The Icemen

by M.E. Morris

When Navy Commander Marc Bradford leads his air squadron to Antarctica on what he thinks is routine support of our scientific stations there, little does he imagine that he is about to stumble into an amazing plot to revive the Third Reich.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

343 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1988

Reviews

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if some surviving Nazi fugitives established a presence in the Antartica with the help of ally, Argentina? That is the premise of this quasi-fantasy thriller/historical fiction novel. I must admit that I was drawn in by the idea of Nazi Germany survivors thriving and establishing a new colony (Argentino Station) in Antartica. The book starts on a promising note of intrigue but then meanders for the first 200+ pages. The author dedicates too much of the novel to introduce the main characters but then goes into great detail about military aircraft, military culture, Antartica settlements, international politics, and the Nazi ideology. The result is a slow moving novel until past page 225 with the violence of snowstorm. While I did learn some new information about aircrafts, the rest was not new to me. The last 90 pages pick up the pace. The latter part of the book is full of intrigue and limited military action as the Nazi German presence is detected and targeted by the Allied forces arriving for routine checks on the various bases. The point when the Americans via CIA agents in New Zealand realize what is happening in Antartica is the first climax. The resulting ending is very good. The author is successful in creating some colorful characters who propel the story: the enemy: the new Fuhrer (?), Dr. Scnell, Colonel Kurt Eisner, and Argentine Minister Alberto Mignone,; the Allies: Lieutenant Sheila 'Frosty' Kohn (a pilot), Commander Marc Bradford, Dr. Anatoli Vladimirovich Kakushkin - KGB agent, Lt. Commander Bud Tilley, British Lt. 'Chopper' John Fitch, Mr. Minochetti - CIA Head in New Zealand, Rear Admiral Brady, and Berel Kosciusco - an Israeli Nazi hunter. There are other secondary characters who represent the everyman, the enlisted soldier, and civilians with an interest. The novel is primarily a thriller which is good BUT it is not heavy on action and adventure at all. There si a small fight in the climax but nothin worth commenting on.

Overall, the surprise leader of the 'new' Nazi Germany emerging was the only thing worth noting This is NOT an action novel like I expected but it is a good thriller at times. Having said that, I will never reread this and will probably sell this book.

[David Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Antarctic action story. May be a little too much aircraft technical detail for some, but that helped make the story for me.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read that educated me on some of the Antarctic missions. Technical detail was cool and encouraged me to look up some of the planes that were being discussed. Good read with decent pacing

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Icemen is an entertaining novel centered around an American flight crew stationed on Antarctica during the summer season. Once the intrigue in the story gets started it kind of reminds me of a (lesser) James Rollins or Michael Crichton novel. The pacing could be on the slow side at times, especially if you're not interested in the details of flying a plane, and some of the writing was poor. However, overall I think the reviews I had seen of this book were harsher than they needed to be. Is it a stunning tour de force? No, but it is an enjoyable read.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was GREAT- learned alot about Antarctica and flying- lots of technical detail, but well written and interesting, the lives of the main characters and their interactions in such living conditions, the Nazis trying to establish their government again , loss, death due to the harsh environment- very very good read, couldn't stop once i got 3/4 thru- good all the way thru but lots of action to resolve - good ending-