This is a true tale of Dr. Bunes experiences as the medical officer on the Coast Guard Ice breaker, Glacier. In 1970 the Glacier became trapped in the ice not far from where the Shackelton ship, Endurance was trapped. this book describes their ordeal and talks about life spent in the Antarctic regions. A glimpse of history that few can tell. Wind, Fire, and Ice is a story about a physician who starts out with a set of false assumptions--namely that he is going have an easy assignment and see numerous exotic ports, but then slowly comes to realize a much different hard reality I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This seems to be a case of the synopsis overselling book. While Wind, Fire, and Ice does include the title elements and several harrowing episodes, it’s majority is basic scientific explanation of the region and tour guide—type descriptions.. interesting enough for what it is, but very slow-moving in quite a few places.

Thank you to Robert M. Bunes, Lyons Press, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Robert M. Bunes volunteered to serve on an ice breaker (called the Glacier) headed to Antarctica in the U.S. Coast Guard at the height of the Vietnam War. Bunes explains he didn’t agree with the war, but he also wanted to serve his country. The Public Health Service offered a way to serve without having to serve directly in Vietnam.

He joins the Coast Guard as a way to avoid fighting in Vietnam without acting with cowardice, but he soon discovers so many great things accompanying Coast Guard service—a sense of pride in serving a branch that has rescued more than one million people (according to Coast Guard historians), fellow service members who share his mission to save lives, even some whom become personal friends, and better pay than being a medical intern. Readers quickly learn it takes a brave individual to serve on an ice breaker headed to Antarctica.

This is a memoir—most readers will already know this—so, if you are expecting a clinical approach, your expectations might be dashed. However, I really enjoyed the conversational style of the writing. I really felt like I was there with Bunes, his boss Captain Brennan, and the uptight chief who loves crew cuts and hates Bunes’ mustache. Bunes includes photos and maps as visual aids (it’s really helpful when he is describing the specifics of Antarctica).

I really enjoyed how Bunes uses Ernest Shackleton as a comparison to his predicament. Of course, Shackleton and his crew were heroes for their explorations and brave survival in frigid conditions in Antarctica, but, while Bunes and his crew aren’t afforded the same reverence and don’t experience the same conditions, they do have to demonstrate similar traits, particularly perseverance as they face multiple obstacles. Overall, a great read. Thanks to the author, Rowman & Littlefield and NetGalley for the ARC.

A good book regarding the Coast Guard ice breaker efforts in Antarctica. The author does a good great of describing the mission and the impact on the crew during the9r voyage. The only drawback I felt was the authors resentment of the politics and authority. This seemed to detract more from the story than it added.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

296 pages

5 stars

This is a wonderful story of one man's adventure aboard a Coast Guard Icebreaker in the Antarctic seas.

Dr. Robert Bunes, just graduated from medical school and at the height of the VietNam war in 1970, didn't really want to go to Viet Nam. It wasn't that he didn't love his country, he just didn't believe in the war. But, he found another way to serve his country. He would join the Coast Guard.

He was assigned as the ship's doctor on the icebreaker Glacier. They were set to make a six-month cruise/patrol to the Antarctic. He always wanted to travel and heard that there were many exotic ports-of-call that they would sail into.

It didn't turn out that way.

This book is the story of his adventure. The stormy seas, the fire aboard, the accidents the men suffered, the ships they rescued, and perhaps worst of all, getting trapped in the ice in the Weddel sea.

This book is very well written in a conversational style. It is easy to read and understand. I like the way Dr. Bunes admits his naivete. As he grew older and began to research the topic, he understood more. He wrote with a humble tone and was very reflective. I appreciated that.

My first husband was in the Coast Guard stationed aboard the icebreaker Polar Star, so this book was of particular interest to me. He used to tell stories of his adventures.

I want to thank NetGalley and Rowman and Littlefield/Lyons Press for forwarding to me a copy of this great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are my own.