Introduction: Once upon a time in the North -- Prologue: The Arctic Ocean, May 25, 1928 -- "You are supposed to be dead" -- "There is no room for Prima Donnas in the Italian Air Force" -- "Do you know where Amundsen is?" -- "She would be there to inform on us" -- "The most sensational sporting event in human history" -- "Let him go, for he cannot possibly come back to bother us anymore" -- "We are quite aware that our venture is difficult and dangerous . . . but it is this very difficulty and danger which attracts us" -- "God Save Us!" -- "We will die when God has decided" -- "Do you as you like, but I am going looking for Nobile" -- "Woman joins Arctic search" -- "When I die you can eat me, but not before" -- "Down with Nobile! Death to Nobile!" -- "This is real exploring despite the luxury" -- Epilogue: The Kremlin, Moscow, 1933.