At the Ends of the Earth: A History of the Polar Regions

In this slim volume of some two hundred and forty-one pages, Kieran Mulvaney has successfully melded historical documentation,traditional narratives, environmental concerns and global policyissues. There are those who will quibble that such a range of subject matter cannot be meaningfully covered in such a spare package; however, what Mulvaney has achieved by deliberately opting for the streamlined shark rather than the weightier sperm whale is to produce a work which enables direct juxtaposition of Arctic and Antarctic characteristics and issues and to do so in an accessible and eminently readable fashion. As one who has spent some time in the Arctic and has read widelyon northern exploration and development, I welcome this text which permits me to experience, however vicariously, the "other" end of the earth. For people who enjoy reading about the environment brought to life by historical and political insights or enjoy reading history quickened by their relationship to todays ecological and political issues, this is a book which they will find both refreshing and informative.

Polar literature is exploding, seems like every week there is another book out about struggles to reach the poles, or simply struggles to cross and chart the fragile yet savage lands at the ends of the earth. Many of these books make for fine reading, but most of then simply tell the tale. Kieran Mulvaney's "At the Ends of the Earth" makes the effort to look at what happens to some special places after they are discovered and mapped. Unfortunately this isn't always a pretty picture. As someone who has spent a great deal of time in some of the northern reaches of North America, and who dreams of Antarctica I greatly enjoyed the kernals of information Kieran includes. He does an excellent job of finding and highlighting some little know events in polar exploration and development. This book makes a fine addition to any library of polar science and discovery, right along side "The Mystery of the Ice," and "The Quiet Margin of the World."