Customer Reviews

Antarctica: Life on the Ice (Travelers' Tales Guides)

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I just finished reading this collection, and it's incredible. The stories range from the hilarious to the melancholy to the deeply moving. All set in a landscape almost impossible to imagine, the tales bring to life the vast desert of the Antarctic and make the reader feel as if she's been there -- not only because of the vividness of the setting, but also because of the vividness of the emotions evoked by the setting. I'll admit, I'm no adventurer, but this book makes me want to visit the Antarctic. Really worth the read.

I lived and worked in McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for a few seasons. Reading the Traveler's Tales chosen by Fox-Rogers was mesmerizing. She chose a set of amazing stories that both entertain and educate. If you want an authenic taste of "life on the Ice"...read this book.

As an engineer who has worked in Antarctica many times and wintered over three times, I find this book rings very true. The incidents and places are authentic, as are the characters, including the slightly oddball characters who are attracted to a professsional "Life on the Ice". You won't get a complete view of Antarctica from this book, but you will read some delightful vignettes which illuminate life in this modern day other-worldly place. The final essay by Guy Gutheridge is especially good: here is the view of a man who has had more to do than any other with what has been written about Antarctica in the last four decades.

This is an excellent anthology of essays about life on the Ice...chickens raining on McMurdo was laugh-out-loud hilarious and the story of the guy lost in a whiteout (and while in town, no less) was gripping. This is a great book for those who dream of being more than a tourist in Antarctica but aren't either scientists on a grant or writers/artists who the NSF will accept into their program, which is how most of these books get written. If I were young and strong and determined enough to get there by taking a scut job with Raytheon I would write one of these myself.

Current astronomical studies have revealed the harsh, bizarre nature of other planets in our solar system and their many moons. Oftentimes these alien worlds hold yield awesome scenes of inhospitable desolation, especially in contrast to our own beautiful planet. However, the fact is that Earth itself possesses one of the most astounding and frightening regions one might imagine. Such a place is our fifth-largest continent. In doing research for a book in my PlanetCare Series which may take place in Antarctica, I obtained a copy of Susan Fox Rogers' book. This superb collection of twenty essays contains the real-life experiences of persons who have braved the harsh world of Antarctica. From a variety of viewpoints, an image arises of an overwhelmingly beautiful and yet often terrifying place, which nevertheless grips the fascination of a host of people, who wish to work there in our American research station. It is far more than the usual travel book, and gives the reader an emotional understanding of Antarctica, as well as great amounts of well-presented information on the ice world. To understand the complex nature of Earth, this book is a must.

What's it like to live and work in Antarctica? The next best thing to going there is the collection Antarctica: Life on the Ice, which explores the challenges of living in Antarctica. Essays from some twenty writers offer insights into challenges, ironies, and even funny tales of life in the region, contributed by those who chose to live and work there. It's a lively armchair read perfect for any general-interest library strong on adventure travel.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I purchased this book for a college course and I loved reading it. The book is composed of a number of short stories/essays from real people who lived in Antarctica. The stories were fascinating to read and I think anyone who reads it would also love it.

The book itself came in good condition (probably better than expected) and on time as promised.

I actually bought this book to help aquaint my kids with Antarctica, but it is not a kid friendly book. Some language and scenarios are adult and so this did not suit my purpose. The stories are also a bit long and drawn out.