Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy, and History's Greatest Arctic Rescue was quite different from what I was expecting. I thought I was going to be reading about the crash of the airship Italia and the subsequent rescue of the survivors. The last 40% of the book delivered on that, and I found it to be fascinating. However, I found the first 60% to be akin to reading a textbook. It was all about the invention and first flights of dirigibles.

That said, there may be readers who find that first part to be exactly what they're looking for. I completely get that. It just wasn't what I was expecting.

Thank you #StMartinsPress for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.


#Dirigibles #History

This was an absolutely thrilling, fast-paced adventure!! Highly, highly recommended for both non-fiction and fiction readers.

This book introduced me to a whole new realm of polar exploration. I'd been taught in school about Peary reaching the North Pole and Byrd flying to it. I never even knew there were others who flew airships in polar exploration. Levy's writing style is like being taken to the very scenes of the adventures. He explains how Wellman wanted to use the latest flying technology. At the time he felt it was the airship rather than the emerging but untried airplane. I was amazed as Levy explained the preparations, the tons of food and supplies, and the logistics of getting the airship ready. Continuing on with Amundsen and finally Nobile, I felt like I was right along on their journey's. The latter part of the book detailed the dramatic survival and rescue efforts after disaster struck Nobile's airship.

I was amazed at these men committed to this form of adventure. The airship was at the mercy of the weather and Levy makes us feel like we are right there with the crew, fighting the elements and experiencing the mechanical problems. He is great at recreating the events, including the words and actions of the people involved.

This is a good book to be introduced to an era and style of exploration not widely known. Levy makes you feel like you are a part of the adventure. I recommend it to all who love reading about dangerous adventures.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Realm of Ice and Sky
By Buddy Levy

This is a non-fiction work about the race to reach the North Pole in the early 1900s. This was a time of great technological advances and the men who were willing to risk their very lives to be first, to earn fame and glory in the quest.

Many expeditions had previously foundered and many lives had been lost in the horrific conditions in the arctic. Men had tried ships and overland dog sledges with no success. Now they would try an alternative – airships, motor driven dirigibles. Mr. Levy describes the failures and successes of Wellman, Amundsen, Cook and Nobile – all driven by nationalism and the thirst for fame.

This is a compelling story told by a master of the genre. While only a history buff enthralled with arctic exploration may appreciate the level of detail provided, the author has produced a compelling read for any reader.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

There are certain adventures that spark the imagination, and few have been more enduring than the race to the North Pole. The trek across hundreds of miles of the most forbidding, remote, and hostile terrain has cost many explorers their lives, starting with expeditions in the 1800s. By the beginning of the 20th Century, adventurers were contemplating whether airships could help attain the goal, either airships or airplanes. But who would be bold and courageous enough to try??

Popular outdoor writer Buddy Levy answers that question in this fascinating and remarkable tale of a number of Scandinavian, American, and Italian explorers who tried and tried again to reach the North Pole first. American Walter Wellman was the best at self-promotion and his airship attempts are the stuff of legend, but did he reach the Pole? Then Dr. Frederick Cook claimed he had made it, even before Robert Peary, but did either of them really make it to the North Pole?

Levy claims that it was Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen who was the first to be able to prove he'd reached the North Pole, only a few years after being one of the first to reach the South Pole. Italian explorer Umberto Nobile, backed by Italian dictator Mussolini, flew his own Italian-made airship to the North Pole, but that journey ended in death, disaster, and one of the great rescue operations of the century.

All of this is captured and considered in Realm of Ice and Sky. It's an extraordinary read. Have some hot tea ready too, you'll need it. Highly recommended.

So many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this new work.

I am such a fan of exploration/adventure non-fiction. So, I went into new book this very excited. And this did not disappoint. I was on a long trip when I started this and it make the travel disappear. Buddy Levy can tell a story. The research made this story come alive. I knew of these men but the way the stories were woven together was just fantastic.

I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in the polar expedition genre. Highly. This was extremely well done, and I really hope the book is a huge success.

I was stunned to learn of an Arctic expedition blessed by the Pope and funded by Mussolini. Italy’s cutting-edge airship drew explorers seeking fame and discovery. Umberto Nobile’s ill-fated mission ended in disaster, with men lost and Amundsen vanishing while searching for survivors. Levy crafts a gripping, page-turning tale of human ambition and nature’s power. I was overall shocked at what I l earned, but really enjoyed it!

Buddy levy does such a great job of telling historical events like the epic stories that they are. This is the 4th book ive read by him and his prose never gets old. I thought this book was going to cover just one the north pole expeditions, but instead got the intertwining tales of 3 different expeditions. I can't wait for his next one!

This is a very interestin Book about airships going up to the north pole call. This is pretty revolutionary in the twenties to go up there in a airship. The first person to do it was W. A LTE RW EIN A. RI You had an airship designed by I Mo BI LE and the airship.This is called because he designed it. This is really interesting how they talked about their lives.And how do you work on these airships?But a lot of times things Did not work out very well. This is a very interesting part of history because plans at this point as well. But these people want to explore more.. The W a l t e r did a lot of different And was a self educated man. Mausolani gave me to power.He decided he was built Airship name named LTA LLC. This was also designed by Noble He also piled the airship as well. Things do not go well and it crashed.And this was a very interesting how they had to survive on ice floats. The ending is very good as well.

Another fantastic heart racing page turner by Buddy Levy..I was drawn into this story of exploring the arctic by air ship so exciting so eye opening highly recommend.#netgalley #st.martins

This is another captivating nonfiction account of exploration and the pursuit of uncharted territories in the early 20th century. The author masterfully recounts three distinct expeditions, showcasing the extraordinary lengths humans will go to in order to reach the unknown.

The author, known for works such as Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the Karluk and Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition, continues to delve into humanity’s push into new frontiers over the past 200 years.

Buddy Levy offers readers a vivid "you are there" narrative style that incorporates vivid descriptions and sensory details. He immerses us in the trials and tribulations of the daring individuals who first flew over the North Pole, a time when dirigibles were a viable means of transporting both people and equipment. It’s fascinating to reflect on the growing value and complexity of the manifest associated with each successive attempt.

Each chapter brims with suspense and intrigue, resembling the tension of a traditional fiction story. As the venerable explorer Ernest Shackleton once said, "Difficulties are just things to overcome after all." The rich history and heroic efforts associated with polar exploration provide fertile ground for storytelling, and several authors are tapping into this compelling subject matter in recent accounts.

This book is a testament to human ambition, innovation, and the desire to conquer the unknown. I extend my gratitude to Buddy Levy and St. Martin's Press for offering the opportunity to learn so much from this valuable contribution to the history of the North Pole. This review reflects my honest impressions.

I've been drawn to books about exploration lately, especially Arctic exploration and have read and enjoyed Buddy Levy's previous book. This story of the first airship explorations of the North Pole is gripping. With all of today's technology it's hard to imagine how difficult and perilous early air navigation was, yet Levy brings to life the dangers faced by adventurers who dared to attempt what many thought was impossible. This book would be great for anyone who enjoys history, exploration, or adventure.

Thanks to Netgalley, Buddy Levy, and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reading copy of this excellent book.

I was feeling quite fortunate to be reading these dramatic stories of arctic exploration from my cozy chair by the fire! Mr. Levy is such a wonderful storyteller, making century-old heroic adventures come vividly to life. This book sent me down so many research rabbit holes and of course I looked up the photos of all the characters. If you read this book, look up the picture of Umberto Nobile and his little dog Titina who went exploring with him; it will not disappoint!

This book tells the story of early 1900s explorers who were trying to reach the North Pole and explore the Arctic via airship. There is so much drama, rivalry, disaster, rumors of cannibalism, heroic rescues and people who died trying to save the lives of others. The details make it feel like you are right there watching each ship disappear into the Arctic sky!

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy and History’s Greatest Arctic Rescue by Buddy Levy is an in depth recounting of the untold stories of the Arctic exploration. Walter Wellman was an Arctic explorer and visionary whose public image has been one of a self-promoting egomaniac known for catastrophic rather than his successes. In truth, he was a courageous innovator who was willing to push boundaries and was one of the many on the road to the ultimate conquest of the North Pole. Author Buddy Levy sets out to show that Wellman wanted to get to the North Pole by airship. Along with Wellman’s innovative plans, there were many men who claimed to be the first to the North Pole, leading to successes and tragic failures. One of those men was Italian explorer Umberto Nobile. Backed by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, a journey would end in disaster, death that launched one of the greatest rescues and horrifying accusations.
In an age of exploration and travel innovation, brave and curious men thought of different ways to explore the unknown. In a thrilling narrative of polar exploration, Buddy Levy brings light to the use of the airship in the exploration and the men who blazed the trail and sacrificed everything in order to make history. Most know the famous Sir Edmund Hillary and Robert Peary as they explored a path to the poles. However, Realm of Ice and Sky opened the history book to bring to light to the other men who also strived to make it to the arctic. I had never heard of Walter Wellman and his airship or the tragedy and aftermath involving Umberto Nobile. I thoroughly enjoyed reading more about the men who risked it all. Author Buddy Levy takes history and makes it an interesting and thrilling read. If you enjoy history, innovation and those who braved to explore the unknown, I highly recommend Realm of Ice and Sky.

Realm of Ice and Sky will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on January 28, 2025

I've become fascinated in a trainwreck kind of way with Arctic exploration and really enjoyed Levy's last book, so I was eager to give this one a try. I had no idea people were trying to exlore the Arctic by dirigible in the early 20th century so this was all new for me. The idea sounded crazy and dangerous, but then, so did going to the Arctic in the first place!

ICE AND SKY is three different stories in one book, covering the highlights (and lowlights) of aerial Arctic exploration. There was a lot of science on what the dirigibles needed, most of which went over my head, but I found the human stories of how difficult it was to put the missions together and estimate when the weather would be best for flying to be insteresting. The crews faced surprising levels of danger in the air beyond wind currents buffeting the ships.

The third trip, the Italia, is the longest story and the biggest tragedy- so probably the one I found most interesting. With it you get familiar Arctic exploration land dangers as well as the new aerial dangers. You get people of different nations banding together to try and help find the explorers but a surprising lack of coordination among the searchers. I would have been interested to hear if this was common in past searches or more unique to the Italia, but Levy doesn't go into that aspect.

Overall an interesting chapter of Arctic exploration I had never heard of before. Readers interested in adding to their knowledge of Arctic exploration will definitely enjoy this book.

I received a DRC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

A little over two years ago I reviewed Buddy Levy’s book Empire of Ice and Stone, his fascinating account of the wreck of the ship the Karluk, part of the Canadian Arctic Expedition of 1913. I called that book “a well-crafted true story that reads like an action-adventure novel” and gave it five stars.

Levy is back again with a new nonfiction book that tells the story of a forgotten chapter of Arctic exploring, when the Age of the Airships took polar adventurers out of their dog sleds and to the North Pole.

In particular Levy tells the stories of three men - American Walter Wellman, Norwegian Roald Amundsen and Italian Umberto Nobile, the pioneers of Arctic aviation. These men all led expeditions in experimental lighter-than-air craft in attempts to reach the Pole. Together these stories form the “serial history” (the author’s words) that Levy once again turns into a well-crafted book that reads like an action-adventure novel.

Walter Wellman was an American journalist, explorer and innovator who took the first airship into the polar regions in an attempt to reach the North Pole. His story starts this book, and I found myself rooting for Wellman as he overcame obstacles and almost succeeded in his self-appointed task.

While his final voyage set numerous records, he did not make it to the North Pole. Nevertheless, the public reception when Wellman returned to America was triumphant. Contemporary adventurers and explorers however, looked down on Wellman as a failure and a showman. They felt his self-promotion through newspaper deals was a stunt and made a mockery of the “serious business” of exploring.

He remained a respected journalist throughout his life though, and Levy makes a solid case that Wellman should also be viewed as a pioneer both of polar exploration and of aviation. He set a record for longest dirigible flight up to that time, over any terrain, let alone the frozen north. He went further north by airship than anyone had before him. And he was the first Arctic explorer to report his progress to the world in real-time, using telegraphic messages sent by radio from his airship.

The stories of Roald Amundsen and Umberto Nobile are intertwined. Their partnership brought success, but their personalities could not have been more different. Amundsen, the “last Viking” was a seasoned polar explorer motivated by going where others had not been. Nobile was an airship designer and pawn of Benito Mussolini, who seemed mostly driven by career considerations within the Italian armed forces. Theirs was a marriage of convenience, and while they were successful together, they were often at odds and drew their nations into contentious rivalry. Nobile’s second attempt, without Amundson, proved a disaster to both men.

All three of these stories are compelling — just as fascinating for the courage and daring of the men involved as for the history they tell. I have to admit that I’ve read several polar exploration books over the last few years, so that when I saw yet another one was coming out I didn’t really have high expectations. But Buddy Levy has hit this one out of the park.

I had the opportunity to read Levy's previous book "Empire of Ice & Stone" and I enjoyed it so much that I eagerly requested an ARC of his newest work. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for granting my wish!
In his latest outing, Levy chronicles the story of three arctic explorers who hoped to be the first to reach the north pole by airship. Yes, I said airship, as in blimp! Walter Wellman, Roald Amundsen, and Italian General Umberto Nobile were ambitious and selfless in their efforts to transform the world. The majority of these stories were new to me, and I found them very fascinating.
I thoroughly enjoyed this narrative history since Levy has a way of educating the reader without overwhelming them with information. I felt like I was right there with the explorers, feeling their feelings, whether they were excited or scared, as they faced the harsh and cruel arctic landscape.

A gripping look at three intrepid explorers who set out for arctic reaches during the brief but impressive era of dirigible flight. When reaching the North Pole was to the world what flight the moon became in the middle of the 21st century, it was eventually clear that attempting to make the attempt on the ice was not possible. Flight was the only answer, and before airplanes had been proven, the airship was a barely workable option. And barely workable was enough for men like these to bet it all.

Time and again, on a wing and a prayer, these voyages were begun, and often ended prematurely or in disaster. But Levy uses primary sources, excellent pacing, and a great feel for the human side of these heroics to keep us grounded and connected to the people on the ice. I really enjoyed these treks through stark times, political machinations, and miracle moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for my copy. These opinions are my own.

Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy, and History’s Greatest Arctic Rescue by Buddy Levy is a captivating exploration of one of the most daring and dangerous periods in Arctic exploration. Focusing on the incredible journeys of Walter Wellman, Roald Amundsen, and Umberto Nobile, Levy sheds light on the risks and sacrifices made in the name of polar exploration and technological innovation.

Walter Wellman, often dismissed as a failure, is reexamined here as a visionary pioneer. His efforts in both polar and trans-Atlantic airship aviation set the stage for later, more successful expeditions. Amundsen’s groundbreaking success in flying to the North Pole and Nobile’s tragic return to the Arctic with the Italia airship offer gripping accounts of triumph and devastation.

Levy excels in his ability to weave history, personal struggles, and technological innovation into a compelling narrative. The tension between Amundsen and Nobile, culminating in the disastrous Italia expedition, is particularly gripping. The exploration of human endurance, the unforgiving environment, and the egos at play makes for a riveting read.

However, the pacing can be a bit uneven at times, especially in the latter parts of the book where the focus shifts to the rescue operation. While the rescue itself is fascinating, the extended details on the aftermath feel slightly drawn out compared to the earlier, more intense chapters.

Overall, Realm of Ice and Sky is a well-researched and engaging chronicle of polar exploration’s darkest and most dramatic moments, offering readers a nuanced view of these historic figures and their contributions to aviation and exploration.

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Levy's previous book, Empire of Ice and Stone, I probably had very high expectations for his latest work.

Although interesting, Realm of Ice and Sky didn't have enough tragedy, exploration, and rescue ops for me. The book primarily focused on the engineering, mechanics, and construction of dirigibles as well as the people behind them. It was, in my opinion, a little boring.

As another reviewer mentioned, the excitement doesn't start until at least the 60% point. But even then, it still wasn't nail biting or memorable to me.

Realm of Ice and Sky is still a decent read. And I'll still look forward to other works by this author. Two okay stars.

I was invited to read the DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest opinions.