Ice Bound

A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole

By: Jerri Nielsen

Narrated by: Jerri Nielsen

Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The Antarctic winter, with temperatures 100 degrees below zero, shuts supply lines down completely; conditions are too treacherous for planes and boats and the only connection with the rest of the world is satellite hook-up.

During the long winter of 1999, Dr. Nielsen, the only physician on a staff of 41 people, discovered a lump in her breast. Consulting via satellite e-mail with doctors in the US, she was forced to perform a biopsy and in June began to treat herself with chemotherapy, in order to insure that she could survive until conditions permitted her rescue in October.

A daring rescue by the Air National Guard ensued, who landed, dropped off a replacement physician, and in less than five minutes took off with Dr. Nielsen.

Set in one of the most remote and desolate yet strikingly beautiful landscapes on earth, Jerri Nielsen's narrative of her transforming experiences is a thrilling adventure of researchers and scientists embattled by a hostile environment, a chronicle of marvels - and limits - of modern medical technology, and a penetrating exploration of the dynamics of an isolated, intensely connected community faced with adversity.

But at its core this is a powerfully moving drama of one woman's voyage of self-discovery and courage and the fierce dedication of scores of colleagues - both known and unknown to her - whose aid proved to be her salvation.

©2002 Jerri Nielsen (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Fabulous True Story and Jerri's side of the story

I have listened to this book twice since I purchased it. I am fascinated with the life of those who blaze trails in unusual places. Life down there is HARD! Of course we all know that, but I loved the details and the entertainment cooked up to make life a little more tolerable.

The story of her cancer is terrible and the communications set up to help were extraordinary.

Most of all though, I was grateful to hear her side of the story. As she explains in the book, her husband tainted the news that we heard. At the time, I was furious that a mother would abandon her children to selfishly go on this adventure. NOT SO!!!

Story is worth the listen

I was disappointed like other listeners at the poor narration by the author. However, her incredible story is worth getting used to the voice. After listening for a while the narration is not so bothersome and you really do get caught up in the drama that Dr. Nielsen experienced at the South Pole. If you are a fan of stories like "Into Thin Air" you will enjoy this very much.

A compelling Story

What did you love best about Ice Bound?

This is a very descriptive narrative of life at the South Pole, and a very brave, courageous woman's fight for survival. Hopefully her children will have learnt something about the struggle between their parents, assuming they took the time to read her book.

Great story, terrible narration

Great story but the narrator lacked experience in story telling, sounded as if she was reading a script and often stumbling over words. That said its still worth the read.

Grab a blanket! You will feel the cold!

This book is about a doctor that discovered a lump in her breast shortly after the last plane left the South Pole. She was stuck there for over 8 months before they were able to rescue her.

While telling the story of her ordeal she also paints a picture of what life is like living in such a harsh environment. You will feel the cold as you listen to the stories of how people work and play at temperatures below zero.

I do not know if it was the recording or the reader but this book often has a slight pause in the middle of a word. I tend to feel that it was the reader though. If not for this, I would give this 5 stars.

Interesting story

Interesting story, but author really should not have read her own book. She seemed to stumble through parts of it. The story; however, was good enough that it kept me listening.

excellent but robotic

Amazing story with a robotic reading. increasing the reading speed helps a little. i wonder now that the kids are grown, if they have any remorse for neglecting their Mom.

Reading is Painful

I'm not even half way through the book and the reading is so painful that I'll probably get the book out of the library and read it myself. Whoever made the decision to make this into an audiobook should have recommended hiring a professional reader. The author had an incredible story and wrote a decent book, but is not a reader.

Great story but painful narration

I read this book when it came out in hardback and really liked it. Nearly 20 years ago. So, I thought I'd revisit it by listening to it. She has no inflection, no enthusiasm in her voice. It's very flat. I can take it for a while but after about half an hour I simply have to stop listening to her voice. I'm about 3/4's of the way through right now and I'm actually going to take a break and start another book before I finish it. I need a break! The written book is infinitely better than this audible recording because it is quite an amazing story. I was a chemo nurse at the time of reading and I just was with her all the way, sweating bullets. I still am finding many of her insights of life at the pole extremely interesting and thought-provoking now. If only the author weren't reading this book.

good story but...

I enjoyed the story that was told but the book was narrated by the author and that made it a very painful listen. Not many authors make good narrators.