Antarctica: Secrets of the Southern Continent
*Starred Review* Ninety percent of the world’s ice is found in Antarctica. However, the southernmost continent, centered on the South Pole, is more than just ice, as this beautiful new book attests. McGonigal, a travel writer who has made more than 100 trips to the polar regions, coordinated the contributions of a team of writers and scientists to produce what is arguably the best single volume on Antarctica available today. This massive book covers all aspects of the continent, including ecology, geography, wildlife, and exploration. Opening with a description of the polar regions and the science behind why they are cold, and how the Arctic differs from the Antarctic, the text then delves into the geographic regions of Antarctica and their differing ecologies. The land, seas, and ice are home to one of the world’s most famous animals, the penguins, which, along with other wildlife, are the subjects of a long section of the book. Early exploration and the scientific experimentation of today round out the text. Antarctica is the only continent not claimed by a sovereign nation, no wars have ever been fought there, and since 1959 the Antarctic Treaty has expressed that the continent will be used for only peaceful purposes (the full text of the treaty appears in an appendix). Sumptuously illustrated with photos, maps, and paintings, this will be the go-to reference on Antarctica for years to come. A truly superb production. --Nancy Bent