Very engaging. ( )

I became fan of the author when I read her book[b:An Ocean Of Air: A Natural History Of The Atmosphere|1013145|An Ocean Of Air A Natural History Of The Atmosphere|Gabrielle Walker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356130470s/1013145.jpg|999269]. It was mix of history and science which made a fascinating read. This book also follows a very similar pattern but with one difference. In this book author not only brings out the challenges, adventure,history and importance of research, she also brings out the character of people who choose to spend time in there.

Every researcher she meets, they tell her about the different aspect of living isolated life on the continent and how it can be bearing sometime on the mind. That human touch to the story makes it a real read than dry facts about the continent.

There is fair bit of feminism rants particularly in the beginning of the book and mostly it's justified. But some places, it starts getting tiresome and i feel it was only dull parts of the book.

Overall it's a fantastic book. Many of us look at the sky for wonder and awe. But sometimes we forget the greatest mystery of our planet is under our feet covered in ice. ( )

Excellent overview of the continent, from the earliest explorers to the latest cutting edge science, lots of personal observations also. There's a timeline at the end that repeats the main points in chronological order, which was a good way to summarize. No preaching but no holding back either. A very well balanced book, recommended for anyone interested in the subject, She references many other books and websites for further exploration, First rate. ( )

Walker is one of the better science writers out there at the moment.

She has a passion for the polar regions, and writes about Antarctica with clarity and measured prose. She clearly explains how the effect of climate change is starting to have a noticeable effect at the South Pole. She describes the characters that inhabit the stations, who vary from the reclusive scientist to the people normally on the fringes of society.

Bang up to date, well worth a read. ( )

Interesting, for the more part. Probably a little too long and very repetitive.

Walker goes on and on about how exclusive Antarctica is... so what's she doing there? ( )