A new book by Mitchell Zuckoff called "Frozen In Time: An Epic Story Of Survival And A Modern Quest For Lost Heroes Of World War II" will be released on April 23rd. I was able to get an advanced reader's copy of this book and I was very pleased to do so. It is a riveting read. The author is a professor of journalism at Boston University and is the winner of the Winship/PEN New England Award. A very prestigious award, I am sure but I can only tell you that this is a very well written book and one that I can certainly recommend to you.
The book alternately tells the story of three planes that crashed in Greenland during World War II and the quite complicated and difficult task to rescue the survivors and then, a more present day tale of those determined to find one of those planes encased in ice, "Frozen In Time", if you will. For nearly FIVE MONTHS during the brutal Arctic winter of 1942-1943, the survivors fought to stay alive and to keep their sanity. The bravery and courage by these men surviving in the extreme cold (and not all of them survived) is something to know and to honor. As I read the book, I had no idea of who would make it and who would not...I think it is possible that I read a good bit of this book without breathing, it is just that kind of book. Chapter 7, A Light In The Darkness, was so good I read this whole chapter ALOUD to my husband. I have NEVER done that in my entire life! This particular chapter tells the amazing story of three men from The Royal Canadian Air Force and they were able to...sorry, you just have to read it! There are maps of Greenland and photos of the survivors and also all the people (including the author, Mitchell Zuckoff) who located the plane that had been frozen in time. I don't want to give you too much information about this book. I want you to find out for yourself what happens.
"Other military branches were America's swords and spears; the Coast Guard was its shield". That is one of the sentences that I jotted down while I was reading this book. You will have such a respect for those who serve in The United States Coast Guard. I know that I do.
NOTE: I had most of this post written as a rough draft. Tonight, the evening of April 15th, I thought that I would add more detail to it and let you know more about the book. However, all I can think of is the fact that the author lives just outside Boston and about the bombings that occurred today at the Boston Marathon. Please, say a prayer.
Bombings at the Boston Marathon? When did that happen? There was no mention of it when I was watching the news on telly last night. I must go and find a news site to know more. The book sounds fascinating! If it is available for kindle, I am certainly going to get it.
The book has not been released just yet, so it might be a while yet on Kindle, but still, make a note of it and perhaps soon you can let me know if you like it as much as I do.
Well it certainly sounds like a book for the reading list Kay. I happened to be watching our breakfast news just as the Boston news broke and our evening news had all the updates. My thoughts are with those living through this terrible atrocity. I just hope that no one jumps to conclusions as to the cause and exacts retribution until the true facts are known.
Me and you both, GB. If you remember my post about Richard Jewell, you know how I would feel about anyone jumping to conclusions. If you happen to read this book, I would be grateful if you let me know. Thanks for your comment and hope you are doing well in your part of the world.
I remembered your recent post but hadn't followed the link at the time (I've now read it). I would have known how you would have felt about any form of unfairness anyway. I've put the book on my list but it's a long list and I'm a slow reader.
Does look to be a good book! Followed the bombing coverage this morning. Unbelievable and so sad for all those poor people caught up in it and those who never got to finish their race!
I did think of you when I heard this news. I hope you are healing and taking care of yourself. This would be a good book for you to read while you are recuperating!
Martha, That chapter I told you about, the one about the Royal Canadian Air Force? That will make you so proud!!! I promise, you will never forget those men!! I am dying to tell you, but you MUST read it!!
Wow, Kay! This sounds like a must read for me! Both of my parents served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and I spent several years in the north. A survival tale in a cold wilderness will surely fascinate me! Have a good day! And yes, I am grieving over the the Boston tragedy. Horrific!
I am a terrible book reviewer but if you click on the author's name, you can see that the book has been selected as the book of the month by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and IndieList (independent book sellers). So, they like it too! You will be so PROUD when you read that Chapter 7!!!
Thanks so much! I don't want to tell you anything about a great book other than, this is a good book, READ IT!! I fear that I am over the top sometimes in my enthusiasm but I am sincere!
Having read all of Zukoff's earlier books (except The Oral Biography of Robert Altman) I am anxious to get my hands on this new one. Thanks for posting. Have you read "Lost in Shangri-La?
Hey Anne Cruz! Thanks so much for your comment!! Isn't he just a terrific writer? I love books written by journalists. I just got the book "Lost in Shangri-La"! I haven't started reading it just yet because unfortunately, I have a full time job and must clean my house and cook meals too! Doggone it, doesn't life know I have a great book waiting to be read?
And on top of all that, I worry about the whole world too! The secret? That would be Richard! (Shhh...don't tell anyone this, I call him Saint Richard. Besides doing so much in the house, he also encourages me in my blogging and enjoys all the folks we have met, like YOU!) :-D
Kay - This book sounds like a great read, and one I think my husband would really enjoy. I must recommend it to him. Like you, Kay I have been thinking of Boston today, and everyone who has suffered because of the tragic, senseless act there yesterday. It is hard to find words to express our condolences for the families who have lost a loved one. My heart is broken for the family of the little eight year old boy who died. Their loss is unimaginable. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Boston. Mairead
I love stories of WWII..the greatest generation certainly gave us examples of how to live through life's worst events..and now we are living through events in our own time that leave us shaking our heads, shedding tears, and wondering why. Sometimes prayer is the only answer. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll check it out!
Hi Kay! To get your address for the "Pay It Forward" goodies, I've sent you an email at the address listed in your blogger profile. I hope it's an address you still use!
Praying for all. So sad that what should have been a happy event turned out so badly.
ReplyDeleteI know, I think we should all pray very hard.
DeleteSounds like this book had you totally enthralled Kay! I will look out for it. Awful scenes in Boston - just tragic.
ReplyDeleteThis book is amazing, I think you would really like it.
DeleteBombings at the Boston Marathon? When did that happen? There was no mention of it when I was watching the news on telly last night. I must go and find a news site to know more.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds fascinating! If it is available for kindle, I am certainly going to get it.
I am sure you have seen this on the news by now.
DeleteThe book has not been released just yet, so it might be a while yet on Kindle, but still, make a note of it and perhaps soon you can let me know if you like it as much as I do.
Well it certainly sounds like a book for the reading list Kay. I happened to be watching our breakfast news just as the Boston news broke and our evening news had all the updates. My thoughts are with those living through this terrible atrocity. I just hope that no one jumps to conclusions as to the cause and exacts retribution until the true facts are known.
ReplyDeleteMe and you both, GB. If you remember my post about Richard Jewell, you know how I would feel about anyone jumping to conclusions.
DeleteIf you happen to read this book, I would be grateful if you let me know. Thanks for your comment and hope you are doing well in your part of the world.
I remembered your recent post but hadn't followed the link at the time (I've now read it). I would have known how you would have felt about any form of unfairness anyway. I've put the book on my list but it's a long list and I'm a slow reader.
DeleteDoes look to be a good book! Followed the bombing coverage this morning. Unbelievable and so sad for all those poor people caught up in it and those who never got to finish their race!
ReplyDeleteI did think of you when I heard this news.
DeleteI hope you are healing and taking care of yourself.
This would be a good book for you to read while you are recuperating!
This sounds like a really good book, Kay. I'll have to check it out. When you're a bookaholic, you can never have too many books to read, right?!
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad about Boston. What should have been a wonderful time turned out to be so tragic.
Martha,
DeleteThat chapter I told you about, the one about the Royal Canadian Air Force? That will make you so proud!!! I promise, you will never forget those men!! I am dying to tell you, but you MUST read it!!
Yes, i'm praying for all effected by this. However tentative our physical connections to it may be, we are all with Boston.
ReplyDeleteWe are all with Boston indeed!
DeleteWow, Kay! This sounds like a must read for me! Both of my parents served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and I spent several years in the north. A survival tale in a cold wilderness will surely fascinate me! Have a good day! And yes, I am grieving over the the Boston tragedy. Horrific!
ReplyDeleteI am a terrible book reviewer but if you click on the author's name, you can see that the book has been selected as the book of the month by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and IndieList (independent book sellers). So, they like it too!
DeleteYou will be so PROUD when you read that Chapter 7!!!
I love your book reviews, Kay. They are always so genuine and heart-felt. I hope you get more advance copies to entice us with.
DeleteThanks so much! I don't want to tell you anything about a great book other than, this is a good book, READ IT!!
DeleteI fear that I am over the top sometimes in my enthusiasm but I am sincere!
Having read all of Zukoff's earlier books (except The Oral Biography of Robert Altman) I am anxious to get my hands on this new one. Thanks for posting. Have you read "Lost in Shangri-La?
ReplyDeleteHey Anne Cruz!
DeleteThanks so much for your comment!! Isn't he just a terrific writer? I love books written by journalists.
I just got the book "Lost in Shangri-La"! I haven't started reading it just yet because unfortunately, I have a full time job and must clean my house and cook meals too! Doggone it, doesn't life know I have a great book waiting to be read?
You clean the house! As well as working, cooking and blogging. That's got to be your next post, Kay. The secret of how you do it all.
DeleteAnd on top of all that, I worry about the whole world too!
DeleteThe secret? That would be Richard! (Shhh...don't tell anyone this, I call him Saint Richard. Besides doing so much in the house, he also encourages me in my blogging and enjoys all the folks we have met, like YOU!) :-D
Kay - This book sounds like a great read, and one I think my husband would really enjoy. I must recommend it to him.
ReplyDeleteLike you, Kay I have been thinking of Boston today, and everyone who has suffered because of the tragic, senseless act there yesterday. It is hard to find words to express our condolences for the families who have lost a loved one. My heart is broken for the family of the little eight year old boy who died. Their loss is unimaginable. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Boston.
Mairead
Yes, Mairead, tell your husband to read it and then YOU read it too, I PROMISE you would like it too!
DeleteBy now,you would have seen the photo of the little boy, Martin Richard with the sign that said, "No more hurting people. PEACE". Breaks your heart.
I love stories of WWII..the greatest generation certainly gave us examples of how to live through life's worst events..and now we are living through events in our own time that leave us shaking our heads, shedding tears, and wondering why. Sometimes prayer is the only answer. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, I agree with you.
DeleteIf you read this book, please let me know. xx
The book sounds absolutely riveting. Thanks for your review and recommendation, as always!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Audrey,
DeleteYou would really like this book. It's a very fast read, it's so good!
Hi Kay! To get your address for the "Pay It Forward" goodies, I've sent you an email at the address listed in your blogger profile. I hope it's an address you still use!
ReplyDeleteHey Debra!
DeleteYes, I got it and have sent you my address!
Thanks again!