Rating: 
Summary: A Forbidden, Wondrous Continent
Review: Every so often an author creates a book that propels one through time into a place where we can measure how far we have come and how arduous was the journey. Dr. Doumani has created such a work. Antarctica is a place as foreign to me as the moon or outer space, yet through skillful narrative with wholly human contacts and foibles, this geologist has given us all a vivid texture of a forbidden, wondrous continent. A place that I doubt I shall ever experience first hand but one which I feel has come to life through this book's fascinating story of early exploration. It is scientific without being burdensome, compelling without being pretentious, delightful and funny yet captivating in mystery and danger. Why do we want to have such a book by our side? As Dr. Doumani states: "One conquest was not enough. It never is. It is...a response to a challenge, a decisive test of man's endurance" which will always bind and attract us as long as our curiousity and love of life continue.
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Summary: authentic events, engaging, personal and readable
Review: Everyone who has spent time in the field in the Antarctic will identify with this book--armchair explorers will find it intriguing. In this authentic account, Dr. Doumani gives readers more than a passing glimpse into the minds and hearts of those who know Antarctica. As part of the United States team of geophysical researchers during the International Geophysical Year in 1958, and several later expeditions, Dr. Doumani relates the day-to-day hardships as well as the triumphs that this inhospitable land can generate. He writes in a style that brings the reader along with him not as an observer only, but as a participant in his expeditions. He obviously kept a detailed diary and it is the foundation of the book, but the excellent writing recreates an authentic dialogue of events, description of people invloved, and account of exploration in the field that is personal and up close. Dr. Doumani is not out to created heroes of himself or others, but to describe the role that each person played in the drama--allowing all to emerge as heroes. In so doing he has developed a story that is engaging, personal and, above all readable. Several old polar hands from this era of exploration stated to me that they could not put the book down--it moved them, took them back to a time past, and refreshed their sense of having been "on the ice". There is no finer testament!
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Summary: Factual, funny and sad,full of the realities of exploration
Review: From the Book Review section of the Antarctican Society Newsletter, by John Splettstoesser.George Doumani has a knack for writing, and is also fair in what he writes. The book recounts events in George's life during five expeditions to Antarctica, beginning with 1958 when the IGY was already under way, and ending in 1965. George wintered at Byrd Station in his first year, and also participted in the over-snow traverses in Marie Byrd Land, exploring new territory along the way. Much of the contents of the book revolve around personality differences among eveyone involved, some of it reflecting the interactions among Navy and civilians, station life and its associated problems of isolation and confinement during the winter and also the little things that become enlarged into big things for no apparent reason. For example, the choice of the daily movie at the station, choice of music played and its volume during meals at the station, minor peeves that flair up into words that one regrets later, and so on. Knowing George personally it is easy to understand that he would often be the mediator, and would control his words and temper. Much of that comes out in his book. He is also a hard worker, which makes a big difference in situations where everyone is expected to "pull his own weight." (Pulling "her" own weight did not apply at that time in the U.S. Program--"she" did not appear until the 1969-70 season, and then every season since).
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Summary: Very enjoyable
Review: I have just finished reading The Frigid Mistress and would like to say that I enjoyed every word. I almost felt that I had been on the trip myself and endured the discomfort, expectations, satisfaction, and fulfilment. I was fascinating to hear about the day to day problems and all those little things that I have always wanted to know but been too embarassed to ask about. I am sure the book will give pleasure and insight to all readers.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book. A very Good Read
Review: The Frigid Mistress is simply excellent. As one who only can wish to go to Antarctica, I could not comment on the authenticity, but after speaking to my dad on the subject, I'd say Dr. Doumani hit it right on the nose. I know my father, who participated in these expeditions, also really enjoyed reading the book. I thought it was particularly interesting how the explorers made it around in those early years, let alone survive. And to think that now people can purchase vacations to the same place! This is a side of my dad that I was really looking forward to hearing about. Dr. Doumani writes in a way that is very informative, yet very easy to read, and at many times humorous. I wish I could think of a way to get down there; I would go in a heartbeat.
Rating:
Summary: If I could, I would go to Antarctica in a heartbeat.
Review: The Frigid Mistress is simply excellent. As one who only can wish to go to Antarctica, I could not comment on the authenticity, but after speaking to my dad on the subject, I'd say Dr. Doumani hit it right on the nose. I know my father, who participated in these expeditions, also really enjoyed reading the book. I thought it was particularly interesting how the explorers made it around in those early years, let alone survive. And to think that now people can purchase vacations to the same place! This is a side of my dad that I was really looking forward to hearing about. Dr. Doumani writes in a way that is very informative, yet very easy to read, and at many times humorous. I wish I could think of a way to get down there; I would go in a heartbeat.
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Summary: A Compelling Account of the Human Side of Scientific Pursuit
Review: The Frigid Mistress is very well written, factually educational, and throroughly enjoyable. Dr. Doumani, a geologist of world repute and a veteran of several Antarctic expeditions, uses plain but powerful language to make the reader feel part of this remote and desolate corner of the world, so much so that I shivered as I read the book. Equally important, the visits to Antarctica delivered proof of many scientific facts which hitherto had been largely theories. For example, it was long suspected that the Southern Hemisphere continents had once been one large continent including Antarctica, and then, over geologic time, they broke up and drifted apart. Now there can be no doubt; it is a fact. This and many other discoveries described by Dr. Doumani provide scientific validations, and always in a fascinating way. For enjoyment, entertainment, and being eduated in the process, this licid, highly recommended reading deserves five stars--or more.
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Summary: Stimulating and invaluable to those interested in adventure.
Review: The Frigid Mistress stimulated my interest to learn more about the most isolated continent on the planet. Dr. Doumani candidly delves into the lives of men who could not resist the challenge to explore and unravel the mysteries of this unknown world. He gives an enlightening account of human behavior under the most stressful conditions of isolation. The scientists, civilians and military personnel interacted in the most primitive living conditions. Then experienced loliness and a claustrophobic atmosphere during the dark winter months with no contact with the civilized world and the way of life they left behind. Dr. Doumani captures the readers attention and interest by giving us vivid insights into the personalitites of these explorers. I highly recommend this well written book. It would be invaluable to anyone interested in Antarctica.
Rating:
Summary: Stimulating and invaluable to those interested in adventure.
Review: The Frigid Mistress stimulated my interest to learn more about the most isolated continent on the planet. Dr. Doumani candidly delves into the lives of men who could not resist the challenge to explore and unravel the mysteries of this unknown world. He gives an enlightening account of human behavior under the most stressful conditions of isolation. The scientists, civilians and military personnel interacted in the most primitive living conditions. Then experienced loliness and a claustrophobic atmosphere during the dark winter months with no contact with the civilized world and the way of life they left behind. Dr. Doumani captures the readers attention and interest by giving us vivid insights into the personalitites of these explorers. I highly recommend this well written book. It would be invaluable to anyone interested in Antarctica.
Rating:
Summary: Wrong Reviewers' Names Listed
Review: The reviewers names listed are incorrect. The same name (Carl Lackey) appears on most reviews. Lackey sent one review only. The rest of the reviews must have other names. Better check your archives and apply the correct names to the reviews.
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