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Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night Hardcover – May 4, 2021

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,873 ratings

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “exquisitely researched and deeply engrossing” (The New York Times) true survival story of an early polar expedition that went terribly awry—with the ship frozen in ice and the crew trapped inside for the entire sunless, Antarctic winter

“The energy of the narrative never flags. . . . Sancton has produced a thriller.”—The Wall Street Journal

In August 1897, the young Belgian commandant Adrien de Gerlache set sail for a three-year expedition aboard the good ship Belgica with dreams of glory. His destination was the uncharted end of the earth: the icy continent of Antarctica.

But de Gerlache’s plans to be first to the magnetic South Pole would swiftly go awry. After a series of costly setbacks, the commandant faced two bad options: turn back in defeat and spare his men the devastating Antarctic winter, or recklessly chase fame by sailing deeper into the freezing waters. De Gerlache sailed on, and soon the Belgica was stuck fast in the icy hold of the Bellingshausen Sea. When the sun set on the magnificent polar landscape one last time, the ship’s occupants were condemned to months of endless night. In the darkness, plagued by a mysterious illness and besieged by monotony, they descended into madness.

In
Madhouse at the End of the Earth, Julian Sancton unfolds an epic story of adventure and horror for the ages. As the Belgica’s men teetered on the brink, de Gerlache relied increasingly on two young officers whose friendship had blossomed in captivity: the expedition’s lone American, Dr. Frederick Cook—half genius, half con man—whose later infamy would overshadow his brilliance on the Belgica; and the ship’s first mate, soon-to-be legendary Roald Amundsen, even in his youth the storybook picture of a sailor. Together, they would plan a last-ditch, nearly certain-to-fail escape from the ice—one that would either etch their names in history or doom them to a terrible fate at the ocean’s bottom.

Drawing on the diaries and journals of the Belgica’s crew and with exclusive access to the ship’s logbook, Sancton brings novelistic flair to a story of human extremes, one so remarkable that even today NASA studies it for research on isolation for future missions to Mars. Equal parts maritime thriller and gothic horror,
Madhouse at the End of the Earth is an unforgettable journey into the deep.
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From the Publisher

praise from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, New York Review of Books, and The Sunday Times

The Belgica anchored in the Gerlache Straitfirst few weeks of 1898. De Gerlache Family Collection

The forecastle, seen from the nose of the Belgica. De Gerlache Family Collection

De Gerlacheand an emperor penguin captured on the pack ice. De Gerlache Family Collection

An excursion to an iceberg not far from the Belgica Courtesy of the National Library of Norway

Dinner in the wardroom: Arctowski, Amundsen, Lecointe, Racovitza, and de Gerlache. Fram Museum

Polish geologist and meteorologist Henryk Arctowski.Library of Congress, Frederick A. Cook Society

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A grade-A classic.”The Sunday Times

“A vivid horror story . . . thrillingly recounted.”
The New York Review of Books

“As soon as you finish, you want to read it again.”
Daily Mail

Madhouse at the End of the Earth [is an] exquisitely researched and deeply engrossing account of the Belgica’s disastrous Antarctic expedition. Sancton uses . . . an extraordinary treasure trove . . . to tease out the personalities and fears and rivalries of his subjects [in] his increasingly harrowing descriptions of life on the Belgica.”—The New York Times

“An extraordinary tale of ambition, folly, heroism and survival, superbly told by Julian Sancton, who has rescued the
Belgica’s story from relative obscurity and brought it to magnificent life . . . [a] splendid, beautifully written book.”The Spectator

“I started reading
Madhouse at the End of the Earth . . . and I couldn’t stop. [It] reads like an adventure novel [and] is so detailed you can almost smell and taste it.”Bon Appétit

“Locked down, I craved perilous adventure. Julian Sancton’s
Madhouse at the End of the Earth delivered. The Belgica’s 1897 South Pole expedition is pure horror. Clueless captain, rat-infested ship frozen into the ice, scurvy, darkness, hunger, insanity . . . terrific stuff.”—The New Statesman, “Books of the Year”

“At once a riveting survival tale and a terrifying psychological thriller,
Madhouse at the End of the Earth is a mesmerizing, unputdownable read. It deserves a place beside Alfred Lansing’s immortal classic Endurance.”—Nathaniel Philbrick, New York Times bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea and Valiant Ambition

Madhouse is that rare nonfiction gem—an obscure but important history transformed by deep research and note-perfect storytelling into a classic thriller. Reading this book is as much an adventure as the very story it tells.”—Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs

Madhouse at the End of the Earth has it all: idealism, ingenuity, ambition, explosives, flimflammery, a colorful cast, a blank map, a three-month-long night, penguins (and medicinal penguin meat). . . . A riveting tale, splendidly told.”—Stacy Schiff, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Witches and Cleopatra

“A generation before Shackleton’s
Endurance, an adventure every bit as bold and dreadful took place at the bottom of the world, led by a band of unimaginably colorful and resolute explorers. A wild tale, so well told and immersively researched.”—Hampton Sides, nationally bestselling author of In the Kingdom of Ice

“With meticulous research and a novelist’s keen eye, Sancton has penned one of the most enthralling—and harrowing—adventure stories in years.”
—Scott Anderson, New York Times bestselling author of Lawrence in Arabia and The Quiet Americans

About the Author

Julian Sancton is a writer and editor whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, The New Yorker, Departures, and Playboy, among other publications. He has reported from every continent, including Antarctica, which he first visited while researching this book. He lives in Larchmont, New York, with his partner, Jessica, and their two daughters.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown; First Edition (May 4, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1984824333
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1984824332
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 3,873 ratings

About the author

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Julian Sancton
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Julian Sancton is a senior features editor at Departures magazine, where he writes about culture and travel. His work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Esquire, The New Yorker, Wired, and Playboy, among other publications. He spent most of his childhood in France and attended Harvard University, where he studied European history. He lives in Larchmont, New York.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
3,873 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and well-written. They describe the book as an awesome, fun read with great character development. The writing is described as excellent and descriptive. Readers appreciate the insightful research and historical accuracy of the book. The characters are described as fascinating and heroic. Overall, customers find the book warm and compelling.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

68 customers mention "Story quality"68 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the compelling story of survival. They find it an engaging historical account with gripping drama that keeps them awake. The book revives an expedition that almost seemed long-gone, creating an immersive reading experience for the reader.

"...It truly rivals Shackleton's story for sheer endurance and psychological resilience -- I'm left sad that so many polar adventure readers have been..." Read more

"...The action scenes are very tense and well-written. The flawed hubris of humanity against wild nature comes through in great relief...." Read more

"...important historical contribution to Antarctic history and revives an expedition that almost seemed nearly forgotten to the depths of time...." Read more

"...written, it moves along like a good novel, and is a true account of a very interesting time in the exploration of unknown territories...." Read more

54 customers mention "Writing quality"54 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's writing excellent and descriptive. They describe it as a good, easy read with well-researched details. The book is described as mesmerizing and unputdownable.

"What a compelling read! The writing was fantastic, and the primary source research was seamlessly pulled into a narrative that was engaging and..." Read more

"...The action scenes are very tense and well-written. The flawed hubris of humanity against wild nature comes through in great relief...." Read more

"...Some parts of the book are written so well and capture your attention, that the story seems almost like a work of fiction...." Read more

"I bought this book for two different friends, it's well written, it moves along like a good novel, and is a true account of a very interesting time..." Read more

41 customers mention "Readability"41 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They describe it as an exciting story with well-written characters.

"What a compelling read!..." Read more

"This is an excellent book, enjoyable to read and rich in detail...." Read more

"What an awesome read. So much insight into the minds and actions of three great explorers!" Read more

"This excellent book is a well executed review of the Belgian campaign to explore Arctic and Antarctica regions . First Rate !" Read more

24 customers mention "Research quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's research quality. They find it insightful, well-researched, and fascinating. The author is described as a serious researcher and talented writer. The style is educational and enjoyable, keeping readers interested.

"...I was in awe of how much research the author did, yet still managed to make the story so engaging that I picked it up each morning in preference to..." Read more

"...Julian Sancton does a superb job with meticulous research into this expedition, and explores the trials and tribulations of it's commandant: Adrien..." Read more

"What an awesome read. So much insight into the minds and actions of three great explorers!" Read more

"...A great story I was not aware of before reading. Loved the science and its implications for our future." Read more

17 customers mention "Historical accuracy"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book informative and engaging. They appreciate the historical accuracy and detail about Antarctic exploration. Readers also mention that the book provides an insightful view into the late 19th century and the dreams of brave men.

"...This book is a very important historical contribution to Antarctic history and revives an expedition that almost seemed nearly forgotten to the..." Read more

"...included none other than Roald Amundsen, possibly the greatest polar explorer of all time...." Read more

"...Very easy to read book with plenty of polar facts are included without letting go the storytelling." Read more

"...This is a book that will keep your interest and open up a view to the late nineteenth century and the dreams of brave men...." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the cast fascinating, with different personalities and heroic acts. The book is described as an adventure with great writing.

"...exploration, is rich with weird turn-of-the-century nationalism and heroic acts...." Read more

"...on a flight , and I must say, wow, what an amazing story and cast of characters...." Read more

"...that of Ernest Shackleton in Endurance, but the crew includes a number of interesting characters, one of whom ended up in prison." Read more

"...a quick affecting read and utterly sympathetic and generous to its cast of characters, it's just not a finger singeing page turner." Read more

9 customers mention "Warmth"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They appreciate the warmth and compassion it brings to the story, with real-life characters, frozen ships, and penguins. The writing is fantastic and keeps them awake with its descriptions of perils and challenges faced by Antarctic ice flows, flora, and animal life.

"...Read it and enjoy the fact that you have a house, and have food, and heat!" Read more

"...Told factually and with warmth and compassion. A great story I was not aware of before reading. Loved the science and its implications for our future." Read more

"...an expedition that faces many perils and challenges as many components of Antarctic ice flows, flora, and animal life are explored and categorized." Read more

"...A gripping drama that will keep you awake, and shivering." Read more

8 customers mention "Value for money"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides good value for money. They say it's an excellent account of an adventure, and the region described is priceless.

"...And the region being described is pretty priceless on its own." Read more

"It is phenomenal. What a story! The author does a fantastic job of using the written records to vividly bring this voyage to life...." Read more

"This is a very good book about something I never even imagined, even though a famous Arctic explorer was one of the players in this story...." Read more

"Excellent account of what can only be described as the greatest adventure in preen history. Would read more by this author" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2021
    What a compelling read! The writing was fantastic, and the primary source research was seamlessly pulled into a narrative that was engaging and psychologically fascinating. I was in awe of how much research the author did, yet still managed to make the story so engaging that I picked it up each morning in preference to the daily paper (something I never do.) I have read many polar exploration accounts and often the Belgica has been mentioned in passing as an example of men who went mad after being trapped through the polar night. What an over-simplification! I had read nothing that told the story of these men's fortitude and unbelievable resourcefulness, nor did it stick in my mind from these mentions that the Belgica successfully over-wintered and RETURNED HOME, while only losing two men. Reading about how they survived and got out of the pack ice made my jaw drop. Thank goodness someone has finally told the real story, so that the Belgica expedition gets its due and doesn't remain merely a misleading footnote about insanity from isolation. It truly rivals Shackleton's story for sheer endurance and psychological resilience -- I'm left sad that so many polar adventure readers have been left with the impression for over a century that the Beljica was nothing more than an object lesson about what could go wrong. Instead, it is an object lesson about the human spirit and what can be done when all appears to be lost. Absolutely inspiring. Thank you so much for hours of enjoyment and inspiration, Julian Sancton, thank you for resurrecting these men's unbelievable accomplishment in a way that gave me courage for my own life.
    28 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2021
    This is an excellent book, enjoyable to read and rich in detail. The story itself, of a Belgian whaler refitted for polar exploration, is rich with weird turn-of-the-century nationalism and heroic acts. The characters, from the commandant and captain to the celebrated conqueror of the South Pole Roald Amundsen, are novel-worthy in the best sense. The author treats all of them with respect, while showing their flaws through the harrowing narrative. The action scenes are very tense and well-written. The flawed hubris of humanity against wild nature comes through in great relief. And the region being described is pretty priceless on its own.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2021
    Having read about the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration and the daring exploits of it's more well-known men such as Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen, I knew it was mandatory for me to read about an expedition that, up until now, I had little (if any) knowledge about. The expedition that started the era of Antarctic exploration: The Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899.

    Julian Sancton does a superb job with meticulous research into this expedition, and explores the trials and tribulations of it's commandant: Adrien de Gerlache and his officers and crew that he is in charge of. Some parts of the book are written so well and capture your attention, that the story seems almost like a work of fiction. Sancton makes you feel empathic to de Gerlache's plight of commanding a petty and insubordinate crew during the early stages of the expedition. Sancton does this by going into depth of the characters of the men aboard the Belgica with detail. One can feel sympathy and grievance with de Gerlache, who ends up redeeming himself when the ship is threatened with another winter in the pack ice of Antarctica. One can feel frustrated yet inspired by the resident doctor aboard, Frederick Cook, who later in life loses his prestige and respect to scandals of his own making. One can certainly feel contemptuous and slightly unforgiving to the spiteful and unforgiving Norwegian Roald Amundsen, who would later in his life lead his own expedition and claim the South Pole for his own country, to the ire of the British people who felt he slighted Robert Falcon Scott of the honor.

    This book is a very important historical contribution to Antarctic history and revives an expedition that almost seemed nearly forgotten to the depths of time. Sancton makes sure that the story of the Belgica and her men would live on, and never be forgotten. I highly recommend this book, even if you're not into the history of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.
    12 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2024
    I bought this book for two different friends, it's well written, it moves along like a good novel, and is a true account of a very interesting time in the exploration of unknown territories. Read it and enjoy the fact that you have a house, and have food, and heat!
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
    What an awesome read. So much insight into the minds and actions of three great explorers!
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2023
    A highly detailed account of the Belgiica crew's journey, comrades, and heartbreak. Told factually and with warmth and compassion. A great story I was not aware of before reading. Loved the science and its implications for our future.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2024
    This excellent book is a well executed review of the Belgian campaign to explore Arctic and Antarctica regions . First Rate !
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2024
    Great story, exciting, fun to read and well written.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The initial exploration of Antartica was tough
    Reviewed in Canada on April 4, 2024
    A compelling story. It sounds heroic and exciting to be the first to explore the ends of the earth, but the reality was something quite different. I think that its fair to say that these explorers were not well prepared psychologically for spending the long summer night trapped in a constantly shifting ice field. In fact, that wasn't the original plan but the expedition leader, willing to take risks for a shot at glory, sealed their fate by heading south when perhaps they should have headed north to home.
    The books is very well written- it make the reader feel that they are right in with the sailors. Also, the ship was manned by a very interesting team. Real life is more exciting than fiction! Two people, an ambitious doctor and a famous explorer in waiting, Raold Amundsen, kept the expedition alive when most of the crew, including the leader were suffering from scurvy, depression and apathy.
    I recommend it- it portrays a unique experience from an earlier time! The closest contemporary equivalent experience might be exploration of the Moon or a planet.
  • Luis C. Morton
    3.0 out of 5 stars Llego la cubierta del libro con pegamento de la caajaa.
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 22, 2023
    No me gusto que llego la cubierta del libro (dust jacket) con pegamento de la caja y rota.
  • RAMON P ARIAS FILHO
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sensacional, um livro que se transforma num companheiro inseparável
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 17, 2023
    Esse é um daqueles livros que te transportam para uma outra realidade no espaço e no tempo. A maneira como o autor faz com que você se sinta no extremo do planeta, quase que sentindo o gelo ao seu redor é incrível. Neste livro, como na guerra, você encontra o melhor e o pior do ser humano contado através das situações vividas pela tripulação. Recomendo a todos que gostam de estórias bem contadas de resistência e desafios e querem um sentir um gosto, mesmo que na segurança da sua poltrona, da excitação de uma aventura fascinante.
  • ED
    5.0 out of 5 stars Madhouse at the End of the Earth:
    Reviewed in Italy on August 12, 2024
    Questa libra e piacere da leggere, una racconta di esplorazione per trovare la vera polo sud, tutti le difficoltà e ostacoli le equipaggio hanno assorbito e di quelli che hanno sopravvissuta, e una storia vera.
  • Hobo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story, intesively told.
    Reviewed in Germany on February 6, 2024
    Great Story, intesively told.