Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 22
 An Explorer and Her Dog July 29, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
An extraordinary true story of courage, determination and fortitude. Every chapter not only contains the wow factor but is an illustration of what the human spirit is capable of. Thayer is an accomplished writer who keeps the reader wanting more. An incredible story of a woman and her faithful dog Charlie, as they endure the hardships of polar travel on foot together with no dog teams or snowmobiles or resupply.
Sue White
Edmonton, Canada
Described in vivid, engaging detail February 9, 2003
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Polar Dream is the personal memoir of Helen Thayer, the first woman (and the oldest person at age 50) to travel on foot, unresupplied, to the magnetic North Pole. Her harrowing trek on skis for 27 days, aided only by a dog trained to warn her of approaching bears, is described in vivid, engaging detail, as are her seven encounters with polar bears which she survived through skill, luck and quick thinking. Black-and-white photographs, including ones taken by the author during her trek, enhanced a narrative of profound insights into the beauty and wildness of the arctic. Readers who appreciate true life adventure will enjoy the excitement and wonder of Helen Thayer's Polar Dream.
Overcome,Never Quit, and Win January 9, 2003
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I first read this book in a German translation and then attended a lecture in New York by Helen Thayer, the author. Because of her amazing world wide adventures from the Polar Regions, to the deserts and the Amazon rain forest I expected someone six-feet tall. Instead I listened as this five-feet-three-inch diminutive dynamo enthralled her audience with her solo walk to the magnetic North Pole at 50 years old and her subsequent adventures including a trek of almost 1,500 miles across the Gobi desert last year at 63 years old.
Polar Dream, the story of her solo walk to the magnetic North Pole with her Inuit dog Charlie is invigorating, with a down to earth humble look at life.
Charlie is loyaly devoted to Helen and saves her life from a polar bear. Polar Dream has been available for ten years. The first edition was excellent and the second edtion is even better with many more photos. I bought 14 books in English, 4 books in German, and one in Dutch for Christmas presents and all recipients are inspired and can't wait for Thayer's next book.
The fast moving, highly descriptive story is sentitive and not afraid to expose vulnerable inner thoughts and feelings.
This is a great book for men and women as proven by my Christmas gift list.
And kudos to wonderful Charlie, Helen's devoted dog-assitant and life saver on the journey.
This Real Life Story Gave Me Back My Life November 23, 2002
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Without a snowmobile, dog team or resupply, Helen Thayer walked and skied alone to the Magnetic North Pole with her Eskimo dog Charlie. This true story of the trust that bonded woman and canine companion together is a classic. Frostbite, storms, broken sea ice, a tent fire, near starvation, and polar bears, never deterred this amazing five-feet-three-inch, 50 year old woman from her goal. A recent shattering crisis in my life left me without hope until a friend gave me this book. It changed my life, enabling me to set a goal, look ahead with optimism and never give up just as Helen Thayer did in her quest to reach the M.N.Pole. Her writing style is fast moving and delightfully descriptive and portrays a humble down to earth individual who absolutely adores her Charlie who saved her life from a polar bear. The writing style makes you feel as if you are right there traveling with Helen and Charlie. This second edition has many more photos than the first and the updated first chapter and the new Epilogue enhance an already great book. A definite must read!
Incredible Journey of an Amazing Team -- Charlie and Helen November 21, 2002
Crystal L. Gilliland (Enumclaw, WA United States)
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I recently heard Helen give a talk on her journey at the college where I teach. I was so inspired by the talk that I immediately bought the book and started reading. It was an easy read and I was so entranced with it that I read it in only a few days. This is not only the story of an amazing journey of survival filled with close calls from polar bears, ice break-ups, horrific storms, and more, but it is a story of unconditional love and loyalty between an incredible woman and her faithful, steadfast dog. As I read the book, I was inspired by her descriptions of the vast beauty of the Arctic, the tremendous respect earned by the polar bears, and the fierce nature of the Arctic storms. Her sharing of how she survived this experience from her innermost thoughts to the physical aspects of the journey were equally inspiring and very much appreciated. Most of all, though, I fell in love with Charlie and, being a dog person already, was again reminded of that amazing heartfelt bond that can exist between a dog and his/her master. The immediate bond that developed between Charlie and Helen was inspiring, and the way in which it was strengthened over the course of the journey was heartwarming. This is a book for dog lovers as much as for adventurers or animal lovers (especially those fascinated with polar bears like myself). I truly believe that this book would appeal to almost anyone. Helen's goal to bring her experiences into the classroom for students is very admirable. Her website with classroom materials is a great resource for teachers. As an advisor to our Teachers of Tomorrow Club, I am very excited to share all of this with our students and was thrilled when Helen agreed to be the keynote for our upcoming Future Teachers Conference. Her commitment to sharing her experiences in an educational environment is commendable. Again, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I am not a big reader, but found myself mesmerized by this book. I enjoyed it so much that I have already bought several copies for gifts. I am really looking forward to the upcoming release of her next book, Three Among the Wolves.
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