Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent [Hardcover]

David McGonigal (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2008

The geology, ecology and biology of the "continent for peace and science."

This comprehensive, fully illustrated and reader-friendly book honors the International Polar Year (2007-08) with a spectacular range of information on Antarctica and the Antarctic Islands, the world's harshest environment.

Antarctica features up-to-date material from an expert team of scientists, expeditioners and historians. Included are more than 600 photographs, illustrations and maps. Among the topics covered are:

• Prehistory of Antarctica
• Geology and geography
• Flora and fauna
• Climate and the nature of ice
• The Antarctic ozone hole
• The explorers
• Current scientific research
• Conservation issues
• The impact of global warming
• The Sub-Antarctic Islands.

Detailed information is found on current issues of land, law and treaties, shipping, resource exploitation, and tourism. Also included are the Antarctic Treaty, a gazetteer and a bibliography.

Front-page news reports cover the relative health of Antarctica. This authoritative book could not be timelier.

(20090415)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Ninety percent of the world’s ice is found in Antarctica. However, the southernmost continent, centered on the South Pole, is more than just ice, as this beautiful new book attests. McGonigal, a travel writer who has made more than 100 trips to the polar regions, coordinated the contributions of a team of writers and scientists to produce what is arguably the best single volume on Antarctica available today. This massive book covers all aspects of the continent, including ecology, geography, wildlife, and exploration. Opening with a description of the polar regions and the science behind why they are cold, and how the Arctic differs from the Antarctic, the text then delves into the geographic regions of Antarctica and their differing ecologies. The land, seas, and ice are home to one of the world’s most famous animals, the penguins, which, along with other wildlife, are the subjects of a long section of the book. Early exploration and the scientific experimentation of today round out the text. Antarctica is the only continent not claimed by a sovereign nation, no wars have ever been fought there, and since 1959 the Antarctic Treaty has expressed that the continent will be used for only peaceful purposes (the full text of the treaty appears in an appendix). Sumptuously illustrated with photos, maps, and paintings, this will be the go-to reference on Antarctica for years to come. A truly superb production. --Nancy Bent

Review

Arguably the best single volume on Antarctica available today....this will be the go-to reference on Antarctica for years to come. (Nancy Bent Booklist 200911)

In typical Firefly Books mode, this volume blazes with stunning photographs and maps.... McGonigal has produced a lovely, up-to-date.... Recommended. (L. S. Zipp, formerly, State University of New York at Geneseo Choice )

Selection, Best Reference Books, 2008 A rich resource about one of the least hospitable but most fascinating parts of the world. (Library Journal, Best Reference Books 2008 )

Beautifully presented, well written and thorough...filled with excellent color and historic photos as well as many maps, charts, and drawings. (Book News, Reference and Research Book News )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (October 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554073987
• ISBN-13: 978-1554073986
• Product Dimensions: 13.2 x 10.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #505,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Antarctica
  • #77 in Books > Travel > Polar Regions > Arctic

More About the Author

David McGonigal was born in Sydney, Australia though has lived around the world, most recently on ships in the polar regions.

After completing Arts and Law degrees (largely majoring in motorcycle road racing) David dropped out of the legal profession to ride around the world and returned to Australia years later as a travel writer/photographer. That career progressed to contributions to magazines and newspapers worldwide, several awards and some fifteen books from "Wilderness Australia" (his first) to a Thai cookbook and adventure guides. On three successive years, assignments took him to all seven continents. He's a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Life Member and Past-President of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.

After his first visit to Antarctica in 1995 he became polar impassioned and worked on projects with Sir Edmund Hillary and others. He led his first Antarctic trip in 1999 and has been back every year since. He has visited the polar regions more than 100 times - often as Expedition Leader. In 1997 he briefly rode in Antarctica and so became the first person ever to motorcycle on seven continents (and through all 24 time zones). He's SCUBA dived, white-water rafted and sailed throughout the world (most memorably through SE Asia, Tahiti and to Cape Horn) and now part-owns a motor sailplane. He has visited Russia and Lapland in winter, travelled the NW and NE Passages, and motorcycled to the top of Alaska and Norway (via Siberia) as well as visited both sides of Antarctica. David was co-author of the 608-page "Antarctica - the Complete Story" and the smaller "Antarctica - The Blue Continent" (now translated into German, Dutch, Estonian, French, Italian, Russian and Japanese) as well as the newish 400-page "Antarctica - Secrets of the Southern Ocean". His photographs have been exhibited around the world.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vicarious Voyage, February 15, 2009

By 

F. J. Masterman "The PlanetCare Discoveries" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent (Hardcover)

In doing research for my fourth novel, I ordered this book to give me a visual 'feel' for the fifth largest continent on Earth. The photography is enthralling, the text accurate and incisive, the spirit unbeatable. I have never been to this 'alien' world on our own world, but found this book an inimitable introduction to Antarctica. I recommend the volume to anyone interested in the wondrous, vast diversity of environments on our planet, and in particular to the awesome reality of a place so different from the lives of most of us that it's almost a fantasy adventure to enter. A great encyclopedic addition to our knowledge of our own planet.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely beautiful encyclopedic work, with stunning photography !, November 11, 2009

By 

R. Neil Scott "Writer, Professor & User Servi... (Murfreesboro, TN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent (Hardcover)

I couldn't help but notice this enormous, beautiful book on the "New Book" truck in our library -- 10-1/2 by 13-1/2 inches, and nearly two inches thick, with a captivatingly beautiful cover photograph, this massive book appears encyclopedic in both its narrative and photographic coverage of Antarctica.

Twenty-four contributors are listed, nearly all of whom hold a Ph.D. Ranging from biologists, oceanographers, meteorologists, and engineering to travel writers and photographers, their specialties range from atmospheric physics, Antarctic law, sea ice and ice sheet science, Antarctic bio-tourism, molecular bacteria, biogeography, the influence of Southern ocean currents on the Earth's climate, Antarctic photography to commanding iceberg breakers and aircraft.

The book is divided into six principal sections: "The End of the Earth"; "Antarctic Regions"; "Antarctic Wildlife"; "Antarctic Exploration"; "Antarctica Today"; and, "Resources." Each section is then subdivided into many more detailed subtopics; for example, for the section titled "Antarctic Wildlife," the reader will find extensive and profusely illustrated articles on "Plants and Invertebrates," further broken down into "Life in the Southern Ocean," Seals,""Eared Seals," "Fur Seals," Sea Lions, " "True Seals," "True Seal Species," and so forth. Thus, the volume is more of an "Encyclopedia of Antarctica" than simply just another nicely produced "coffee-table book."

Highly recommended for public, school and college libraries as well as individuals with an interest in the ecology, geography, wildlife or exploration of Antarctica.

R. Neil Scott
Middle Tennessee State University