Ada Blackjack

A True Story of Survival in the Arctic

De: Jennifer Niven

Narrado por: Laural Merlington

In September 1921, four young men and Ada Blackjack, a diminutive 25-year-old Eskimo woman, ventured deep into the Arctic in a secret attempt to colonize desolate Wrangel Island for Great Britain. Two years later, Ada Blackjack emerged as the sole survivor of this ambitious polar expedition. This young, unskilled woman - who had headed to the Arctic in search of money and a husband - conquered the seemingly unconquerable north and survived all alone after her male companions had perished.

Following her triumphant return to civilization, the international press proclaimed her the female Robinson Crusoe. But whatever stories the press turned out came from the imaginations of reporters: Ada Blackjack refused to speak to anyone about her horrific two years in the Arctic. Only on one occasion - after charges were published falsely accusing her of causing the death of one her companions - did she speak up for herself.  

Jennifer Niven has created a compelling history of this remarkable woman, taking full advantage of the wealth of firsthand resources about Ada that exist, including her never-before-seen diaries, the unpublished diaries from other primary characters, and interviews with Ada's surviving son. Ada Blackjack is more than a rugged tale of a woman battling the elements to survive in the frozen north - it is the story of a hero.

©2003 Jennifer Niven (P)2020 Tantor

Inspirational

Ada Blackjack’s story is long and enduring, but this book is full of the facts of her life and the circumstances surrounding her heroic survival, as well as the men who played a role in her story. Highly recommend this read.

Exposè on the arctic and human greed

What a sad book. It would seem that the story of the actual expedition is sandwiched between numerous accounts of of deceit and greed surrounding it. I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book besides a harrowing adventure tale. What I got was an underlying current of greed.

Great true story

I recommend looking into Ada Blackjack’s story, but this audiobook is not the way. The narrators voice sounded digital to me. There were some weird pauses and pronunciations of words. I gave it a 2 hour try, but there were too many issues while listening.
There is a 3 part podcast (Against the Odds) telling the Ada story if you want an audio version, or get the physical book.

Incredible book, lackluster narrator

The narrator’s voice sounds robotic and dull. It’s not annoying, exactly, but it could put you to sleep. If you have a high tolerance for monotone narration, the book itself is completely worth it. If you don’t, then seriously consider picking up a paperback copy.

A wonderful woman

I write this as a native Alaskan who knew of vilhjalmur stefansson and nothing of Ada Blackjack. The story starts slowly, but is thrilling in it’s detail. It gives much on the ethno-culture of the adventurers and nothing of Ada’s. This would have enlightened the culture clash on Wrangel. Some mispronunciations of Alaska names!