Realm of Ice and Sky: a time of innovation, discovery and tragedy

Realm of Ice and Sky: Triumph, Tragedy and History’s Greatest Arctic Rescue by Buddy Levy is an in depth recounting of the untold stories of the Arctic exploration. Walter Wellman was an Arctic explorer and visionary whose public image has been one of a self-promoting egomaniac known for catastrophic rather than his successes. In truth, he was a courageous innovator who was willing to push boundaries and was one of the many on the road to the ultimate conquest of the North Pole. Author Buddy Levy sets out to show that Wellman wanted to get to the North Pole by airship. Along with Wellman’s innovative plans, there were many men who claimed to be the first to the North Pole, leading to successes and tragic failures. One of those men was Italian explorer Umberto Nobile. Backed by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, a journey would end in disaster, death that launched one of the greatest rescues and horrifying accusations.

In an age of exploration and travel innovation, brave and curious men thought of different ways to explore the unknown. In a thrilling narrative of polar exploration, Buddy Levy brings light to the use of the airship in the exploration and the men who blazed the trail and sacrificed everything in order to make history. Most know the famous Sir Edmund Hillary and Robert Peary as they explored a path to the poles. However, Realm of Ice and Sky opened the history book to bring to light to the other men who also strived to make it to the arctic. I had never heard of Walter Wellman and his airship or the tragedy and aftermath involving Umberto Nobile. I thoroughly enjoyed reading more about the men who risked it all. Author Buddy Levy takes history and makes it an interesting and thrilling read. If you enjoy history, innovation and those who braved to explore the unknown, I highly recommend Realm of Ice and Sky. 

Realm of Ice and Sky will be available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook on January 28, 2025