It is the coldest, windiest, driest place on earth, an icy desert of unearthly beauty and stubborn impenetrability. For centuries, Antarctica has c...
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reviews
Jun 21, 2009
Ginevra
rated it: 
This book is a fascinating account of life on Antarctica, and the allure that the continent has had on previous generations. This is primarily a travelogue, but does describe the early exploration of Anatarctica and some of the current research efforts. In the first part of the book, Sara describes in an abundance of detail the characters she meets and daily activities on several research bases. It seems a bit long-winded, but at the same time, I thought it was indicative of the landscape. M
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Aug 27, 2011
Allyson
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I love, and loved everything about this book, from the cover which is incredible to the pages within.
I read it about 10 years ago, well after it was written and it held up and even expanded upon a second read. How it existed in my memory was simply an essence, a whisp of it's feel and to revisit that sensation and have it enlarged upon was a true treat.
This book is incredibly personal and the language and reflections so exceptional I want to give it to all of my closest friends and fa More...
I read it about 10 years ago, well after it was written and it held up and even expanded upon a second read. How it existed in my memory was simply an essence, a whisp of it's feel and to revisit that sensation and have it enlarged upon was a true treat.
This book is incredibly personal and the language and reflections so exceptional I want to give it to all of my closest friends and fa More...
Feb 28, 2009
Yofish
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British woman writing about Antarctica. Maybe a little longer than it needs to be. She intersperses stories about the 'original' explorers (especially the big four: Amundsen, Scott, Shackleton, and Mawson) with her own experiences. Apparently she's been a little obsessed with it for a while, and she arranges to spend some time there as a (relatively rare) resident writer. Most current 'inhabitants' are scientists ("beakers") of various nationalities---more New Zealanders than you m
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Nov 24, 2011
Stacy
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I really enjoyed reading abaout Sara Wheeler's adventures in Antarctica. Sara is writer from England who had a fascination with Antarctica and was able to get herself signed up in the Arts and Literature Program on the American base in the South Pole. Her writing is insightful and at times comical. Along with her day to day experiences traveling around the pole and visiting with various outposts of different countries, Wheeler recounts the stories of the early pole explorers that I found even
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Jul 01, 2009
Jocelyn
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Young British travel writer spends the better part of a year in Antarctica. Her narrative shifts back and forth from her present to Antartic history, so that at first I felt yanked around. But overall I "really liked" this book, with its vivid descriptions of otherworldly terrain, fauna, and human beings. The human population is quite diverse in terms of nationalities, but quite homogeneous in terms of age, gender, and occupation. This is because you can't go to Antartica unless you ar
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Feb 08, 2012
Ambur
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I really liked Terra Incognita. Sara Wheeler is hilarious, and I loved the little bits of humour that she interspersed throughout her narrative. Plus, I loved Seismic Man...it was like a bit of a love story interwoven into the first part of the book...he was sorely missed by me in the rest of it. :P
Anyway, after reading this one, I'm definitely tempted to start planning my trip to Antarctica, it'd be a great place to spend my winters....since it's warmer there then in Canada at the tim More...
Anyway, after reading this one, I'm definitely tempted to start planning my trip to Antarctica, it'd be a great place to spend my winters....since it's warmer there then in Canada at the tim More...
Jun 08, 2009
Simon
rated it: 
Once in a while a person accidentally stumbles on an especially annoying book. One written particularly because a desperate publisher made a phone call, or mailed a letter with a check to an author with the words: "It's time to write another one, Shirley..." and the author hurled herself to write, without a plan, without ideas and the only thing that came out was a dull diary filled with self pity, anti-Americanism, sexism and generally criticism... Well, this is one of those books and
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Jan 11, 2011
Jen
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Summary from the back of the book: "It is the coldest, windiest, driest place on earth, an icy desert of unearthly beauty and stubborn impenetrability. For centuries, Antarctica has captured the imagination of our greatest scientists and explorers, lingering in the spirit long after their return. Shackleton called it "the last great journey"; for Apsley Cherry-Garrard it was the worst journey in the world. This is a book about the call of the wild and the response of the spirit
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Dec 16, 2009
Warnie B.
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Sometimes beautiful, sometimes a little tedious, but mostly a great read, especially (as has been noted by others) the last third, which takes place in winter. Up until that point, Wheeler's vignettes sometimes seem a little scattered, which perhaps makes sense, as she seems to spend her time flying from one camp to the next, never spending too much time in one place or with the same people. It's interesting to get a feel for the differences between camps there, about the types of people who end
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Nov 02, 2010
Susan
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Read this book for Southwest evening book group - interesting account by an English travel writer. Having seen a couple of films on PBS about English polar explorers Scott (who died on the ice) and Shackleton (who rescued his stranded "Endurance" crew in an unbelievable adventure), reading about actually living and working in the Antarctic was enjoyable. Some of her writing describing the people she encountered was annoying -- a little too "precious" for my taste. But her
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Dec 27, 2007
Debbie
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Sara Wheeler went to Antarctica as part of the American National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists' and Writers' Program, and found herself virtually the only creative type in a boys' club of Beards (scientists). She hopped all over the continent in a variety of planes and helicopters, learnt survival and other skills, and generally had a great time.
This is an engaging, informative book by a writer who is as capable of poking fun of herself as at everyone else. Even when she's More...
This is an engaging, informative book by a writer who is as capable of poking fun of herself as at everyone else. Even when she's More...
Aug 16, 2010
Amanda
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As a writer in Antarctica Wheeler had the ability to travel to much of the continent's significant locations. Her story was as much about her own travels as about the explorers that came before her. In this I learned a great deal about their lives. Wheeler also did a magnificent job of conveying how the trip changed her, from the physical feats to the emotional aspects. I garnered a new appreciation for those that trek to the South Pole.
Jan 17, 2009
Jackie
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Sara Wheeler, a writer, is asked to make a written report on the happenings, research, etc. in the Antarctica. Interesting descriptions of life in research communities of the various countries with stations in the Antarctica, including the effect of living in such a hostile environment, and her personal experiences.
Nov 27, 2011
Dan
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A British writer traipses Antarctica, but it's really her inner journey that counts (!). A little shallow, since she is mostly writing about fairly short encounters with others. I liked best where she gets her own hut on the ice with a painter, and does a bit on her own.
Apr 01, 2010
Miriam
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Sara Wheeler is my kind of traveller. She gets off the beaten path and goes to great length to experience a place and then describe it. This book has quite a bit of history of Antartic exploration which I didn't enjoy as much. Some parts were tedious. No as good as Thin Country.
Jun 07, 2011
erin
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I recommend this book often, but can never remember what it's called or who the author is. But by saving it here, maybe I'll remember?
I'm not usually a fan of travel books, but this book blew me away.
I'm not usually a fan of travel books, but this book blew me away.
Sep 07, 2009
Megan
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Of modern Antarctic travelogues, this is probably my favourite and the one I would most recommend. Yet, the author appears to be searching for something and there is no satisfying resolution really in place.
Sep 19, 2010
Virginia
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I LOVE THIS BOOK.
One of my favorites, ever. Since I read this in 2006, I have read it twice more, and referenced it numerous times.
One of my favorites, ever. Since I read this in 2006, I have read it twice more, and referenced it numerous times.
Sep 07, 2009
Wendy
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Loved it! The excellent descriptions in this travelogue made me feel like I actually was there. Now I don't have to go to Antarctica!
Dec 17, 2009
Steve
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Beautiful, desolate, remarkable, harsh -- Antarctica is the last place on earth you'd expect to support a tourist industry, but it does. Sara Wheeler didn't just visit, though, she LIVED there for a year -- and you could say that it destroyed her life. The Ice has a nearly hypnotic pull, and those who have lived at the bottom of the world through the long polar winter can't seem to keep themselves away. Maybe it's because everything is so harsh and stark and simple.
A classic travelog More...
A classic travelog More...
Apr 01, 2011
katen
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I really enjoyed this highly personal account of being in anarctica in the late 1990's
Jun 12, 2009
Bird Brian
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Author Sara Wheeler spends a season in Antarctica on a NEA writer's grant. Most of her time is spent at remote weather stations and scientific installations with the few rugged men (mostly) who make their living here. It is an interesting look at a world most of us will never see. In addition to the hostile weather, social isolation and depression are also serious challenges. If your job is taking you to the bottom of the world, this may be a good book to prepare you. If you are going as a touri
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Apr 07, 2010
Carolyn
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I learned that the Americans at McMurdo Base in Antarctica are much more fun than the Brits at Rothera research station. The Italians have a pretty good time there too, and they know how to eat especially well there. A great book to read about what is going on at the research bases, and inforamtion about some of the early discoveries. Even though its been over ten years, I think it probably gives an accurate picture. Opened my eyes to the wonderment of Antactica, made me crazy for penguins all
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Mar 03, 2008
Kelly
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The author weaves together the history of the exploration of Antarctica, her own travels there, and stories of the current science (and scientists) at work there. For a while after reading this book, I was fascinated by the race for the pole, and even now, I credit the book for moving Antarctica up my list of places to visit.
Sep 14, 2011
Sarah
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Fantastic. Makes me want to visit so much, I actually looked into the grant program that sent her there. Sadly, the program's been archived. Time to save up for a trip myself.
