanding delight' (Scotland on Sunday )
'A snowbound narrative that rates a place alongside Jack London, Peter Hoeg and Andrea Barrett' (Guardian )
'Compelling ... a splendid depiction of a time, not so long ago, when science could still cost you your life.' (Jon Turney, Independent )
'A beautiful first person narrative of this passionate man's life' (The Times )
'A fascinating thriller.' (Sunday Business Post )
'Crisp, poetic prose' (Observer )
'Mesmerisingly beautiful' (Bookseller )
'A snowbound narrative that rates a place alongside Jack London, Peter Hoeg and Andrea Barrett' (Guardian )
'Compelling ... a splendid depiction of a time, not so long ago, when science could still cost you your life.' (Jon Turney, Independent )
'A beautiful first person narrative of this passionate man's life' (The Times )
'A fascinating thriller.' (Sunday Business Post )
'Crisp, poetic prose' (Observer )
'Mesmerisingly beautiful' (Bookseller )
Rachel Hore, The Guardian. 26th April 2003.
...a snowbound narrative that rates a place alongside Jack London, Peter Høeg and Andrea Barrett...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I highly recommend this fictionionalised account of Alfred Wegener's extraordinary life. What I enjoyed was learning about a character that I had never heard of before and yet who has contributed so much to our knowledge of the earth.
I enjoyed the way the book was written-a personal narrative, very convincingly done, as though Wegener himself is relating his thoughts and feelings to you.
And I enjoyed learning about a part of the world of which I knew nothing. As a result I am adding to my own jigsaw of knowledge by reading further accounts of polar explorations!
There is great attention to detail in the sections on the explorations of Greenland-you feel that you can appreciate the scale of daring, determination and heroism by such pioneers as Wegener.
You also feel that you are party to these expeditions-what supplies had to be taken, how you would negotiate with the local Inuit to help you transport them, how you would survive in polar conditions(I hadn't expected infestation by fleas to be a problem in the arctic regions!).
There is a subtle pathos that you, the reader, feels knowing the outcome of the story-and the eventual outcome that will prove Wegener's fantastic and (at the time)unbelievable theories to be right.
A wonderful read-very unusual and very rewarding!
I enjoyed the way the book was written-a personal narrative, very convincingly done, as though Wegener himself is relating his thoughts and feelings to you.
And I enjoyed learning about a part of the world of which I knew nothing. As a result I am adding to my own jigsaw of knowledge by reading further accounts of polar explorations!
There is great attention to detail in the sections on the explorations of Greenland-you feel that you can appreciate the scale of daring, determination and heroism by such pioneers as Wegener.
You also feel that you are party to these expeditions-what supplies had to be taken, how you would negotiate with the local Inuit to help you transport them, how you would survive in polar conditions(I hadn't expected infestation by fleas to be a problem in the arctic regions!).
There is a subtle pathos that you, the reader, feels knowing the outcome of the story-and the eventual outcome that will prove Wegener's fantastic and (at the time)unbelievable theories to be right.
A wonderful read-very unusual and very rewarding!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I loved this book. Read it on a long train journey so I can agree with the comments about it being dream-like, but it mainly feels very human. This author understands about a man's obsession, but also the need in us all to make a mark. I didn't read Ms Dudman's end-notes until I'd finished so I was pleased to find out she'd taken his voice from his own diaries - probably why it feels so real. Doesn't feel hampered by facts though - it's imaginative in its structure. I'm definitely not a scientist, but I did get to feel a bit of the excitement of these discoveries.
Format:Paperback
I knew the end of the story from history, but as I read, I bitterly wanted it to be different. This is a gripping and lyrical and satisfying read and Wegener an engaging character - highly recommended.
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