Book Review: Frozen Frontlines by Jeff Knight

Reviewed by Peter Hassebroek

In the cold lonely Arctic, far from the battlefields of WWII, a soldier and his sled dog team face their own perils as an essential supply link for the Allies.

Historical fact and storytelling blend comfortably in harrowingly uncomfortable settings with the experiences of Ethan Carter, a young American soldier during World War II. Prior to the war, Ethan is contentedly growing up in rural New Hampshire, near the White Mountains. There, under the tutelage of local legend Harold Anderson, he develops into an excellent musher with a distinct affinity for the Alaskan Malamute:

“Ethan saw in them a reflection of the values his father had instilled in him: strength not wielded for show, but for purpose; resilience not born of arrogance, but necessity. These dogs weren’t fancy racehorses—they were bred for survival, for hauling the heaviest loads through the worst the world could offer.”

When Ethan’s draft letter arrives he dutifully enlists, as his father did in WWI, and reports for basic training in Virginia. His next step is an aviation school in New York where he picks up valuable mechanical skills. A need for war dogs and mushers leads the Army to Harold Anderson who unhesitatingly recommends his former protégé. Ethan transfers to Montana for specialized training in which he trains others as much as he learns himself. This earns him first choice of dog team. The Army even obliges his wish to go against their regulation of mixing breeds within teams to let him select one consisting of Malamutes only. His team is assigned to one of several bases in Greenland used as supply routes to Europe to thwart German interception.

A special mission comes along that poses a logistical dilemma: the timely multi-day transport of extremely heavy communications equipment vital to the D-Day operation. Only Ethan’s team has the power to pull it, but will they be fast enough? Let alone persevere through the forecasted snow storms?

The novel’s first half is a mix of historical background, some fictional lore about the Carter family legacy in the area, but much that is actual history. Including plenty of background about the New Hampshire region, the history of the Alaskan Malamute, the various bases where Ethan trains, and naturally the D-Day operation itself.

These asides can stray from the plot such that at times one wonders if the history is there to support Ethan’s story, or the reverse, although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. What makes it work is that the topics are interesting enough to hold reader attention. The descriptions are clear and the transitions between Ethan’s individual experiences and the omniscient universal context are seamless.

Ethan’s story takes precedence in the second half to dramatize the high-risk missions undertaken in a frigidly exotic locale. Missions that highlight human and canine resourcefulness and camaraderie:

“They had no engines. No fuel. No backup. Just wood, rawhide, and the trust between man, dog, and machine.”

Ethan’s affection for and bond with Alaskan Malamutes, whether growing up or during the stress of wartime, is at the heart of this story. No surprise, considering the author’s own connection with this breed. It’s understandable to have its qualities restated, albeit maybe a little more often than needed. Fortunately, this admiration steers clear of sentimentality.

Frozen Frontlines is a war story in which battles are not with other humans but with nature and oneself. The blending of fact and fiction will appeal to anyone who enjoys history not only told but shown in specific action while dog lovers will appreciate the touching relationship with the Malamutes.

Thank you for reading Peter Hassebroek’s book review of Frozen Frontlines by Jeff Knight! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.

The post Book Review: Frozen Frontlines by Jeff Knight appeared first on Independent Book Review.