Customer Reviews

Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past by James M. Deen delves into glaciers, global warming, and yes, frozen bodies! This is a very unique book in that it takes a look at something you wouldn't normally think of when it comes to global warming--how many frozen bodies have been found in the melting ice.

In 1991 a husband and wife climbing a mountain in northern Italy stumbled across what appeared to be trash left by careless hikers. On closer inspection they realized that it was a human corpse lying near the surface of a melting alpine glacier. Ultimately, scientific study revealed that the man had lived 5,300 years earlier. Now known as Ötzi, he is one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made.

As glaciers melt throughout the world, more frozen bodies are appearing, adding to our knowledge of culture and history.

What's amazing about this book are the pictures. The pictures show you everything and give you an idea what it must be like for a hiker to discover a frozen corpse. The text is very informative and highlights types of glaciers, the mystery of George Mallory, who died trying to climb Mt. Everest and some recently discovered Incan children who were sacrificed to the gods.

The topics covered are presented in an intriguing way that will capture young readers' attentions and teach them about our environment and history. This a wonderful read that will feed a young readers' hunger for glaciers and how people lived in the past.

There could be many reasons why the earth's glaciers are melting, including global warming. One unusual phenomenon we are now seeing is the "appearance" of those who died on or around them, some just decades ago and others thousands of years ago! Erika and Helmut Simon unwittingly made a discovery on the Niederjoch Glacier that would stun the archaeological world. "It's a person," she said. Yes, it was Ötzi and he had been there for more than five thousand years. He was amazingly preserved, but why?

Glaciers fascinate people. Louis Agassiz, the father of glaciology, lived on them for more than five years trying to discover their secrets. He wasn't the first to take note of glaciers, for indeed in the 1600s people were afraid of them saying, "We are terrified of the glaciers." Because of them there, was a terrible loss of life and property. Glaciers around the world hid many other secrets and people. There were the sacrificed frozen children of the Andes, "buried based on their perfect looks." George Mallory's fate remained a mystery for decades. There was even an alpine morgue with many, many unidentified corpses.

As a child I remember having an insatiable curiosity about how people lived in the past. Archeological finds and history still fascinate young people today. This is an outstanding book. The writing is entrancing and the photographs, lithographs and maps all contribute to the wonder of this work. This material can spark the imagination, not only about the past, but also our future.

The fast and timely delivery, besides the packaging was great. My son needed this book for school and I ordered it from Amazon and this seller as quickly as possible. Of course, as expected, my son looked at the cover and thanked me. Oh, yeah! Did not even read it. Thank you both -- seller and Amazon.

Bought this for my 7 year old and he loves it! I read it to him but he likes flipping through the pictures