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Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole Paperback – September 16, 2002

by Helen Thayer (Author), Sir Edmund Hillary (Foreword)

73 customer reviews

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In 1988, at the age of 50, Helen Thayer became the first woman in the world to travel on foot to the magnetic North Pole, one of the world's most remote and dangerous regions. Her only companion was Charlie, her loyal husky, who was integral to her survival. Polar Dream is the story of their heroic trek and extraordinary relationship as they faced polar bears, unimaginable cold, and a storm that destroyed most of their supplies and food. A new epilogue, maps, and many previously unpublished expedition photographs are new to this second edition. "A page-turner.... Fully captures the drama of what was a remarkable achievement." — The Washington Times

Polar Dream: The First Solo Expedition by a Woman and Her Dog to the Magnetic North Pole

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In March 1988, Thayer, a 50-year-old New Zealander, set out from Resolute, NW Territories, to ski to the North Magnetic Pole, located just south of King Christian Island; she pulled her supplies (160 lbs.) on a sled. Three days before departure, a hunter gave her a black husky, Charlie, as protection against polar bears. The animal proved to be an ideal companion, saving her life and her sanity. It was a grueling journey: woman and dog fought off polar bears, barely escaped drowning, survived storms. Near the end, a gale blew away most of Thayer's food supplies; her daily ration during the final week was a handful of walnuts and a pint of water. After 364 miles, 27 days, Thayer and Charlie were picked up by plane on Melena Island--mission accomplished. This is an exciting story of human endurance and of a remarkable animal. Photos. First serial to Cosmopolitan; author tour (with dog).
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In 1988, 50-year-old Thayer became the first woman to ski alone to the North Pole. In this account, she tells of pulling all her food and gear on a sled, without the use food drops. She is accompanied only by her dog, Charlie, who provides protection against polar bears. Charlie not only saves her life but shows trusting companionship and heartwarming love. Thayer describes lyrically yet unromantically the dreamlike quality of the Arctic landscape, with its fluctuating ice conditions and eerie, depth perception-skewing atmosphere. Recounting terrifying encounters with polar bears and ferocious icy storms, she tells a gripping tale of courage and determination. She faces severe frostbite, winds, dehydration, frozen clothing, loneliness, and shifting ice with gentle humor, remarkable patience, and welcome modesty. Readers will be enthralled and inspired. Recommended for public libraries.
- Kathy Ruffle, Coll. of New Caledonia Lib., Prince George, B.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Paperback: 254 pages
Publisher: NewSage Press; 2nd edition (September 16, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0939165457
ISBN-13: 978-0939165452
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #742,614 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Books > Travel > United States > Washington > Mount St. Helens
- #105 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Solo Travel
- #122 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Arctic

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

5 star		82%
4 star		14%
3 star		3%
2 star		1%
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Top customer reviews

Uncommon adventure. Told uncommonly well.

ByTerrence WalshTOP 500 REVIEWERon September 30, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I'm a lifelong fan of adventurers and their true tales. Also, a fan of dogs. Here we have the best of both worlds.

Then there is the immediate fact that this is a most rare tale of a woman adventurer. That makes Helen Thayer a special pioneer for half the planet's population. If you are looking for a female role model, here is a great one. That said, Polar Dream adds to the polar exploration canon. Not many ever attempt a polar expedition. Of that tiny group, how many go solo? One, for sure.

Polar Dream was just the first of her three published books. After being the first woman to reach any of the world's poles solo, Helen Thayer then trekked across both the Sahara and Gobi deserts, and kayaked 2,200 miles of Amazon River. These and other exploits led to Helen Thayer being named "One of the Great Explorers of the 20th Century" by National Geographic in 2002. Her web site gives some hightlights. Historylink.org tells more. You may find her on YouTube, too.

The writing is full-immersion. From crazy concept to final days, right through the darkest hours (even while the midnight sun shines), you get the whole story. You are there. Except, perhaps, with no threat of frostbite or polar bears.

In addition, it's on my list of best dog stories. Trust and loyalty are precious. They are rare. They are here.

Let's also note some of the global elements in Polar Dream--a New Zealander heads north from Resolute, NW Territories, Canada in 1988. The book was published in 1992. Global warming was still mostly unknown. The landscape for the same adventure today would be dramatically different.

I first read this book thirteen years ago. I have recommended it repeatedly since then. At the very least it should be on the shelf in every high school, public or private. Middle schools, too. Once it hits the shelves it will be checked out often.

Having been vocal about Polar Dream for so long, I'm happy to post this 5-star review. I hope you find it helpful.

Helen Thayer's other books:
Three Among the Wolves: A Couple and their Dog Live a Year with Wolves in the Wild (2004)
Walking the Gobi: A 1600 Mile Trek Across a Desert of Hope and Despair (2007)

Books about Helen Thayer:
Helen Thayer's Arctic Adventure: A Woman and a Dog Walk to the North Pole (Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books)
Women Explorers in Polar Regions: Louise Arner Boyd, Agnes Deans Cameron, Kate Marsden, Ida Pfeiffer, Helen Thayer (Short Biographies)

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An Adventure from a Frozen Place which Warms your Heart.

ByPat Hunteron June 26, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I always love reading Helen Thayer's books; reading of the adventures and challenges she takes on and the way she views the animals and her great respect for the places she travels in. I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as "Three Among Te Wolves", only because for obvious reasons she couldn't get so close to the polar bears as she did to the wolves, so we missed out on her close up observations of the wild animals she met on her journey.

However this book did give the reader a wonderful insight into how she managed her emotions such as the fear experienced walking through polar bear country. It was inspirational to read about her way of accepting the conditions she couldn't change and changing her mindset in order to become positively motivated and therefore ensure her survival. One could certainly remember this when struggling with any sort of hardship in life.

Charlie, her dog, was a star, of course. Helen has a great knack of placing the ones she travels with ahead of herself in her tales.

If you are an animal lover and love reading about true adventures and grueling challenges of the body and spirit this is the book for you.

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Great, riveting book!

ByKindle Customeron February 1, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Helen Thayer had the guts and stamina to achieve an amazing undertaking, all the while writing in flowing prose which had me laughing at times, as well as cringing at times. I would have given it five stars except for the editing which definitely could have been better. Still I'd recommend it anyone who loves true-life adventure books.

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Motivated

ByKindle Customeron April 18, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This book was recommended to me by another reader. What a great book! It was read with only a short break as it was so engaging. A continuous page turner. I have the ultimate respect for this woman and dog, and writer.

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Great adventure story

ByBunnyon April 23, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

great tale of adventure and perseverence as well as an interesting look at the great white north

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Courage on ice

Bytobiason June 1, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a remarkable account of a woman's solo journey on foot (skis) across the arctic wastes, constantly menaced by polar bears, extreme cold and dangerous ice underfoot. A great adventure. I was even more amazed by the epilogue, in which she mentions going back over the same terrain years later with her husband, as well as other crazy adventures, of which I would have liked to have read about those as well.

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My friend was at a talk by this author and then bought her book.She then recommended it.

Bymcron June 18, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Many thoughts about how you your self would react in these different scenarios makes this book become very personal
I too would like to meet this author and try to grasp her inner strength.

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Helen Thayer is my hero!

ByMichiele Shawon June 8, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

What a gal. I honestly didn't think I'd enjoy this book nearly as much as her book on walking across the Gobi, but it was really compelling reading. She has the heart and soul of an adventurer and is a ripping good story teller to boot. I find her inspirational.

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Most recent customer reviews

fine.

5 star. send to my son, great! perfect weight , perfect size ! cuts everything so neat ! I really recommend it ! great,

Published 1 month ago by Peter

Five Stars

Fabulous Read! So much adventure and excitement

Published 2 months ago by Tiffany Thayer

Excellent!

This is exactly the type of book that I enjoy reading...a great solo adventure written in a memoir style. Highly recommended!

Published 4 months ago by goodgollyjosh

GREAT READ FOR DOG LOVERS - CHARLIE (THE DOG ) ...

GREAT READ FOR DOG LOVERS - CHARLIE (THE DOG ) RISKED HIS LIFE MANY TIMES TO PROTECT HELEN - HE ALSO HELPED HELEN TO COMPLETE ONE OF HER DREAMS.Read more

Published 4 months ago by Amazon Customer

The real deal, and she is still alive, ...

The real deal, and she is still alive, living only 40 miles from my brother who is a whimp and will not see about meeting her!Read more

Published 5 months ago by Lord Jim

so recently I just decided to purchase another copy simply because I enjoyed it so much and wanted it in my library ...

I first read it years ago and then gave it to a friend to read and she never gave it back, so recently I just decided to purchase another copy simply because I enjoyed it so much...Read more

Published 1 year ago by lucy

Five Stars

This is the kind of book adventure that stays with you long after you finished reading.

Published 1 year ago by Shirley

We need more women today like her.

A very brave woman. We need more women today like her.

Published 1 year ago by L. Atkins

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