If this is the only book you expect to ever read about the mummified Neolithic corpse found in the ice in 1991 then buy it. It is worth reading for the excellent and detailed description of the equipment which belonged to this long dead being. If, however, you have watched the PBS show on ice mummies or read some of the monographs on the subject on the Net, you realize that much of Spindler's book is baseless conjecture and that he omits important medical data. Bottom line: when a really excellent and definitive volume on the Ice Man is written this book will be relegated to the out of print section of Amazon books. I felt hungry and dissatisfied when I finished this book which, by the way, took me two hours to read. It is very light reading.

Konrad Spindler should know what he is talking about. After all, he was in charge of the high-profile, no expense spared, scientific investigation of the fantastically fortuituous find of "the Iceman," found beneath a receeding glacier in the Austrian Alps in 1991.

Imagine you are Konrad Spindler(the author). An accomplished archaeologist, you are settling down to normal duties on an otherwise uneventful morning in a modest academic institution, you receive a call to view an "unusual corpse" found recently in the mountains, and then, after viewing a smorgasboard of 4,000 year old implements on a table in near pristine (for archaeologists) condition, and a full, well-preserved body of a long-dead ancient European, and saying coyley, in front of a few sceptical onlookers, "at least 4,000 years old, maybe older." The media, quite rightly, hit the roof with excitement, as did the university administration, the police, journalists from all over the world, tourists and the like. And, just as amazing as any of the events that transpired, necessary equipment for your department was delivered promptly, security of site and items was attained promptly and without argument, funding for research was granted immediately, and well trained archaeologists, scientists and faithful historians embarked on a well-funded, well-orchestrated, (if not well prepared) investigation into the "man in the ice," and his secrets. The stuff science is made of.

This is that story, faithully told by that archeologist, Konrad Spindler. It is excitingly and humurously written, and thoughtfully analyzed. The iceman had (has!) many secrets to tell, there was indeed many items and implemements that were recovered on his person, or nearby, from a time in European history (pre-Roman, pre-Greek, pre just about everybody), in which we had very little information at all. One item for example, a copper axe, is the only item of its kind from this time which survives to this day. And there are many other implements he was carrying, perhaps undertaking a long journey over the mountains? -- (which you will have to read for yourself).

A fascinating and insightful story of modern science, adventure and archaeology at its best. Described as arguably the archaeological find of the century, a must read for the interested layperson and scientist alike.

I was in college when Otzi was found, and I didn't have time to read up on the excavation, so this book was a welcome surprise for me one day when I was browsing the science section of my local bookstore. Sensitive, yet scholarly, Spindler recounts his experience in fascinating detail while preserving the unfortunate man's dignity. Although translated from the original German, Spindler's profound respect and professionalism show through, particularly in his description of the state of the body and of the controversy and rumors surrounding the genitalia. I found the whole book to be well-organized, divided into six sections describing the discovery, the equipment,the clothing, the body, background information on the region and neolithic culture, and "public reactions to the find". I disagree with a previous reviewer's complaint about Spindler's "conjecture"; of course it is, since there are no written records from 5000 years ago. However, all of his speculation about the Iceman's occupation, etc. seems to be soundly based on what we DO know about anthropology, the region's history, flora and fauna, technology of the time, and previous finds from similar cultures. Also, don't let the metric measurements ruin your enjoyment of the book; many rulers now have English and metric measurements on opposite sides, providing for easy comparison. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about the Iceman.