A Google user
Theodore Cohen goes back to a time in his life to create a fictional story based on his own real-life experiences during the Austral summer of 1961 -1962. He was part of a Chilean Antarctic expedition with a team of scientists from the University of Wisconsin doing a gravity survey. The work was down on the North Antarctic Peninsula.
Cohen carefully builds a plot which includes natural dangers of weather and environment, criminal activity, greed, and murder. Cohen uses actual events which occurred during the period 1958 through 1965. Real people from his life, fictional characters, and fictional agencies and organizations are all a part of the carefully developed plot. Cohen incorporates the Great Chilean Earthquake of May 22, 1960 and the theft of valuable assets from the bank’s safe deposit boxes valued at millions of dollars to build suspense that leads to an unexpected surprise ending.
The following is typical of Cohen’s amazing descriptions: “ a world of ice, enveloping, looming over, and dominating the landscape…melting cracking, separating, inching inexorably toward the sea, calving in thunderous convulsions that send thousands of tons of ice and snow pouring down from great heights…”
The University of Wisconsin team had a threefold objective. Grant mapped large portions of the area and collected a variety of rocks and fossils that he needed in defense of his doctoral theses in Cretaceous sedimentation. David similarly was collecting rock samples needed for his doctoral work. Ted was working to establish a new gravity network in the Chilean Antarctica.
The book is thoroughly researched, fully documented, and highly informative. Ham radio operators will appreciate the detailed descriptions of strategies involved in communicating world wide with Ham radio and other high frequency communications. Avid Chess fans will enjoy the reference to highly complicated chess moves and mention of various well-known Chess Tournaments. Frequent references to Catholic tradition and rites will be of interest to practicing Catholics.
I appreciated the use of the Spanish language when appropriate in the dialog with the easy reference to the English translation. I was enthralled with Cohen’s account of the Chinstrap penguins (a rookery of over 100,000.) Cohen’s own pictures, other photos, maps and illustrations add a stunning visual dimension to the narrative
Cohen writes with depth, authenticity, and meaning as he draws from his own experiences. He adeptly expresses the feelings, emotions, and psyche of his characters. It became difficult to pinpoint where biographical writing ended and fiction began.
“Frozen in Time” is compelling reading combining the elements of conflict, suspense, intrigue, entertainment, and enlightenment. I highly recommended it.
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A Google user
Theodore Jerome Cohen wrote "Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World" in a genre all of his own by combining fact with fiction, reality with storytelling, and history with adventure. This unique combination of writing is a style unto itself, simultaneously delivering exceptionally high entertainment value while providing immense educational insight. Based on Dr. Cohen’s true once-in-a-lifetime adventure of a journey to Antarctica, back in the early 1960’s as a younger man, he actually did embark on a mission to monitor the gravitational field of the earth for scientific research. As one would think memoirs of such a fantastic journey would be sufficient material for fascinating reading, Theodore Cohen goes further in "Frozen in Time" by interlacing within the novel a factious story about a theft of grand proportions. The escape path along with the stolen wealth finds its way on the Piloto Pardo, a vessel in the port of Punta Arenas, Chile, destined to Antarctica, along with the “cast and crew” – the cast of characters and crew of the vessel.
What is most unique is how Dr. Cohen, a Ph.D. in real life with more degrees than all of the thermometers in Antarctica, writes specific details and events which actually did occur, along with the fictional account of “the heist.” Citing real events, Theodore Cohen includes in the galley text an abundance of footnotes allowing the reader expert insight of the details of the story’s true aspects. This creates a clear dichotomy of fact versus fiction, as the footnotes bring to the reader’s attention avenues for further research, or expert explanations of the true circumstances described. Then are the elements of his plot, character development, and twist of fate of the “novel” aspect of "Frozen in Time." Together one perceives a window into the soul of the author, who simply changes his last name from Cohen to Stone for the sake of the story, but still is called Ted. I enjoyed the progression of the true events as the book continued, while also enjoying the “cat and mouse” of the crime; in essence reading two books within one novel. Having the human survival aspects combined with human greed made this the unique book it truly is.
Meticulously written, footnoted, including photographs, maps, memorabilia from the voyage,"Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World" is an author’s doctorate work in novel creation, hardbound with chilling cover art. I am told by the author the characters are soon to reemerge in a sequel. Frankly, from the mind of Ted, a series of life’s adventures must certainly be awaiting his keyboard for release.
I certainly recommend this book for the travel enthusiast, adventure seeker, scientist and thrill seeking novel nerds among us, as well as anyone looking to read something different and as true to life as fiction can be.
A Google user
Author Theodore Jerome Cohen adeptly mixes fact with fiction in his fascinating novel, "Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World". Taking place during the austral summer of 1961-1962, we embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Ted Stone, a graduate student on his way to the Antarctic to assist in the collection of rock samples as well as establishing a new gravity network. The journey is difficult, to say the least, and could easily turn deadly due to severe storms, icebergs, calving glaciers and even hungry orcas. Mr. Cohen uses his unique personal experience to bring this story to life in a way that allows the reader to easily picture the beautiful setting as well as the dangers of life in such a harsh environment.
That said, I found the book to be engaging and, at times, intriguing but I wasn't left with a desire to read the other two books in the Antarctic Murders trilogy. This book is marketed as a novel but it is made very clear that it is based on actual events. In an effort to clarify what is real and what isn't, the author has made use of footnotes, often referencing web sites, which the reader can use to familiarize themselves with the truth that surrounds the fiction. I found these footnotes to be very distracting and they often pulled my focus from the story just as I was getting more into it. I think the book would have been better served had this information been listed at the end in a "For more information" section or something similar.
Even though I had some issues with the layout of the book, it is obvious that Mr. Cohen is passionate about Antarctica and he uses that to his advantage throughout the novel to weave his story. It is well written, unique in perspective and offers a glimpse into an environment that most of us will never experience. I would recommend this book to those who love adventure and intrigue set in a brutal environment, written from the point of view of one who experienced these relentless surroundings first hand.