In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette

The story of the crew of the Artic exploring ship Jeanette is indeed a harrowing tale of almost mind numbing survival and death. Meticulously researched and easily readable, the true story includes many asides and insights into life during and after the Centennial Exposition in the USA in 1876. Rutherfotd B Hayes defeated Tilden with Tilden winning the popular vote. Opponents called the President Rutherfraud! His wife Hetty was a teetotaler and it was said in the White House "the water flowed like wine". Edison's early experiments with electric lights are covered but they were referred to as "artificial suns". Captain DeLong, leader of the expedition, along with his wife Emma, stayed at a modern hotel in San Francisco with the first hydraulic powered elevator referred to as a "rising room". I finished the 400 page book in four days, a truly absorbing read that won't disappoint.