Customer Reviews

Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent

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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.

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