The Storied Ice: Exploration, Discovery, and Adventure in Antarctica's Peninsula Region

by Joan N. Boothe

''The Storied Exploration, Discovery, and Adventure in Antarctica's Peninsula Region'' recounts mankind's dramatic history from Magellan through the first years of the twenty-first century in the part of the Antarctic regions below South America and the Atlantic Ocean. This part of the world, by far the most visited portion of the south polar regions, is not only a place of staggering scenic beauty and amazing wildlife, but also a locale with a long and fascinating human history. Several expeditions to Antarctica's Peninsula Region are well known, in particular, the amazing story of Ernest Shackleton's ''Endurance'' expedition. ''The Storied Ice'' dramatically retells that story, along with many other less familiar, but fascinating, adventures tales of early explorers, sealers, whalers, seven expeditions (including ''Endurance'') during Antarctica's 1897-1917 Heroic Age, pioneer aviators, and scientists. . . . All this is woven together into a coherent whole, placing the individually exciting tales in a historical context that breathes new life into even the best known of them. Abundant quotes from the explorers' accounts enrich the text, as do the nearly 100 illustrations and more than 30 maps. ''The Storied Ice'' is unique in the rich literature on Antarctica, the only modern comprehensive Antarctic history work that both focuses specifically on the historically exciting Antarctic Peninsula and tells its complete story.

Genres: History

373 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

History of the Antarctic peninsula from 1500 to the 21st century. I especially enjoyed accounts of the lesser known (to me at least) expeditions. The wholesale slaughter of beautiful animals for their fur or blubber was sickening. Without regulations and conservation what will happen? The accounts of enormous oil spills in the Antarctic were briefly touched upon. The desire to exploit oil and minerals in Antarctica is sure to be the next fight between conservationists and multinational corporations. But in spite of everything the majority of the book took the reader through the years of exploration —-very exciting!

[John Crippen · Rating 3 out of 5]

One great story after another! I particularly enjoyed the history up through the 1920s. The last third of the book covered more modern exploration expeditions that sort of seemed like cheating (planes, radios, helicopters, snowmobiles...come on!). You can tell the author loves the region, has researched it extensively, and has spent a lot of time there. If you're planning a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, I would highly recommend reading this book beforehand, so you'll appreciate the amazing things that happened there. Reading it after visiting Antarctica may well make you want to go back!

[Mallory Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely lil summary of nearly every expedition that has gone to antarctica