In The Home of the Blizzard; Sir Douglas Mawson records his historic expedition to explore uncharted land in Antarctica. Pitted against formidable natural forces; he and his team faced unrelenting winds with speeds of up to two hundred miles per hour as well as freezing temperatures and day-long blizzards. They traversed the previously unexplored King George V Land directly south of Australia and collected geological samples and magnetic readings. After accident and illness led to the death of his two teammates; a starving and frostbitten Mawson finished one hundred miles of the return journey alone.Mawson kept a detailed journal of his expedition; reprinted here in the popular abridged version from 1930. He puts the reader at the cold; windy scene with vivid descriptions of the men and their sled dogs persevering over rough terrain. Mawson's thoughts upon losing his colleague Lt. Belgrave Ninnis in a deep; snow-covered crevasse in a glacier or while dangling from his own sled in another crevasse while alone and near death convey the dual excitement and danger that accompany his unique expedition. Readers will be swept up in Sir Douglas Mawson's amazing and historic adventures. The over 300 accompanying photographs taken during the Antarctic trip paint a vivid picture of that harsh and extraordinary land.
#475417 in Books Skyhorse Publishing 2012-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 6.10 x 6.00l; .90 #File Name: 1616086300336 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Moving and educationalBy L. LeeThis was a very informative and moving account of one Jewish man's life before; during and after the holocaust. The story begins describing life in Poland; traditions and observances of daily life. I very much enjoyed the description of weekly Sabbath observance and the deep lessons of faith and life the author learned from his father and grandfather - very moving.He describes the horrors of the holocaust with out need for graphics which brought tears to my eyes.The book also caused self refection on life; family; faith; friendship and community.I listened to this book but was very glad that I also had the kindle as there were passages that I went back to and highlighted for future reference.The reader took a chapter or two to get use to; but his voice fit the story perfectly.The only reason I gave this book a 4 star instead of a 5 star rating is because it does move slowly at times; however it is the pace of a life and once I got use to that I was totally engaged and constantly listening to hear what would happen next. I was sorry when the book ended as I felt like someone I knew and wanted to get to know more had moved away.I recommend this book highly. One of the best I have read on the holocaust.23 of 23 people found the following review helpful. A must readBy bernieThis is an excellent read. Martin Small's personal journey focuses on his time in a Polish shetl before the holocaust; and his time after the holocaust in Italy; Isreal and the US. It is extremely impactful; and documents how the lives of survivors were prior to the holocaust; and how their lives after the holocaust were affected by their horrendous experiences.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Almost unbelievable.By M. AllredI struggle with what to say about this book. Difficult to read; yes; but very good. I will be thinking about it for a long time; I’m certain. My main thought right now; having just finished it; is that I am so grateful Martin Small took the time to record his story. His descriptions of his childhood and adolescence in Poland were so vivid that I felt I could imagine the scenes. His miraculous survival and all that he went through during the Holocaust... simply mind-blowing. I won’t include any spoilers here; but his story is _almost_ unbelievable. It’s one of those times when truth is stranger than fiction; in the way that things played out and all the coincidences he experienced. I wondered at times if these things could have possibly happened the way he described. But; though I don’t know this man from Adam; something about his writing; his “voice;†just makes me trust him. I do believe he wrote this story as accurately as he possibly could. I highly recommend to all who are interested in this time period.
