Whether you’re cruising in a vessel, photographing the unique wildlife or snowshoeing around its peninsular, Antarctica will be an unforgettable experience. But how best to prepare for your once in a lifetime trip? If you want to immerse yourself in the atmosphere, the history and the legend, why not do a bit of pre-trip reading before you set off?
John, one of our polar specialists, has compiled a list of his favourite books on Antarctica, including some that show the lesser-known side of the region. Here are his top five reads:
1 – A Short History of Polar Exploration by Nick Rennison
This book offers a brief yet fascinating insight into the early explorations which opened up both Polar regions. The Antarctic and Arctic; both inhospitable and both mapped but explored rather differently. Touching on some of the greatest stories of adventure and hardship, this book is a great place to start learning about some of the legendary characters who lent their names to the white world.
2 – Antarctica: a guide to the wildlife (Bradt Guides) by Tony Soper
Antarctica is teeming with wildlife. Adelie penguins stealing each other’s stones, majestic, elusive blue whales, and of course let’s not forget the leopard seal. Whether it be birds or mammals, this book has all the detail with great pictures.
3 – South: The Endurance Expedition by Ernest Shackleton
There have been myriad books written about Shackleton’s epic Endurance Expedition, however none are quite as good as the original, directly from the horse’s mouth. This is a book to inspire. Difficult reading at times, it’s nevertheless a real page-turner. South is a must.
4 – The Crossing of Antarctica: Original Photographs from the Epic Journey that Fulfilled Shackleton’s Dream by George Lowe
A book about the first crossing of Antarctica in 1957/58. This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the men who succeeded where Shackleton failed. Featuring many of the photos taken on the expedition, I found myself staring at the pages for hours.
5 – Cleaning Up After Science by Brian Birkenstein
So much of Antarctica literature focuses on the exploration and adventure of the white continent. With Shackleton and Scott dominating the book lists, it’s difficult to find anything written from a different perspective. But Brian Birkenstein has achieved something quite unique. He writes as a serial traveller who went to work as a cleaner on one of the Antarctic bases. To him, getting paid $7 an hour for cleaning up after scientists seemed more appealing than spending two weeks on a vessel enjoying its comforts. The resulting memoir is a little different and a lot of fun.
These five books are a great place to start in familiarising yourself with this unique part of the world. We can’t possibly review all the great books out there though, so tell us, have you already enjoyed a great book about Antarctica? If you have any recommendations please post them in the comments below for the benefit of future travellers!
