Since the first sailing ships spied the Antarctic coastline in 1820; the frozen continent has captured the world's imagination. David Day's brilliant biography of Antarctica describes in fascinating detail every aspect of this vast land's history--two centuries of exploration; scientific investigation; and contentious geopolitics. Drawing from archives from around the world; Day provides a sweeping; large-scale history of Antarctica. Focusing on the dynamic personalities drawn to this unconquered land; the book offers an engaging collective biography of explorers and scientists battling the elements in the most hostile place on earth. We see intrepid sea captains picking their way past icebergs and pushing to the edge of the shifting pack ice; sanguinary sealers and whalers drawn south to exploit "the Penguin El Dorado;" famed nineteenth-century explorers like Scott and Amundson in their highly publicized race to the South Pole; and aviators like Clarence Ellsworth and Richard Byrd; flying over great stretches of undiscovered land. Yet Antarctica is also the story of nations seeking to incorporate the Antarctic into their national narratives and to claim its frozen wastes as their own. As Day shows; in a place as remote as Antarctica; claiming land was not just about seeing a place for the first time; or raising a flag over it; it was about mapping and naming and; more generally; knowing its geographic and natural features. And ultimately; after a little-known decision by FDR to colonize Antarctica; claiming territory meant establishing full-time bases on the White Continent. The end of the Second World War would see one last scramble for polar territory; but the onset of the International Geophysical Year in 1957 would launch a cooperative effort to establish scientific bases across the continent. And with the Antarctic Treaty; science was in the ascendant; and cooperation rather than competition was the new watchword on the ice. Tracing history from the first sighting of land up to the present day; Antarctica is a fascinating exploration of this deeply alluring land and man's struggle to claim it.
#101264 in Books Donald Worster 2011-05-06 2011-05-06Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.10 x 1.50 x 9.20l; 1.30 #File Name: 0199782245544 pagesA Passion for Nature The Life of John Muir
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Great biography that puts Muir's life into historical perspectiveBy Harold W. Wood Jr.This is a historical perspective of john Muir's life. As such; it is not quite as "readable" as some of the earlier biographies of Muir's life; which read much more like an adventure story; as in the case of the Pulitzer prize winning biography by Linnie Marsh Wolfe; which extols Muir's greatness. But if you want to understand better how Muir's life fit in with other things that were happening during his life; t his is the best biography for that. The author is a historian; not a novelist or an environmentalist or a story-teller. So it is a bit more dry than other biographies; but in some ways more thorough. In addition; as well as putting the life of John Muir in context; the author puts quite a bit of his own interpretations into the narrative. This is of interest to those who know something about Muir; whether you agree with him or not; because it can at least provoke discussion. So; as a history book; it is a good book; for audiences with a more scholarly bent. If you are looking for something more exciting to read about Muir's life; there are several earlier biographies that do that; but may not cover Muir's life as thoroughly.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Wandering SonBy BrokenArrowA wonderful biography of a fascinating man; John Muir. The book is rather long (466 pages) but I personally appreciated all the details of Muir's life. Muir was born in Scotland; off to America (Wisconsin) at 11; flight to Canada as a young man (draft dodger during Civil War) and to the Yosemite Valley in the 1870s. Everyone knows he loved the outdoors. He was primarily interested in botany and geology. However; he had great aptitude as a mechanical engineer (inventor). After marriage (he was 41-42) he settled down on a ranch in Martinez; CA and he became an accomplished manager as a grower (citrus; grapes etc). It is interesting to read about some of his influences: The Bible (he had a strict and devout father); Robt Burns; Milton; Wordsworth; Emerson. Emerson referred to Muir as "one of his men" but I do not know if Muir was ever a true transcendentalist. Muir never lost his Christian faith; however he did adapt it. He met Emerson and showed him around the Yosemite Valley. In his later years he was friends with powerful and influential people (T. Roosevelt; Taft; and captains of industry). I enjoyed reading about his talks with the railroader; Harriman. Muir was not a quiet and reserved man. He loved people and he was a great conversationalist. He'd talk to anyone (quite the egalitarian). The book explores the happenings of the late 19th century in America: Philosophies; religion; politics; expansion; business etc are tied in with Muir and the environmental movement. I guess America was the first country to ever set aside lands as national parks. (One of America's best ideas; however; I would place the U.S. Constitution as #1.) As an economics major in college this book led me to compare the interests of conservation vs. business. There is a finite amt of resources in the world and economics deals with how people use and distribute resources. There must be balance. We need water; food; energy etc for a growing world population. Re-newables will not get the job done with current technology. Muir seemed to be a very reasonable man (an intelligent Scot) and I wish we had more environmentalists like him today. He was not extreme and I'd bet he'd see the big picture. I also learned about another interesting naturalist in this book; John Burroughs; and I'd like to learn more about him. One irony is the fact that Muir died alone in Los Angeles. Kind of sad. Worster wrote a very insightful book and if you enjoy biographies (with the details); American history; travel; the outdoors; philosophy etc. I think you will enjoy and appreciate this book. Very well done.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. John Muir is one of my favorite people and Worster has written a very readable biography ...By Joe WardJohn Muir is one of my favorite people and Worster has written a very readable biography of him. This book goes beyond detailing Muir's life; and gives a cultural and political context to events that impacted Muir and were in turn effected by Muir's environmental activism. We get Muir the inventor; Muir the farmer and Muir the husband and father; not just Muir the naturalist; mountaineer and environmentalist we're familiar with. Overall; this book is a joy to read.
