Italia was a semi-rigid airship that was property of the Italian Air Force. This airship participated in a scientific expedition to the North Pole, under the leadership of General Umberto Nobile. The airship departed on April 15, 1928, facing several instances of bad weather and some delays. After participating in the North Pole mission, the airship planned to return home but suffered some serious failures that ultimately led to it crashing. Several crew members died from the initial crash and exposure while waiting for rescue. This book outlines the construction of the airship, the mission, and goes into considerable detail about the circumstances surrounding the crash and the subsequent rescue efforts. I found the book to be decently informative and engaging enough to keep me reading.