A decent historical novel about the doomed Terra Nova expedition to the South Pole, led by Robert Scott, 1910-13. It's quite long and I did stop paying attention at times (I listened to the audiobook). All in all, however, Robert Ryan tells this story well, really bringing all the characters to life. More interesting than Scott himself, I thought, was the unly friendship between British Oates and "Norsky" Brahn (not sure if I spell the names right; again, due to listening on audio). Obviously there is also a sad and depressing finale. I pictured the whole story as something a high-budget five-part British TV-movie.audiobooks2 s Peter641 95

“Fortune would be in a hard mood indeed if it allowed such a combination of knowledge, experience, ability, and enthusiasm to achieve nothing.” Robert Falcon Scott

This novel is based on Robert Falcon Scott's attempts be the first man to reach the South Pole. His initial attempt in 1901 on the 'Discovery' with Ernest Shackleton when he achieved the feat of 'furthest South' but was ultimately beaten back by appalling weather before he could reach the Pole and the 1911 expedition when he and four companions reached The Pole, but died on the return journey.

Over the last century Scott has achieved immortality but whereas once he was regarded as a hero his reputation has taken something of a knock with people questioning his competence. It is pretty obvious that Scott's second expedition was desperately underfunded and in many respects it is only his drive and determination that it got as far as it did. Ryan is relatively even-handed in his portrayal of the man, sitting on the fence and taking neither side of the argument. Yes Scott is certainly flawed, made some wrong choices, some of his own making but also because some of his companions were less honest with him than they should have been, but he is also a victim of some very bad luck.

Ryan tells the story chiefly from three points of view, Scott's, Ernest Shackleton's and Lawrence Oates who also died on the ill-fated second expedition thus he manages to avoid the trap of over lionising all those who travelled South. This IMHO means that the story, although obviously some thing of a boy's own adventure, appears that realistic and credible. It is also a largely compelling tale and the author's depiction of the terrible privations that the polar explorers are very atmospheric meaning that at times I struggled to put the book down. It's apparent that Ryan has done his research but it must be remembered that this is meant as a novel rather than a biography.

Unfortunately what lets the book down is when it moves away from the central story to Scott's widow Kathleen. Whilst I understand that the author is trying to portray her as being as ambitious as her husband I feel that she comes out very flat and one dimensional. The author is obviously much better at writing about men than women. Overall a good read that may tempt the reader to learn more about Scott and his companions.

"Amundsen won the Pole. But,Scott, he achieved immortality."1 Lawrence602 28

I really d this book. Mr. Ryan paces his adventure story and tragedy quite well. I feel that he did a fair amount of research not only on the Scott expeditions, but also on what might have been the characters or personalities of the participants. His portrait of Scott and Dr. Williams is very good, as is the portrait of the young Cherry, who wrote what is described as one of the great travel books of the 20th century. For me, the portrait of Oates on the expedition is quite good, though I feel there is a disjunction in the book between the pre-expedition Oates and the strong and sad expedition Oates. The other characters were, for me, somewhat harder to individualize as they had relatively small and intermittent roles given the size of the expedition and the focus on the five who went on to the Pole. Their suffering, however, is described with immediacy.

The anticlimax that the characters feel at the Pole is a beautiful scene -- their grave disappointment at learning that Amundsen had beat them by a month, their despair at their present sense of the pointlessness of their suffering, the deterioration of any positive feelings in the face of the awful realities. The realization of doom is quiet and accepted. There are no histrionics. This is very emotional for the reader, especially the decline and heroism of Oates.

Un at least one other reader, I feel that the weakness in the book are the chapters on Mrs. Scott. I did not grasp, even fictionally, the strength of her attachment to Scott. I did not see the point of the rather wandering narration of her relations with Nanssen -- what exactly was going on in her mind? She remained for me somewhat cardboard and even distasteful. Additionally, as I hinted at above, the pre-expedition Oates is written unattractively. There is little to see in his backstory, as told by Mr. Ryan, to explain his essential reliability and nobility at the end.

I find myself wondering how these men could have made journeys of such length with so little support and so much pain. But I do not doubt Mr. Ryan's descriptions as they ring true and, as I suspect, also correspond with the descriptions of participants and eye-witnesses.

A nice read, indeed.1 Tim Corke661 7

Reading Death on Ice during a blustery UK autumn definitely puts things into perspective!

This is a captivating read that has everything; tragedy, human endeavour, courage, romance, action, sadness, intrigue, jealousy, the list goes on.

It is clearly well researched and whilst a fictional account, underpinned by a lot of facts and knowledge around teh subject. It presents the bravery and lure of the polar region to Capt Scott, the quiet and understated resolution of Wilson, the physical and mental strength of Bowers, and also the troubled and philosophical Oates.

It's a gripping story and would highly recommend to anyone.fiction international travel-adventure1 Kucharowa160

This was an interesting take on Scott's South Pole expedition. Everything was very detailed - maybe a little too detailed - but still quite entertaining sometimes. I did find myself dozing off during reading this because it got a bit boring at times. Overall, nice piece of historical fiction. I always want to learn more about topics that I never read much about. 3 stars. Katewood16147 2

Read while in Newfoundland. Marilyn Vermeulen29

An absolutely riveting book! It is heartbreaking, yet a book I will read again! I want to research the Antarctic expeditions to understand what drives men to reach such a dangerous goal. Sandra Benitez26

Considering that we all know what happened at the end and that a lot of the conversations are pure speculation the book could have been 200 pages shorter. Ryan CartwrightAuthor 3 books4

This is a weighty tome and there are times early on when you begin to wonder why Ryan is including so much back-story. He focuses on Capt. Scott (obviously);, Katherine, his wife and Capt Oates and he weaves a thread between their particular journeys towards the events of the fateful South Polar Expedition of 1910-1912.

Once the expedition narrative begins, however, you soon realise the value of all that back story. The interactions between Scott and Oates become something built upon their own stories. Katherine's story also comes to life because of what you read earlier. Knowing about their journey towards the expedition leads to greater empathy with their own journey to the pole. You feel every strain, every frustration and every grief as they struggle towards their goal.

This book is one a handful that have moved me to tears - and its been a while since any did. The devastation of the men when they first see Amundsen's flag is portrayed in such a way that I could sense the heartbreak and grief. In the end you see this a story of brave men, in impossible circumstances which were not all down to chance. There is no pretence here that Scott was a victim of bad luck or that others in the party were solely to blame for the tragic failure. There is also no laziness in simply blaming Scott for everything. The tale is woven such that you are aware of the difficulties caused by poor-decisions, pressure by Amundsen turning south and the fact they faced such freakishly bad weather and what appears to be simple bad luck.

This is a novelisation of course and Ryan admits where he has embellished the tale for artistic reasons but the overall feeling of the book is that you have been part of a story behind the facts. It may be one author's interpretation but you cannot escape the feeling of empathy and admiration for those brave, stupid, stubborn, flawed but ultimately heroic men.

This is a champion among novelisations. Fantastic read. Hanna21

A very well researched and very well written book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was shocked, saddened and touched in turns. I've read a lot of book on Antarctica and especially Scott's fatal expeditions in recent months and this is definitely one of the best and gripping fictionalised accounts I've come across. Ryan's approach to tell the story from different perspectives lends credibility and offers the reader an insight into the motivations, feelings and aspirations of the different characters.
The appendices are furthermore a very good starting point for further research and prove once more what a thorough and passionate job Ryan did in writing this book.
Very recommendable!
Dunkthebiscuit Kendrick24 6

I don't normally enjoy novelisations of real events, but this was much better than expected. It was well researched (bibliography at the back of the book went on for pages...) and it gave a very hard hitting account of the expeditions to the South Pole as well as events in the life of Oates and Scott leading up to them. It was gruesome in parts and hard to believe some of the choices made - ponies to pull the sleds?? It makes brutal reading in parts. What you are eventually left with is not shock that people died, but astonishment that anyone survived at all... Lucy Brotherton4

Enjoyed this immensely. Not knowing much about Scott and Oates and their Antarctic journey I was engrossed. A historical novel which tries to get into the heads of those made antarctic adventurers, and succeeds in telling a very gripping tale (even if you do know the ending). The only mistake I made was reading this on the train to work in winter. Being in a freezing train carriage, reading about people freezing in Antarctica meant I needed a good thawing out by the time I got to work! Spook16 4

A tour de force. Magnificent and spellbinding. Story of Scott's quest for the South Pole. Includes efforts of immense heroism and courage against appaling odds. We owe so much to men these but how soon we all forget. Another example of the British ability to turn a rout into a magnificent victory. Ladyreader3

I found the story of Scott's Antarctic journeys gripping and fascinating. This book was the catalyst to a fascination with early Antarctic expeditions and lead me to much further reading...even leading me to the Arctic explorers and uncovering the fact that most of the streets in my town are named after British Arctic explorers. Susan1,468

Wonderful account of Scott's expedition(s) to Antarctica. I've read some of the histories and I believe this is rather accurate historically and a very good read. Characters are well-drawn and interesting - as is the whole story. Fascinating characters, as they were in real life. The moment when they get to the South Pole is very vivid. What a story!antartica FannyAuthor 12 books11

It started off a little slow but by the time they arrived on the ice I was hooked.

I admit I know only a little about the Scott expedition but now I know a lot more even though this is a fictional retelling. Phil6

This give a much more detailed understanding of the events that led to Scotts ill fated journey. Sue167

always been fascinated by Scotts' journey to pole and its tragic ending and this book depicts all the horrors whilst delving into charactersborrowed-from-library-waiting-to-be Rob Messenger109 1 follower

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