The Ice Balloon

Set against the backdrop of 1897, the narrative explores S. A. Andrée's daring attempt to reach the North Pole by hydrogen balloon, reflecting the era's adventurous spirit. Utilizing Andrée's diaries and contemporary accounts, Alec Wilkinson vividly recounts this ambitious expedition while highlighting the challenges faced by over 1,000 explorers in the harsh Arctic environment. The story is both suspenseful and haunting, revealing the beauty and brutality of life on the ice, as well as the relentless pursuit of discovery during a pivotal time in exploration history.