Information Books Review #2

Deem, James M. 2008. BODIES FROM THE ICE: MELTING GLACIERS AND THE RECOVERY OF THE PAST. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 978-0-618-80045-2

PLOT SUMMARY

Accomplishing the feet of scaling some of the highest mountains in the world would feel amazing. But what about if while you were on your trek, and you happened upon a dead body that had been perfectly preserved and frozen for hundreds of years inside a glacier? In this very graphic book, seven of the highest mountains that have been covered in sheets of ice for thousands of years are highlighted in some amazing ways. Unsuccessful travels by some reveal how, when and where they found their death sentences, while other findings reveal ritual sacrifices that were made of young children to keep harmony with the gods, and still others were simply thrill seekers out looking for adventure. Due to glacier melting, scientists are able to study the ancient findings of these dead people and learn more about who they were and their ways of life. Global warming isn’t a good thing to be happening, but people of today are able to draw upon information of the past that most likely would have never been found out otherwise.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The organization in this book spotlights seven specific glacier landforms from around the world dedicating a separate chapter to each. Each chapter makes clear the geography location of the glacier at hand being studied and includes a prologue about the person(s) who located the dead corpse unexpectedly along their travels. Precise details of when and how the deaths occurred are explained through the methods used in proper scientific research and excavation efforts.

Vivid photographs and illustrations can be found on every page. Although somewhat graphic and eerie to see, it is also very interesting to dig into the unknowns of what life was like for people a long time ago. Photos of artifacts that were located at or near the body are also presented in the book. The subject matter is very easily explained. You could certainly skip around the pages in reading this book and still understand the information.

The style is very stunning and lures a reader to keep reading more because it is such an uncharacteristic situation to see pictures of and be able to read about. I personally found myself taking double-takes of the photographs that are included. Reading the book makes you contemplate the people of past ages and what trials and tribulations they must have faced in life, as well as make one appreciate the modern times of today. Although only seven glaciers were featured, I could have very easily read more stories about the unusual findings on other glaciers if that information had existed in this book.

The format of this book includes a table of contents, captions explaining every photograph & illustration, a travel section about well-known glaciers to visit, suggested websites for more information, acknowledgements, bibliography, illustration credits, and an index. Deem is a well sighted author for writing similar non-fiction books. He uses an unbiased approach in sharing the information he uncovers for his readers.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal starred: “With its extensive bibliography, suggested Web sites, and a listing of glaciers to visit, Bodies is a fantastic resource. Deem superbly weaves diverse geographical settings, time periods, and climate issues into a readable work that reveals the increasing interdisciplinary dimensions of the sciences.”

Kirkus Review starred: “Photos of skulls, mummified bodies and artifacts will fascinate readers. An intriguing read, complementing the author's highly commended Bodies from the Bog (1998) and Bodies from the Ash (2005), with a bonus environmental message.”

Horn Book starred: “Deem gives readers a tour of mummified bodies found in ice the world over. The design, with its variety of photographs, captions, and sidebars, seals the appeal.”

Library Media Connection starred: “Children will be especially engrossed by the chapter on the frozen children of the Andes in South America who were sacrificed to appease their gods. Vivid photos of human remains are eerie and will surely intrigue readers of all ages. This book is a treat to look at, but is also chock-full of enough text and factual information to be a great resource for research reports.”

Booklist: “There are books about melting glaciers and books about frozen bodies, but this attractive offering combines the topics in a way that will intrigue readers.”

CONNECTIONS

*Research and locate on a map the top 10 glaciers that currently exist around the world. Find their exact latitude and longitude points.

*Encourage students to campaign ways to educate others so that we can personally help the environment and keep global warming at a minimum.

*Discover more of who the Inca’s were by visiting the following websites: www.mountain.org/reinhard/ www.ucsm.edu.pe/santury/

*Learn more about Otzi the Iceman whose body was found 5,300 years after his death by visiting www.iceman.it

*Study the different kinds of glacier formations.

*Find out what the weather conditions were like that made glaciers form so long ago and answer why this natural occurrence isn’t still prominently happening.