Exploring Polar Frontiers: A Historical Encyclopedia [2 volumes]

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Description

This encyclopedia covers the entire history of Arctic and Antarctic exploration, from the voyage to Pytheas ca. 325 BC to the present. From Pytheas's 4th century voyage to the North sea to Jeri Nielsen's battle with self-diagnosed breast cancer in Antarctica in 1999, the history of our quest to conquer the poles is filled with tales of courage, adventure, tragedy and triumph. Features of the encyclopedia include: 500 A-Z biographical, geographical and subject entries on Arctic and Antarctic exploration such as the Polar Sea and Elephant Island and major explorers such as Jane Franklin and Richard Byrd; alphabetical chronology of expeditions; illustrations such as woodcuts showing travel methods, man-hauling and Lady Franklin; maps of areas including the Arctic, Antarctic and New Siberian Islands; and photographs of places including the Antarctic Peninsula, the Hudson Bay and the Endurance crushed by ice.

Reviews

"[T]he work is wonderfully done, with each essay telling a fascinating story of Arctic and Antarctic exploration and discovery ... The articles are very well-written and the work is an attractive two-volume set... Most general reference sections will want to acquire this set. Geology, geography, and polar research special collections will find this a handy compendium." - American Reference Books Annual "[P]rovides over 500 well researched and fact filled articles that will appeal to anyone interested in polar exploration. Appropriate for reference where there is a strong demand, this is one of those sets that will also be welcomed in circulating collections, especially in larger libraries. In either case, both public and academic libraries will want to consider it for their shelves." - Against the Grain "This is an excellent and thorough resource for anyone interested in the history of polar exploration. It is highly recommended for academic and public libraries where there is interest in the Arctic and Antarctic." - Booklist "Mills ... has produced a masterful encyclopedia covering Arctic and Antarctic exploration, 335 BCE to 2001... Highly recommended. Academic, public, and high school libraries." - Choice "This is an impressive work which describes many little-known expeditions and aspects of polar exploration." - The Northern Mariner

Author Bio

William James Mills was librarian and keeper of collections at the world's largest polar library, located at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England.