Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night

In August 1897, young Belgian commandant Adrien de Gerlache set sail on the Belgica for a three-year expedition to Antarctica, dreaming of glory. However, his plans to reach the magnetic South Pole failed due to costly setbacks. Facing defeat or recklessly chasing fame, he sailed deeper into the freezing waters, where the Belgica became stuck in the Bellingshausen Sea. As the sun set on the polar landscape, the crew was condemned to months of endless night, plagued by a mysterious illness and monotony, descending into madness.

Author Julian Sancton recounts a tale of adventure and horror. De Gerlache relied on two young officers: Dr. Frederick Cook, brilliant but a con-man, and the ship’s first mate, Roald Amundsen, a future legendary sailor. Together, they planned a last-ditch escape from the ice, which could either etch their names in history or doom them to a terrible fate.

(This book may contain a sharpie mark on the top or bottom edge and may show mild signs of shelfwear.)