Anderson, Alun.  After the ice: life, death, and geopolitics in the new Arctic.  Smithsonian Books, 2009.  208p bibl index; ISBN 9780061579073, $26.99. Reviewed in 2010sep CHOICE.
48-0279  GE160  2009-25823 CIP

The goal of this book is to present an analysis and synthesis of the probable impacts of current climate change in the Arctic. In particular, this involves a drastic reduction in both the area and thickness of the sea ice; such changes affect the inhabitants of the Arctic, including humans, as well as raise a number of important geopolitical and economic issues. Anderson is a biologist by training with considerable experience in the Arctic and in editing scientific literature. His 17-chapter book is divided into six main sections: “People,” “Ice,” “Borders,” “Animals,” “Oil and Ships,” and “Finale.” The decreasing amount of sea ice (discussed in chapters 4-6) has raised the possibility that commercial vessels could transit the Arctic and link the Pacific and Atlantic oceans; this raises the question of ownership of the Arctic (addressed in chapters 7-8) and the dangers of shipping (chapter 14). The reduction in sea ice also increases the prospects of drilling for oil (chapters 12-13). This clearly written work raises in a single source many critical problems about the future of the Arctic. Includes 38 pages of reference materials and a small number of black-and-white maps. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates and general readers. — J. T. Andrews, University of Colorado at Boulder 

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, ed. by Mathew T. Cogwell.  Nova Science, 2002.  150p index ISBN 1-59033-327-6, $69.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2003may CHOICE.
40-5211  KFA1653  2002-70313 MARC
 
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), established in 1960, is a 19 million-acre pristine Arctic ecosystem. Its 1.5-million acre coastal plain is home to a wide diversity of wildlife ranging from caribou to migratory wetland wildlife; it is also a region of high oil potential. Since its establishment, ANWR has been the subject of a bitter energy debate that has grown more intense during the past several sessions of Congress. Public debate by politicians and the media is distorted by a lack of information necessary for intelligent discussion. This book is the answer to that problem. Three chapters provide background and basic material for analyzing possibilities and implications of emerging options. The lengthy chapter 1, an excellent summary of the environmental, economic, legal, management, and national energy concerns, provides basic material for analyzing proposals and ideas about whether to drill in ANWR. Chapter 2 analyzes the major legislative issues, and chapter 3 reviews the most frequent legal issues related to the proposed drilling. This unbiased “just the facts” book is an essential and accessible reference for an understanding of the environmental, legal, and political problems surrounding ANWR. Summing Up: Essential. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through professionals. — R. L. Smith, West Virginia University 

Arctic Portal.  Internet Resource.  Reviewed in 2011Oct CHOICE.
49-0864
http://arcticportal.org/

[Visited Jul’11]  A project of the Arctic Council in collaboration with the International Polar Year, Arctic Portal is intended to provide a Web presence and to synthesize information, issues, and online resources for as many groups and nations with Arctic interests as possible.  The developers also collect and provide access to documents, videos, and other media relating to the Arctic.  A noteworthy feature of the site is the Interactive Data Map, which allows the user to overlay a map of the Arctic with biological, geographical, ecological, political, economic, and many other types of information in graphical format.  The Portlets section provides access to smaller portals on such topics as Arctic Shipping, Energy, Sea Ice, and Fishing.  From the menu at the top of the home page, special access is provided to Arctic science issues, organizations, peoples of the Arctic, and Arctic projects.  The search engine includes an advanced search option, which provides a number of ways to limit search queries.  The site is current, with updates from the same month this reviewer viewed it.  Related links are provided in a searchable database, with an abstract and keywords provided for each Web site linked.  This reviewer found no dead links and all pages loaded reasonably quickly.  This is an excellent source of information for anyone doing research on the Arctic.  The interactive map, the videos, and the other media should be especially interesting to students.  Summing Up: Highly recommended.  All readers. — A. C. Prendergast,  University of South Alabama

The Biology of polar regions, by David N. Thomas et al.  Oxford, 2008.  394p bibl index afp; ISBN 9780199298112 pbk, $130.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2008nov CHOICE.
46-1454  QH541  2007-47118 CIP

This book by Thomas (Bangor Univ., UK) and eight other authors is a revision of G. E. Fogg’s Biology of Polar Habitats (1998). The extensive revision, warranting a separate publication, is a reflection of the rapid pace of scientific exploration in polar regions. Although, as the title implies, it is a biological treatise, detailed attention is devoted to the physical basis of high latitudes: terrestrial, atmospheric, and oceanographic. The coverage is excellent, including the latest research on marine and terrestrial life. The presentation meets Oxford’s highest standards. There are numerous maps, diagrams, graphs, and photographs, including eight pages of color, ranging from microscopic images, to landscapes, to plant and animal species. The final chapters of the book present a geological perspective of climatic change in polar regions, assess the impact of human activities, and provide salient conclusions. The authors draw valuable comparisons and contrasts between the Arctic and Antarctic. The book provides a good list of further readings, including journals and Web resources, and an impressive list of references. The Biology of Polar Regions is an authoritative and major contribution for all those interested in these extreme environments and their reactions to global change. Summing Up: Essential. Lower-division undergraduate through professional collections. — J. D. Ives, emeritus, Carleton University 

Blix, Arnoldus Schytte.  Arctic animals and their adaptations to life on the edge.  Tapir Academic, 2005.  296p bibl index ISBN 8251920507, $63.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2006mar CHOICE.
43-4022  QL105   MARC

This book is an exemplar for others treating life in different regions of the Earth. Written and illustrated with great clarity and expertise, this work covers an amazing range of topics and an Arctic taxonomic spectrum from invertebrates to mammals. The treatment of the various groups or species crosses the boundaries of ecology, biogeography, anatomy, and physiology, reflecting the erudition and synthetic ability of author Blix (Univ. of Tromso, Norway). Whether the issue is bird migrations, Arctic hydrology, freeze tolerance, heat stress, or seasonal changes in fat distribution (or other arcane but well-explained subjects in physiology–the topics go on and on), readers are likely to find answers or connections to other related subjects. The book is eminently readable–accessible to the whole range from college (or even high school) beginners to professional biologists. Perfectly suited as a textbook on Arctic biology, it is also an essential introduction and reference to virtually all zoological topics related to cold-adapted forms. Blix provides both bibliographic references and suggestions for further reading, along with an outline classification. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. — F. S. Szalay, University of New Mexico 

Emmerson, Charles.  The future history of the Arctic.  PublicAffairs, 2010.  405p bibl index; ISBN 9781586486365, $28.95. Reviewed in 2010oct CHOICE.
48-1021  G606  2009-35094 CIP
 
Emmerson, geopolitical specialist and former head of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Network, sees the Arctic as an emerging focal point of world interest and political maneuvering. He divides his book into five sections. “Visions” looks at the view of the Arctic over time and suggests that all things Arctic are changing and must change, with global warming, increased resource extraction, and political aspirations turning northward. “Power” looks at the history of national expansion into the Arctic, the current goals of controlling the resources, and the potential of new transportation routes opening across the Arctic. Emmerson considers a future not only of national political maneuvering, but also of possible military competition. “Nature” looks at climate warming and the impacts it will have on wildlife, people, and the geopolitical arena. “Riches” focuses on the vast natural resources of the Arctic and who will control them. “Freedom” looks at the smaller Arctic nations as they progress toward taking control of their resources and political futures. This excellent book is important for all libraries with adult readership interested in the Arctic or the political future of the world. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers, undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and researchers. — B. Galbraith, Washington State University 

Encyclopedia of the Antarctic, ed. by Beau Riffenburgh.  Routledge, 2007.  2v bibl index afp ISBN 0-415-97024-5, $375.00; ISBN 9780415970242, $375.00. Reviewed in 2007oct CHOICE.
45-0618  G855  2006-31326 MARC
 
Featuring the contributions of more than 300 prominent scholars and experts, this encyclopedia consists of 495 self-contained entries covering the diverse scope of knowledge about Antarctica. Editor Riffenburgh, polar historian and scholar, has produced an impressive two-volume set that distinguishes itself from other recent reference works (e.g., Antarctica, ed. by Mary Trewby, 2002) with its emphasis on scientific activities and topics rather than the history and culture of the continent. Entries vary in length from 500 to 6,000 words; e.g., entries for climate change and sea ice run several pages, while the one for Robert Falcon Scott, a famous early explorer, is barely two pages long, with an outdated bibliography. Although this encyclopedia does indeed cover history and culture, it is much more valuable for its examination of current issues: human impact, ecotourism, geopolitics, and more. This emphasis may explain the unfortunate lack of illustrations. Entries include cross-references and bibliographies. The set features a table of contents, alphabetic and thematic lists of entries, indexes in both volumes (much appreciated), and seven useful appendixes, including an excellent chronology of Antarctic exploration. This is an expensive set, but academic libraries should consider purchasing it for its scientific contributions. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above. — S. R. Moore, University of Louisiana at Lafayette 

Encyclopedia of the Arctic, ed. by Mark Nuttall.  Routledge, 2005.  3v bibl index afp ISBN 1-57958-436-5, $525.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2005may CHOICE.
42-4993  G606  2004-16694 CIP

Cold climates are the setting today for many hot topics, from global warming to the rights of indigenous peoples. This first multidisciplinary encyclopedia focused exclusively on the Arctic provides solid ground from which to explore these slippery topics. It is culturally, geographically, and topically well balanced: thematic areas include acts and treaties, birds, climate and weather, ecology, economics, exploration, fish, history, organizations, politics, towns, and settlements. The 1,200 entries, written by 380 specialists and all signed, range from 500 to 5,000 words. They are cross-referenced and contain extensive bibliographies for further reading, making the work an excellent starting point for any inquiry related to the Arctic. The set is well organized: front matter includes both alphabetical and thematic lists of entries. Its entries are consistently more thorough than corresponding topics in general resources such as Encyclopedia Britannica Online (CH, Sup’03, 40Sup-0010), and it easily surpasses comparable works on the Arctic. For the first time, information is provided about important indigenous political leaders. It is far more comprehensive than David McGonigal and Lynn Woodworth’s The Complete Encyclopedia of Antarctica and the Arctic (CH, Apr’02, 39-4340), although it lacks that work’s numerous color illustrations. Illustrations of birds and vegetation in color would have greatly improved Nuttall’s work; the black-and-white photos of puffins or arctic poppies are nearly useless. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels. –
S. R. McEathron, University of Kansas
 
 
Grant, Shelagh D.  Polar imperative: a history of Arctic sovereignty in North America.  Douglas & McIntyre, 2010.  540p bibl index afp; ISBN 9781553654186, $39.95. Reviewed in 2010dec CHOICE.
48-2278  FC191  2010-9001761 MARC

The recent BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the search for the wreck of the Franklin search-vessel HMS Investigator connect global warming with the ecology and economics of resource extraction as well as the geopolitics of historically justified sovereignty claims. Grant (Trent Univ., Canada) situates her rich study of North American Arctic sovereignty in a long-ranging analysis of the region’s history. Part 1 establishes the study’s parameters, links Arctic climatic changes and successive human occupations, and explains the motives of the British, Russian, and Danish. Part 2 addresses 19th-century British and US expansionism through the lens of nationalist imperatives, while part 3 explores the 20th century’s scientific research, new resources, technological advances, military presences, and emerging recognition of inherent aboriginal rights. Part 4 assesses new priorities and their associated conflicts and challenges against the preceding historical analysis. Grant stresses certain conclusions: a view of sovereignty that transcends ownership and requires responsibility and the need for a common international vision to ensure the “future stability of the North American Arctic” and protection against threats from “competitive corporatism or nationalism.” Despite seeking to inform a public audience, Grant’s scholarship provides a richly footnoted argument accompanied by a comprehensive bibliography. Copiously and imaginatively illustrated. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. — B. Osborne, Queen’s University at Kingston 

Kaye, Roger.  Last great wilderness: the campaign to establish the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  University of Alaska Press, 2006.  283p bibl index afp ISBN 1-889963-83-6, $29.95; ISBN 9781889963839, $29.95. Reviewed in 2007jan CHOICE.
44-2690  QH76  2005-32845 CIP
 
For decades the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has been at the center of a whirlwind of conflicting visions and demands from naturalists, developers, politicians, conservationists, and big oil. Once again its role as a wildlife refuge is under intense attack by big business and politicians. Why was this land set aside as a refuge? Are the values that drove this decision still valid today? To answer these questions, Kaye (Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks; former ANWR manager) has written a history of the creation of this refuge. This enjoyable book takes readers back to the 1940s, when the US recognized the need to reserve some land in its natural state for scientific, psychological, and conservation reasons. The visionaries, opponents, political maneuvering, and concessions that culminated in the creation of ANWR in 1960 make for fascinating reading. Kaye talked to original participants in the fight to create ANWR and researched archival records. He keeps the story balanced and leaves it to readers to decide what roles ANWR fills today. Well indexed, with a substantial number of photographs and references, this work is a must for public, high school, and university libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers. — B. Galbraith, Washington State University 

Larson, Edward J.  An empire of ice: Scott, Shackleton, and the heroic age of Antarctic science.  Yale, 2011.  326p  index  afp  ISBN 9780300154085, $28.00.  Reviewed in 2011oct CHOICE 
49-0869   G872   2010-44396 CIP

An Empire of Ice provides an eye-opening account of the British Empire’s involvement in science, especially the Royal Navy, beginning with Cook’s voyage of 1768 and his first crossing of the Antarctic Circle.  These activities culminated during the Victorian period and led to the “heroic age” of penetration of Antarctica (late 19th century through early 1920s).  The dominating figures are Norwegian explorer Amundsen, and British explorers Scott and Shackleton.  Writer/historian Larson (Pepperdine Univ.) provides the first detailed exposition of their contrasting personalities in the process of exhaustively examining their scientific contributions amidst the controversy of the polar journey.  He explains that Amundsen had a single objective: to get there.  Scott especially, but also Shackleton, and their colleagues, were the virtual founders of Antarctic science.  This, once and for all, pushes aside the grossly distorted assaults on Scott’s character characteristic of many publications, especially British, of the last 90 years.  Extremely well written and documented, An Empire of Ice is a gripping account that reads almost like a thriller, demonstrating the explorers’ well-known courage and persistence in the face of atrocious hardship.  At the close of another International Polar Year, it demonstrates how international scientific cooperation in the world’s coldest regions came to be established.  Summing Up: Highly recommended.  All academic, general, and professional readers. — J. D. Ives, emeritus, Carleton University
 
 
Mills, William James.  Exploring polar frontiers: a historical encyclopedia, by William James Mills with David Clammer et al.  ABC-Clio, 2003.  2v bibl index afp ISBN 1-57607-422-6, $185.00.  Outstanding Title! Reviewed in 2004sep CHOICE.
42-0058  G587  2003-19362 CIP

Mills (Librarian and Keeper of Collections, Scott Polar Research Institute, Univ. of Cambridge, UK) has produced a masterful encyclopedia covering Arctic and Antarctic exploration, 335 BCE to 2001. Painstakingly researched, his book is straightforward and easy to use, with well written, alphabetically arranged entries describing expeditions, explorers, and such topics as the international polar year and drifting ice stations. Most entries cite sources and list further readings. A chronology of polar expeditions covers exploration not only over time, but also by region, and allows readers to choose expeditions to look up in the main body of articles. A 36-page bibliography and a glossary of terms are included, as are a good index and cross-references. This focused resource on polar exploration establishes its place among recent encyclopedias of the Arctic and Antarctic (David McGonigal and Lynn Woodworth’s The Complete Encyclopedia: Antarctica and the Arctic, CH, Apr’02; Bernard Stonehouse’s Encyclopedia of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans, 2002) and is a good companion to William Mills and Peter Speak’s Keyguide to Information Sources on the Polar and Cold Regions (1998). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Academic, public, and high school libraries. — B. Galbraith, Washington State University 

    
NOAA Arctic Theme Page.  Internet Resource. Reviewed in 2006feb CHOICE.
43-3407
http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/index.shtml
 
[Visited Nov’05] Students and the general public interested in high northern latitudes will find the NOAA Arctic Theme Page greatly interesting. Prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this easily navigable and accurate site provides data, photographs, essays, and information on the Arctic, North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and the Barents Euro-Arctic region. Secondary students will find the site very useful, not only for the information that its numerous divisions contain, but also for the excellent links it provides to almost every aspect of Arctic history, climate, resources, animal and plant life, and current scientific research in the area. Global warming is a subject of much interest, and clear, succinct essays describe climatic changes now occurring and how significant these developments are for the peoples of the Blue Planet. The site offers extensive collections of photographs of Arctic conditions. Individuals interested in the history of Arctic exploration and the development of scientific knowledge of this region will find excellent links to more detailed information on these topics. More than 30 links provide access to data centers that collect and share with the general public scientific data collected on hydrographic, oceanographic, and natural resources conditions in the Arctic. Summing Up: Essential. General users; lower- and upper-division undergraduates. –
P. D. Thomas, Wichita State University