Ice Bound

Author: Dr. Jerri Nielsen
ISBN: 0786886994

After watching the TV movie for this incredible story, I decided I wanted to read Dr. Nielsen's account of her ordeal in Antartica. So I ordered it at Borders, only knowing the name of the title. I knew the name was 'Ice Bound', but didn't realize it was TWO words. I received a different 'Icebound' story about Antartica, so it will probably be on my reading list shortly, too.

I have to say, Dr. Nielsen's account of her ordeal is much more heartfelt and powerful than the television movie. While seeing Susan Sarandon play such an interesting character was also powerful and moving, the screenplay writers obviously took a lot of large liberties with the story.

As an example, in the television movie, the character portrayed by Susan Sarandon seemed to be a person who took the job opportunity in Antartica as a way to get AWAY from people. Dr Nielsen actually took the job as an adventure, a chance to bond closer with those people around her.

I like the way the book intersperses Dr. Nielsen's personal accounts of her story with e-mails she sent to family, friends and her doctor's as well as among other co-workers, Polies, who were spending the winter over with her in the darkest season down at the bottom of the Earth. You can sense her daily struggle as well as how close she became to her friends in Antartica. this is definitely a good read.