|
Antarctica and the Arctic: The Complete Encyclopedia
|
| Price: |
1 new or used available from $155.00
Average customer review:
Product Description
Antarctica has not always been a place of ice and snow. Once part of the supercontinent of Gondwanaland, it is believed to have enjoyed a warmer climate in which plants and land animals thrived. However, nowadays less than one percent of the surface is ice free, and at bedrock level the ice can be up to a million or more years old. In comparison, the Arctic consists entirely of pack-ice which breaks into ice floes in summer and floats on the Arctic Ocean.
While the ice gives rise to spectacular scenery, both on land and sea, these regions also have an astonishing variety of wildlife. The two Poles have few common species (apart from some birds and whales) but many unique endemic ones - polar bears, walruses and puffins in the north, penguins and elephant seals in the south.
The content will cover the following topics, among others:
- Geography and geology Climate and weather Ice, icebergs, glaciers and land formations History and exploration Wildlife and flora - how unique life has evolved in a very harsh environment Polar science - the scientists who live and work in Antarctica, the research bases Icebreaker shipping and tourism Politics and treaties and the interested parties, including the 1988 Minerals Convention The people of the Arctic Conservation and the future (specific Polar issues, such as melting of the ice caps and ozone depletion).
Both regions have long been associated with tales of great heroism in their exploration, and here too there are common links. Roald Amundsen was first to the South Pole and died in a rescue in the north (at that time his ship, the Fram, had been furthest south and furthest north). Frederic Cook, who lodged a false claim to being first to the North Pole, was the first to winter over in Antarctica, as part of a Belgian expedition. Nowadays, tourists can visit in cruise ships and see the almost impossible task the explorers set themselves.
Both areas are of concern ecologically. For several years there has been a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica; one is now opening over the Arctic Circle. Ecologists watch both Antarctica and the Arctic for any signs of change that may have implications for the planet as a whole. They join scientists from all over the world conducting research in these unique conditions.
With interesting and authoritative text written by a team of international experts, accompanied by over a thousand superb photographs, this book will fascinate all with an interest in the Poles and their wildlife.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1054616 in Books
- Published on: 2001-09-01
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 608 pages
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-A comprehensive resource on the polar regions of the world, arranged in broad sections covering geology, geography, plants, birds and animals, exploration (by both early professionals and current tourists), and human life. Within each section, Antarctica is discussed first and then the Arctic. The entertaining text is best understood by students who have had some classes in earth sciences and biology. It is accompanied by a large number of high-quality, full-color photographs and illustrations. These well-captioned graphics and entertaining boxed inserts will attract browsers. Maps locate wildlife, show exploration, and indicate geologic features. The easy-to-use CD is arranged in the same sections and includes the text and many photos from the book. However, at least two photos were used twice and do not relate to the adjacent text. A lengthy list of current Web sites is available in the book and on the CD and will lead students to even more up-to-date information. The one in the book is annotated.
Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Beautifully illustrated with color photographs and maps on every page, this inviting encyclopedia will delight both the eye and the mind. Most of the contributors are specialists in Antarctica, and less than a quarter of the book covers the Arctic. Keeping this focus in mind, readers will find that award-winning travel writer McGonigal and Woodworth, a specialist in genetic diversity who visits Antarctica regularly, have provided an excellent reference. The book covers the environment of the poles, polar geophysics and weather patterns, ecology, wildlife and flora, polar exploration, and working in the polar environments; only substantive information on the polar peoples is excluded. The last section contains additional resources such as the Antarctic Treaty, wildlife conservation status, a vocabulary, a list of museums and research institutes with strong Antarctic collections, and recommended Antarctic links on the web. The user can navigate the text using a table of contents, an index, and a gazetteer, which refers to maps throughout the book. In addition, there is a CD-ROM, which is fully searchable and as beautifully illustrated as the book. This encyclopedia is a good companion to John Stewart's Antarctica: An Encyclopedia (McFarland, 1990), which, although it covers more geographical locations, does not have the depth of this book. But though it contains more recent material on the Arctic, this volume definitely cannot replace other encyclopedias on this region. Recommended for academic libraries and adult collections in public libraries and essential for any library with strong Arctic or Antarctic collections. Betty Galbraith, Owen Science & Engineering Lib., Washington State Univ., Pullman
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The Antarctican Society, January 2002
A FANTASTIC BOOK ... If you only want one Antarctic book in your library, it should be this one.
Customer Reviews
Much more than a "coffee table" book!
This is a beautifully produced and wonderfully comprehensive book. If you want a book which concentrates on wildlife then look elsewhere (eg Antarctic Wildlife by H Shirihai) - better still get both as complementary to each other!
The layout and structure is well conceived, the maps are clear, the photos are always good and often magnificent, the writing is aimed at intelligent readers, the index is good and above all the coverage is all-embracing within its subject. There is a nice section on Antarctic related Web links but, a minor criticism, no Bibliography. As the title indicates it is 90+% about the Antarctic with the Arctic as an "add-on". I was at first a bit negative about the inclusion of the Arctic but have come to the view that it is useful as a comparator - but you wouldn't buy this book for its Arctic content.
AWESOME
I been looking for a whille for a great Antarctica book.
this is by far the best.
wall to wall photos topics on everything explorations,wildlife,marine life, you name it.
spectacular coffee table book dont miss.
it even covers the artic "north pole" also
Excellent book!
I am an Earth Science teacher and I have done research in Antarctica. The book has many wonderful photos and highly informative text about the geologic, oceanographic, atmospheric and biologic features of the polar regions. I recommend this book for anyone interested in these areas, especially teachers.
