Now in paperback with a new chapter by the author, "Ice Bound" is the inspiring true story of Dr. Jerri Nielsen, the physician with breast cancer stranded at a South Pole research station, whose amazing rescue made headlines around the globe. Set in a remote and desolate yet strikingly beautiful landscape, Nielsen's narrative of her transforming experience is a thrilling adventure. of photos.

Reviews

Nielsen spent the better part of 1999 as the physician for a team of 41 research scientists and their support group at the South PoleDa place that is completely unreachable for nine months of the year. To "winter" at the bottom of the world risks one's life; in addition, Nielsen was solely responsible for caring for the physical and emotional health of all the other "Polies." Yet, as she writes in a strong, lucid voice, she never felt afraid; in fact, as Nielsen became "of the Ice"Da transformation that brings incredible clarity about what's most important in this life, one that unites the Polies in a life-and-death symbiosis in a place where resources are severely limited and the pristine beauty is incomparableDshe felt safer than she had ever felt since childhood. Through power outages, fires and equipment failures, Nielsen found courage, until the dayDdeep into the pitch-black winterDshe absentmindedly discovered a hard mass at the top of her right breast. Harnessing the love, skills and intelligence of her fellow Polies, and by consulting with experts in the U.S. via satellite and e-mail, Nielsen conducted a biopsy on herself, using ice as an anesthetic, and completed several rounds of chemotherapy before she could be rescuedDin a daring presummer attempt. Captivating and incisive, Nielsen does not present a memoir about illness; instead, this excellent book is about life, work and the depth of human resiliency and love. (Jan.) Forecast: Nielsen's work is on a par with the best of the popular survival genre. First serial rights have been sold to Talk magazine, and A&E is including Nielsen's story in its Biography series. Interviews have been scheduled with Diane Sawyer, Good Morning America and Elle magazine. All that adds up to a bestseller. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Adult/High School-In this riveting first-person account, Nielsen describes her work as a doctor and her fight with breast cancer at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. An emergency-room physician in a major hospital, the author was burned out and broken by an abusive husband and bitter divorce. An advertisement for a job in Antarctica caught her attention and soon she was getting her bearings at the South Pole. In the first half of the book, the author does a wonderful job of describing the frozen world under the geodesic dome and the tribal existence of 41 people living on a frozen plateau in complete darkness and total isolation. In the second section, Nielsen describes her realization that she had breast cancer and that she must turn to the outside world for help. Through heart-wrenching e-mails, she plotted a course of action with a doctor in the United States. She taught a team of mechanics, welders, and other Polies to perform a biopsy and give her chemotherapy. When that failed, in a massive global effort, she was evacuated. An easy read with an engrossing story in an unforgiving setting, this is also a story of growth, endurance, teamwork, and survival.-Jane S. Drabkin, Chinn Park Regional Library, Prince William, VA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Remote location, extreme weather, and deadly disease these are the obstacles that Nielsen faces in Ice Bound. As part of a research team, her assignment to the Antarctic included an eight-month stretch in which she would literally be cut off from the rest of the world, except for a satellite hook-up that allowed e-mail and intermittent video and audio transmissions. More than half of Nielsen's memoir deals with the events leading up to her decision to volunteer for this adventure, the preparations relating to such a lengthy tour, and the actual drama surrounding her travel to this isolated community. She describes the equality that must exist among everyone at the Pole; as the only doctor, her skills are no more important than those of the mechanic or plant manager. The latter part of the book details her discovery of a lump in her breast and the complications of getting treatment. The majority of her information about the disease and her options comes from e-mail contact with physicians in the United States, who try to advise her based on verbal descriptions of her condition. Despite air-dropped chemotherapy treatments, Nielsen's health deteriorates to the point where a hazardous air rescue is attempted in order to get her out early and save her life. An absolutely riveting account of hardship and perseverance. Highly recommended for all collections. Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll., Kansas City, MO Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.