Labyrinth of Ice

The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition

By: Buddy Levy

Narrated by: Will Damron

Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

"Listen to this if you want to hear a narrator at the top of his game recount a fascinating - and at times disturbing - true story of adventure, disaster, discovery, cannibalism, and more. Will Damron makes Levy's fascinating account of the Greely (Polar) Expedition come to life.... This is a harrowing adventure story and a great listen." (AudioFile Magazine)

Based on the author's exhaustive research, the incredible true story of the Greely Expedition, one of the most harrowing adventures in the annals of polar exploration.

In July 1881, Lt. A. W. Greely and his crew of 24 scientists and explorers were bound for the last region unmarked on global maps. Their goal: Farthest North. What would follow was one of the most extraordinary and terrible voyages ever made.

Greely and his men confronted every possible challenge - vicious wolves, sub-zero temperatures, and months of total darkness - as they set about exploring one of the most remote, unrelenting environments on the planet. In May 1882, they broke the 300-year-old record, and returned to camp to eagerly await the resupply ship scheduled to return at the end of the year. Only nothing came.

Two hundred fifty miles south, a wall of ice prevented any rescue from reaching them. Provisions thinned and a second winter descended. Back home, Greely’s wife worked tirelessly against government resistance to rally a rescue mission.

Months passed, and Greely made a drastic choice: He and his men loaded the remaining provisions and tools onto their five small boats, and pushed off into the treacherous waters. After just two weeks, dangerous floes surrounded them. Now, new dangers awaited: insanity, threats of mutiny, and cannibalism. As food dwindled and the men weakened, Greely's expedition clung desperately to life.

Labyrinth of Ice tells the true story of the heroic lives and deaths of these voyagers hell-bent on fame and fortune - at any cost - and how their journey changed the world.

Praise for Labyrinth of Ice:

"Polar exploration is utter madness. It is the insistence of life where life shouldn’t exist. And so, Labyrinth of Ice shows you exactly what happens when the unstoppable meets the unmovable. Buddy Levy outdoes himself here. The details and story are magnificent." (Brad Meltzer, New York Time best-selling author of The First Conspiracy)

"An engaging, superbly written, and meticulously researched chronicle of the Greely expedition that proves it is one of the most engaging adventure narratives ever. With cinematic prose, great economy of language, and vivid descriptions, Levy places readers in the middle of the action.... More than a nonfiction book about an expedition, Labyrinth of Ice reads like an outstanding script for an action movie." (NPR)

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Buddy Levy (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

An incredible read

I will never complain about being cold or hungry again after reading this book. The journey Greely and his men endured is described wonderfully in this book and gives an incredible insight into the hardships the men faced. I finished the book in 3 days and I have never finished a book in that time.

The limits of human will power, amazing story!

Buddy, you have a new fan after this one! A well presented tale, I loved it, couldn’t put it down. This story is so outlandish one could confuse it with the unrealistic plot of some BS Hollywood flick. But no, it’s a true story that has it all, hero’s, scandal, love, human extremes, and great storytelling, by Buddy!

This will be a book I revisit!

Dramatic and engrossing

The story started out a little slow, but hang in there because it gets very interesting after a few chapters. And listen all the way through the epilogue where it explains how the information gathered is the basis for much of today’s weather science.

Stop reading reviews and read the book already!

Stop reading reviews and read the book already!! Every word you read here could be a word you read of this tragic and triumph tale.

Great story of strength and tragedy

The author did a great job until the last chapter when he had to start giving his personal opinion instead of just stating the facts. If you skip the last chapter it’s an extremely good book

Riveting and well read

A well written account of heroism that most people have never heard. Read extremely well. It reads like an action movie.

Very detailed

If you want to know in depth details of this expedition including some sad and triumphant endings, this book is for you.

A life worth writing about!

Heard about this book on the Meateater podcast and had to get it immediately! Great story, very well written and read! I enjoyed it very much and it certainly puts my daily struggles in perspective. Thanks! Now I'm on to more books by Buddy Levy....

Will Damron

Like I said before he can read a phone book and do no wrong. Story was better with him narrating for sure. I never listen/read these kinds of books but here we are..

“There is a world and something worth striving for “ A.G.

I approached this book based on my own assumption that it’s subject would be gritty and dark, and while it is brimming with grit and shadow, it is at its base and woven throughout a story of valor and the depths of human compassion and camaraderie in an impossible situation.

I would absolutely and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing what true heroism and elegant leadership look like in the flesh.

It contains many passages from the mens personal journals so prepare yourself to bond deeply with these men and to share a heartfelt connection in moments of both triumph and crushing defeat. The grief herein is brutal and the indomitable spirit of man shines so brightly that this listener is utterly blown away.

I don’t want to spoil anything but I wanted to give a small nod to a few beautiful creatures that (for obvious reasons) weren’t discussed as much as their human counterparts; RIP; Button, Disco King, and Flipper. I wept for each of you.

brilliant book

another whopper book from buddy levy. another story of hardship and perseverence. they went through a very tough time

Masterpiece

One of the best and most epic accounts of exploration. Must read for all fans of polar exploration.