5 Polar Books for the Shortest Month

There’s something about polar exploration stories that I just can’t resist. Call it a genre kryptonite — if a book involves ice-locked ships, desperate survival treks, or the psychological toll of endless darkness, I’m in. The extremes of the Arctic and Antarctic make for some of the most incredible adventure narratives in history, filled with human resilience, brutal conditions, and the occasional bit of madness. Whether it's the harrowing solo journey of Douglas Mawson, the endurance of the Belgica crew, or the doomed yet fascinating quest of the USS Jeannette, these books capture the raw, unforgiving nature of exploration at the edges of the world. If you're looking for stories that will leave you cold in the best possible way, these are the ones to read.

P.S. Alfred Lansing’s famed Endurance isn’t on this particular list, but it’s far and away the best polar story. If you haven’t read it, do so now!

In the Kingdom of Ice by Hampton Sides

In the Kingdom of Ice is exactly what I want from a historical adventure narrative—thoroughly researched, vividly written, and utterly engrossing. Hampton Sides tells the story of the USS Jeannette expedition, an ill-fated 1879 attempt to reach the North Pole led by George Washington De Long. At the time, the Arctic was still a great mystery, and the prevailing (and wildly incorrect) theory suggested that a warm, open sea might exist beyond the ice. Instead, De Long and his crew found themselves trapped in the ice for nearly two years before their ship was finally crushed, forcing them into a desperate, thousand-mile trek across the frozen wasteland. What follows is a tale of unimaginable suffering, endurance, and survival against the odds—though not for all.

Sides’ ability to bring historical figures to life is remarkable. He captures not just De Long’s unwavering determination but also the personalities and struggles of his crew, the scientific misunderstandings that doomed the expedition, and even the home-front drama involving De Long’s wife, Emma. The writing is cinematic yet deeply grounded in historical detail, making the Arctic feel both beautiful and terrifying. If you love adventure, survival stories, or just history told well, In the Kingdom of Ice is an absolute must-read. Just be sure to bundle up.

Icebound by Andrea Pitzer

Though William Barents isn’t a well-known polar explorer like Robert Falcon Scott or Roald Amundsen or Ernest Shackleton, he set the stage for all that came after him:

“every famous Arctic explorer who endured horrifying ordeals, every adventurer to the North whose story became a bestselling book, every voyager vowing to fill in the map for national glory, every polar adventurer whose exploits were recorded with the newest technologies—from books to telegrams to photos to radio broadcasts to phones to satellite links—has walked in the path first blazed by William Barents.”

In Icebound, Andrea Pitzer details Barents’ efforts to find the top of the world in the 16th century.

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Madhouse at the End of the Earth by Julian Sancton

This fantastic book recounts the harrowing 1897 Belgica expedition, which was the first to overwinter in Antarctica, forcing the crew to endure months of total darkness and brutal conditions. That crew included a young Roald Amundsen, who would go on to become the greatest polar explorer of all time, as well as the controversial Frederick Cook.

As the ship remained trapped in ice, the men suffered extreme psychological and physical deterioration, hence the “madhouse” moniker. Survival depended on Amundsen and Cook, who pushed their crewmates to near-impossible feats to escape the ice, while their weak-willed commander, Adrien de Gerlache, obsessed over his reputation rather than leading the men through their ordeal. Both a jaw-dropping survival tale and a sobering study of leadership under duress, it’s an excellent read for fans of adventure narratives.

To the Edges of the Earth by Edward Larson

To the Edges of the Earth explores the golden age of exploration in 1909, when Robert Peary, Ernest Shackleton, and the Duke of Abruzzi each attempted daring “firsts” —reaching the North Pole, the South Pole, and summiting K2. While none of these men fully succeeded, their journeys were legendary, shaped by vastly different backgrounds and approaches. Larson vividly conveys the brutal cold and extreme conditions these men endured, though the book serves more as an engaging overview than an in-depth account. Perfect for general history fans or as a gateway into deeper reading on polar exploration.

Alone on the Ice by David Roberts

Alone on the Ice is a gripping account of Douglas Mawson’s 1911–1913 Antarctic expedition, one of the most ambitious scientific and exploratory missions of its time. Mawson and his team mapped vast, uncharted sections of Antarctica, enduring some of the harshest conditions on Earth, including relentless winds and extreme isolation. The book culminates in Mawson’s nearly unbelievable solo survival story after a tragic sledging journey where one crewmate fell to his death with most of their supplies and another succumbed to madness. Against impossible odds, Mawson pressed on, his body deteriorating — his feet literally falling apart — and even saving himself after falling into a crevasse. His eventual return to basecamp should have been triumphant, but he arrived just hours after the rescue ship had left, forcing him to endure another brutal Antarctic winter. Mawson’s resilience, the sheer intensity of the journey, and the underappreciated significance of his expedition make this an unforgettable read. A must for fans of survival stories, best enjoyed in winter for full effect.

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What would you add to this list? Let me know!