Deem, J. M. (2008). Bodies from the ice: Melting glaciers and the recovery of the past. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 978-0-618-80045-2. 58 pp.
Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past is about glaciers, their movement, and the rate at which they are melting as well as the bodies and artifacts that are found as a result of their deterioration. Each chapter highlights glaciers within a specific region of the world and tells the story of how bodies and artifacts were found as well as what the findings reveal about the corpses such as when they lived, how they looked, cause of death, and lifestyle. Other interesting tidbits include the beginnings of glacier tourism, women discovering glaciers, and myths surrounding glaciers. The book concludes with ways in which we can try to save our glaciers, glacier sites worth visiting, and website recommendations for further reading.
Critical Analysis
This book is an interesting read and can be read as a whole for general interest or for gathering specific information through the use of the index. Basic information on the reasons for the melting glaciers along with an explanation of how long it can take a corpse to turn up from a glacier is explained early on so that readers can enjoy the stories specific to bodies found in the glaciers of various regions. As the book progresses, the author introduces more terminology along with explanations of how artifacts can reveal information about a corpse’s life. Illustrations abound and include maps of the featured areas; photos of mummies, artifacts found with the mummies, locations, and founders of some of the mummies; and paintings or drawings depicting some of the real life stories told. The book concludes with a list of glaciers to visit, suggested websites, and a bibliography for those wanting to find more information.
All the information presented appears to be recent and accurate. I was able to do some fact checking by exploring the topic further and have included websites that I found on the subject at the end of this analysis (see the web resources section below). There are many books about mummies and glaciers but fewer about the more specific topic of ice mummies, especially for young adults. This book makes one of two in my public library and so fills a nice gap. The only weakness is that it is clear that the author believes that global warming due to pollution is the main cause for the melting glaciers. However, the author also presents the other viewpoint that glacier melting just may be a normal occurrence of Earth’s climatic cycle. It is extremely fair of the author to present two viewpoints, although the latter is briefly mentioned.
This is a good book for middle and high school students (possibly younger depending on interests) or for any person who would like to read up on glaciers, archaeology, or anthropology. It makes nice supplementary material for a social studies, history, or science class. It is evident that the author is passionate about the subject because he presents the information well through exciting illustrations and storytelling to showcase important facts.
Web Resources on Ice Mummies and Glaciers
South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology: http://www.iceman.it/
The Christian Science Monitor article about the rate in which glaciers are melting: http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0503/Greenland-s-glaciers-melting-faster-say-scientists
National Geographic article about the effects of global warming and melting glaciers on our planet: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw/#page=1
References
Deem, J. M. (2008). Bodies from the ice: Melting glaciers and the recovery of the past. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 978-0-618-80045-2. 58 pp.
Glick, D. (2012). Signs from Earth: The big thaw. Retrieved from http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/big-thaw/#page=1
South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. (2011). South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. Retrieved from http://www.iceman.it/
Welsh, J. (2012, May 3). Greenland's glaciers melting faster, say scientists. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0503/Greenland-s-glaciers-melting-faster-say-scientists
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