Product Description

While the Arctic and the Antarctic are thought by some to be similar, they are as unlike as Kansas and Kenya. In this beautifully photographic tour of the regions, Galen Rowell uses his camera to reveal the fascinating differences in these polar opposites. "A dazzling geography lesson."--Wall Street Journal. 188 color plates. 2 maps.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1014057 in Books
• Published on: 1997-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

From Library Journal
Rowell is a winner of an Ansel Adams Award for wilderness photography with many books and articles to his name, including Vision (LJ 11/1/93) and The Art of Adventure (LJ 11/15/89). In this volume, he offers parallel visual portraits of the North and South Poles. Part 1 presents side-by-side photos of the Arctic and Antarctic on facing pages, allowing readers to get a comparative view of the two regions. Part 2 consists of two-page features with brief text and photographs to illustrate science, travel, people, islands, etc. Part 3 has one- to two-paragraph essays with background and camera settings for each photograph. Alistair Fothergill's A Naural History of the Antarctic (LJ 8/95) has equally attractive photography but only of the Antarctic. No other publication reveals so graphically these parallel but dissimilar regions. In Rowell's words, they are as "unalike as Kansas and Kenya." Especially recommended for natural history and photography collections.
Jean E. Crampon, Hancock Biology & Oceanography Lib, Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"A cross between Sir Edmund Hillary and Ansel Adams, Rowell has become a cult figure to climbers and photographers alike."--Margot Dougherty, "People Weekly

From the Inside Flap
"Galen Rowell has a wonderful combination of qualities--eye, energy, intelligence, sensitivity, courage both physical and moral, and above all, heart. Very seldom have I experienced so clearly defined the connection between the artist and what he sees, feels, and does with the work itself."--Robert Redford

Customer Reviews

Experience the stunning beauty of the Earth's poles!
This is much more than a coffee table book, though its unique photographs of the pristine beauty of the Arctic and Antarctic would impress even the most casual of browsers. A short story about each photo is included, along with more general, thoughtful and poignant commentary from someone that is truly in touch with the global environment. Rowell is one of the great nature photographers, and this is a stunning collection

GREENLAND REVISTED THROUGH A LITTLE DANE'S EYES.
Turning to page 74, my Danish-born wife, Aino, was amazed to discover her little town of Scoresbysund. She spent her fomative years(age 5-12)growing up there, where her father, Dr. Werner Mortensen, served as the sole doctor for the area of 3 villages.

Galen Rowell's photography captures the typical beauty of a Scandinavian mileau, even though it is truly a facade for the garbage that the typical native Greenlander casts no further than his front door!

His words portray the many problems of the native Inuits, who have been unable to adapt to the influence of Danish culture and progress. For Rowell to elaborate on the problems of alcholism, violent crime, and the high rate of suicide in a village of only 500, distinguishes him as an author that researchs his subjects quite well! It brought back memories for my wife of the "Grundlander" that beat his wife with the carcass of a frozen seal, only to have his wife bite of his ear.

The large yellow building in the left foreground is the eight bed hospital; the little red house with white trimmed windows that is over to the immediate left is where family Mortensen grew up from 1966-72. This book really takes my wife back,and helps me see things that were only in her mind's eye. It also brings her up to the what the present day Scoresbysund has become. And now that my family will be moving to Fairbanks,Alaska, my wife can get a sneak preview of our future from this marvelous book. Having lived in Alaska myself, I definitely recommend this book for its shear splendid photography and candid commentary. Great job Galen!

A MUST-HAVE picture volume
Wow, what a great and such awesome picture volume. This book not only shows you pictures from the Arctic and the Antarctic, it particularly reveals the true differences between the two polar regions...they ARE truly different and fascinating! This book also delivers very-high quality photography, which can easily tempt you into travelling to such exotic destinations.

In the book, you will find 2 pictures side by side-one showing the Arctic, the other showing Antarctic. That way, you will get an idea of its differences. In addition, there is a separate chapter that dedicates to interesting stories regarding these regions, anything from life in Siberia, Inuit life in northern Alaska, to the South Georgia Islands & the South Pole. Last, but not least, there is also a whole section reviewing all the pictures showed in the book, including background information describing each photo, etc.

This is truly an amazing picture volume that is a MUST-HAVE for any polar fanatic. Get prepared for over 180 pages of some superb photography and much info on these fantastic regions. For the money, it was quite worth it...