'196 Tage auf treibender Eisscholle' Summary

In 1872, the Polaris expedition to the Arctic ended in disaster when the ship sank, leaving 19 crew members stranded on a drifting ice floe. Among them were the meteorologist Friedrich Meyer, the navigation assistant Tyson, and two Inuit families. This gripping account, written by Emil Bessels, the expedition's physician, details their 196-day struggle for survival in the unforgiving Arctic. They battled freezing temperatures, dwindling supplies, and the psychological toll of their situation, relying on their skills and ingenuity to stay alive. Through a combination of detailed observations, personal reflections, and accounts of the crew's daily routines, Bessels paints a vivid picture of their fight against the elements, their resourcefulness in utilizing the floe's natural resources, and their unwavering spirit amidst the hardship. The book offers a stark portrayal of the Arctic's harshness and the tenacity of the human spirit, ultimately culminating in their dramatic rescue and return to civilization.