Skip to content

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette Hardcover - 2014

by Hampton Sides


From the publisher

New York Times bestselling author Hampton Sides returns with a white-knuckle tale of polar exploration and survival in the Gilded Age

In the late nineteenth century, people were obsessed by one of the last unmapped areas of the globe: the North Pole. No one knew what existed beyond the fortress of ice rimming the northern oceans, although theories abounded. The foremost cartographer in the world, a German named August Petermann, believed that warm currents sustained a verdant island at the top of the world. National glory would fall to whoever could plant his flag upon its shores. James Gordon Bennett, the eccentric and stupendously wealthy owner of The New York Herald, had recently captured the world's attention by dispatching Stanley to Africa to find Dr. Livingstone. Now he was keen to re-create that sensation on an even more epic scale. So he funded an official U.S. naval expedition to reach the Pole, choosing as its captain a young officer named George Washington De Long, who had gained fame for a rescue operation off the coast of Greenland. De Long led a team of 32 men deep into uncharted Arctic waters, carrying the aspirations of a young country burning to become a world power. On July 8, 1879, the USS Jeannette set sail from San Francisco to cheering crowds in the grip of "Arctic Fever." The ship sailed into uncharted seas, but soon was trapped in pack ice. Two years into the harrowing voyage, the hull was breached. Amid the rush of water and the shrieks of breaking wooden boards, the crew abandoned the ship. Less than an hour later, the Jeannette sank to the bottom, and the men found themselves marooned a thousand miles north of Siberia with only the barest supplies. Thus began their long march across the endless ice--a frozen hell in the most lonesome corner of the world. Facing everything from snow blindness and polar bears to ferocious storms and frosty labyrinths, the expedition battled madness and starvation as they desperately strove for survival. With twists and turns worthy of a thriller, In The Kingdom of Ice is a spellbinding tale of heroism and determination in the most unforgiving territory on Earth.

Details

  • Title In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
  • Author Hampton Sides
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 454
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Doubleday Books, New York
  • Date 2014-08-05
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780385535373 / 0385535376
  • Weight 1.85 lbs (0.84 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.5 in (23.88 x 16.26 x 3.81 cm)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2014004367
  • Dewey Decimal Code 910.452

Media reviews

"Drawing on lost letters and diaries, first-hand experience of the polar landscape, and his own masterful storytelling skills, Hampton Sides conjures the doomed USS Jeannette and her courageous crew with haunting power. As the drama escalates—on ice, sea, and land—the characters of these men and their extraordinary, gallant leader loom larger and larger. The reader is drawn into the ice from the first page and will not want to leave until the fate of every man is known."
 -      Caroline Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The Endurance and The Bounty 

“Hampton Sides has written a dazzling page-turner.  Full of unforgettable characters and vividly described scenes, In the Kingdom of Ice breathes fresh, exuberant, and very personal life into the polar adventure story that once riveted the world.”
 -         Nathaniel Philbrick, New York Times bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea, Bunker Hill and Sea of Glory

“This is an astonishingly good story, told by one of the best storytellers of our age. Alone, the tale of the USS Jeannette is darkly gripping. In the hands of Hampton Sides, it is impossible to put down, packed with irresistible characters and incredible moments of horror and heroism. As soon as I finished it, I flipped to the first page and began reading it again.”
 -         Candice Millard, New York Times bestselling author of The Destiny of the Republic  and The River of Doubt
 
“Hampton Sides masterfully recounts one of the greatest and most harrowing adventures of all time. In the Kingdom of Ice is a spellbinding tale not only of a journey into the Arctic but also into the very nature of man.”
 -         David Grann, New York Times bestselling author of The Lost City of Z

"Hampton Sides is a master storyteller, and here he has delivered a stunningly vivid account of perhaps the most dramatic polar mission you never heard of. Once you start, you won't stop.”
-       Mark Bowden, New York Times Bestselling author of Black Hawk Down
 

 “Read this book in two ways-- fast, for the hair-raising excitement of what happens to the brave men of the Jeannette, and then slowly, to take in the clarity of the writing and the unshowy elegance of the structure. The grand disaster that befell this expedition, and the heroic, truly Siberian sufferings of Captain De Long and his comrades, have found a brilliant chronicler in Hampton Sides.”
-         Ian Frazier, National Bestselling author of Travels in Siberia and On the Rez
 
"With colorful characters and rich research distilled into gripping suspense, In the Kingdom of Ice gives us a fascinating but little-known slice of American history that resonates strongly amid our contemporary discussions of climate change. Here is a vivid tale of exploration set in a howling, deadly wilderness."
 -        T.J. Stiles, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of Cornelius Vanderbilt

  "Hampton Sides is one of America’s most expansive and engaging storytellers, and he proves it again with the incredible saga of the USS JeannetteIn The Kingdom of Ice is far more than the tale of a polar expedition gone awry.  Sides has brought together an absolutely marvelous cast of characters – daring and dangerous and more than a little preposterous  – to tell not just a classic adventure story, but to shine a fine light on that bizarre American era known as the Gilded Age. All works of history should be half this much fun."  
 -         Scott Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Lawrence in Arabia
 
"Hampton Sides has written an arctic thriller, an authentic narrative masterpiece that I put down only reluctantly and willingly gave up sleep in order to finish. I had to find out what happened to these remarkable men in that wide and desolate sea of ice. 
-         S.C. Gwynne, New York Times bestselling author of Empire of the Summer Moon   and Rebel Yell

"Hampton Sides' many gifts include his ability to make readers feel the bracing cold of Arctic winds and the smoldering heat of separated lovers. This extraordinary book overflows with heroic characters and bursts with insight into a young nation flexing its ambitions on a global scale. The result is narrative nonfiction history at its very best. In the Kingdom of Ice has earned a place among the great sea adventure stories." 
-         Mitchell Zuckoff, New York Times bestselling author of Frozen in Time and Lost in  Shangri-La.

 “Another crackling tale of adventure from journalist/explorer Sides...this one focusing on a frigid disaster nearly 150 years ago… A grand and grim narrative of thrilling exploration for fans of Into Thin AirMountains of the Moon and the like.”
-         Kirkus (Starred Review)

About the author

HAMPTON SIDES is an award-winning editor of Outside and the author of the bestselling histories Hellhound on his Trail, Blood and Thunder and Ghost Soldiers.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette

by Sides, Hampton

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.36
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Doubleday, 2014-01-01. Hardcover. Acceptable. 6x1x5.
Item Price
NZ$9.36
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2014. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2014. Hardcover. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2014. Hardcover. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2014. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2014. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.24
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Hampton Sides

  • Used
  • good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
12
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$10.37
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2014. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$10.37
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette

by Sides, Hampton

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Interlochen, Michigan, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.47
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Former library book with the usual stamps, stickers and labels. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Item Price
NZ$11.47
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Sides, Hampton

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$11.74
FREE shipping to USA
In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

In the Kingdom of Ice : The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the U.S.S. Jeannette

by Sides, Hampton

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780385535373
ISBN 10
0385535376
Quantity Available
10
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.74
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$11.74
FREE shipping to USA