Though Kearns's gripping debut is not the first account of the crash of the Martin PBM seaplane George 1
in Antarctica in December 1946, his is the most recent and most complete, unfolding with page-turning immediacy. The plane was part of Operation Highjump, a mammoth U.S. Navy survey expedition that set out to photomap Antarctica under the leadership of hardy polar perennial Adm. Richard E. Byrd. The George 1
crashed in a whiteout, and three of the nine crewmen died. The others survived their injuries and two weeks of Antarctic weather, thanks to personal ingenuity, hardihood, courage, the leadership of Capt. Henry Caldwell and the salvaging of adequate food. Their radios didn't work, but a shoestring search-and-rescue operation finally spotted their smoke signals. All were flown out safely and returned home, although pilot Ralph LeBlanc lost his legs. Copilot Bill Kearns lived to become the author's father. With intimate access to surviving sources, plus a depth of personal commitment, the author makes a compelling addition to survival literature. (Nov. 15)
