This week, we just start reading a book which was written by Mark Kurlansky called "Frozen in Time". Unlike any other books we have read before, it is not a fiction or novel. It is a nonfiction which tells life stories about a famous man called Clarence Birdseye.
Clarence Birdseye is an American inventor and is considered to be the founder of the frozen food industry. He is bored in Brooklyn, New York. He went to the Amherst University in Massachusetts, but because of the lack of money, he dropped school. He is very abnormal compares to other children at his age. He is very curious about animals, insects and everything else in the nature. He has been called "bug" when he was young. However, he believes that only learning to get used to the mockery can bring him to success. He shows his astonishing talents in science and business. He love new things. He is always looking for adventures and feels never will get enough of it. One thing that really interests me about Clarence Birdseye is his action of going to Labrador.
Labrador is one of the most undeveloped place in the world. It actually is a Frozen land where Eskimos live. Clarence Birdseye is invited to spend six weeks along the Labrador coast. He is very willing to accept the invitation and immediately go there without any hesitating. There, he sees a big opportunity of both science and economy. A successful fox farm had been established in Labrador. High prices have been paid for live foxes. Clarence Birdseye then starts to observe foxes and do reaserch on it. Although it's unimaginably cold in Labrador, he dose not choose to quit. He keeps writing journals to record his life and observations and he says that he gets used to frostbite just like mosquito bites. He misses his family a lot and often sends them letters but he still stays in Labrador.
If I am him, I will never accept the invitation and go to Labrador. First, I hate being cold. I can not even stand the winter in Connecticut. So I can not imagine what -40 degrees Fahrenheit will be like. Second, I will never leave my family and go to such a dangerous place like that. He also has family but he chooses to take the risk of sacrificing his life to explore the frozen land. Has he ever thought about what his family will do if he dies? I don't think so. He is obsessed with adventures.
Another thing that surprises me about Clarence Birdseye is that he actually builds a home in Labrador. He brings his wife and his first child Kellogg there. I think only himself to take the risk is enough, but he brings his whole family there. This is one thing I will never do. I will not move to such a strange place with my whole family. To most of people, they see this action as suffering but to Clarence Birdseye, it's a joy. If I am him, I will stays where I am with my family and look for job opportunities in my city.
However, I think it is his bravery, love of adventures and being himself bring him success in his life. He is always looking for new things and do things that others never notice or dare to do. I think this is what makes him famous and a inventor.
