This is the story of how David Hempleman-Adams undertook a 1600 mile journey to the North Pole by balloon in an open-air wicker basket. He revisits the trip that inspired him—an ill-fated Swedish expedition in 1897 that had a doomed love affair at the heart of its tale. When an obsessed adventurer adds to his list of accomplishments a balloon journey to the North Pole, there must be a story worth telling. When an equally obsessed adventurer attempts the same feat more than a century earlier, the contrast of the two experiences insures a riveting read. In July 1897, Norwegian Salomon Andree, accompanied by Nils Strindberg and Knut Frankel, headed for the North Pole only to crash three days later and then spend the next two and a half months trekking over polar ice in a vain attempt to survive. Inspired by this ill-fated expedition, Englishman Hempleman-Adams, whose previous heroic exploits have been documented in Walking on Thin Ice and Toughing It Out, set out to reach the North Pole by balloon in May 2000. The solo flight lasted just a week and ended in triumph. In this detailed account, Hempleman-Adams tells the stories of both journeys and includes original photographs and documents from the Swedish expedition. Strindberg's ill-fated love story, which plays a prominent part in the early adventure, is perhaps given too much attention. Furthermore, neither Hempleman-Adams nor Andree are particularly symphathetic characters. However, the book is filled with fascinating details that make up for these weaknesses. Recommended for most libraries. Janet Ross, formerly with Sparks Branch Lib., NV Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. On May 28, 2000, explorer David Hempleman–Adams took off from Spitsbergen, Norway on a flight to the North Pole, inspired by an ill–fated Swedish expedition that had taken place over a century earlier. His fragile wicker basket contained tanks of liquid oxygen to allow him to survive at high altitudes, a raft in case he crash–landed in the freezing Arctic Ocean, and forty days’ worth of emergency rations. He knew that if he survived the week ahead, he would be the first man ever to reach the North Pole by balloon. At the Mercy of the Winds tells the stories of both historical journeys; featuring a gripping account of Hempleman–Adams’ own expedition, as well as original photos and documents from the Swedish voyage, it is set to become an adventure classic. David Hempleman–Adams recounted his earlier exploits in his highly acclaimed memoirs Toughing It Out: The Adventures of a Polar Explorer and Walking on Thin Ice: In Pursuit of the North Pole. le story of the first man to fly to the North Pole and back by balloon. On June 3rd 2000, explorer David Hempleman-Adams touched down in Spitzbergen after his dramatic flight to the North Pole by balloon. Inspired by an ill-fated Swedish expedition over a century earlier, he piloted his balloon through the maelstrom of the Arctic wind on his 1,600 mile round trip. At the Mercy of the Winds is the epic story of his flight. Featuring up-to-the-minute drama from his expedition, original photographs and love letters from the 1897 Swedish voyage, and a page-turning text from acclaimed Telegraph journalist Robert Uhlig, this is a truly gripping true adventure story. In 1998, David Hempleman-Adams became the first person to complete the explorers’ Grand Slam, a challenge which has seen him conquer the North, South and Magnetic Poles and scale the highest mountain in each of the seven continents, including Everest. Used Book in Good Condition