Great companion during my half-day commute from Bremerhaven to home. Lately I have been reading a lot on Arctic exploration, as I am preparing for a yGreat companion during my half-day commute from Bremerhaven to home. Lately I have been reading a lot on Arctic exploration, as I am preparing for a year on Svalbard myself (starting in August.. time flies). When I saw Daren read this and gave it a good review, I knew it would be my cup of tea! And it definitely was.
This book is written by a man who worked as a tour guide on different boat trips in the Southern Ocean and around Antarctica. He combines his personal stories with historical polar exploration stories, which makes this book quite a good summary/start to learn about the "heroes" in polar exploration! I found it well written and very entertaining.
My only complaint is, and others would agree, that it's quite short. There are quite a lot of historical stories, but I would love to have read more about the author's personal travels as well.
Maybe after my contract has ended I should look for a job in the Antarctic.....more
What a powerful book! This describes the forced relocation many northern Sámi had to undertake in the beginning of the 1920s. The reindeer herding peoWhat a powerful book! This describes the forced relocation many northern Sámi had to undertake in the beginning of the 1920s. The reindeer herding people lived with the seasons, in different parts of Scandinavia, parts that are now Norway, Sweden and Finland. For Norway it was not desirable anymore to have this seasonal migration going on, so they prohibited the people from entering Norway and relocated them to parts of Sweden, with force and a low amount of money to help them. The promised area was often already populated or an obviously less nice area to live. The authorities said the reindeer damage the landscape too much, that more space was needed for agriculture. But from stories and documents it is clear they found the Northern Sámi not fitting in their idea of a modern Norway. In Sweden it also wasn't easy for the Sámi. Reading all this, you realise that these people really had no place to go where they were welcome and valued. Ofcourse you see this pattern with many indigenous people all over the world. And most of it is hushed up, erased from history books.
That's why this book is a gem. It's filled with personal stories, wonderful photography, poems and joiks (Sámi traditional "songs", often addressed to nature). It's wonderfully written and captivating until the end.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
Wonderful coffee table book filled with beautiful photography from the Antarctic. The author is a scientist with decades of experience in geology. TheWonderful coffee table book filled with beautiful photography from the Antarctic. The author is a scientist with decades of experience in geology. The photos are accompanied by illustrations, stories of fieldwork, and science. An enjoyable and inspiring read.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
This book features a collection of short stories around the winter theme. Even though I really loved some - I had already read quite a few before - moThis book features a collection of short stories around the winter theme. Even though I really loved some - I had already read quite a few before - most of the snippets were too short to actually enjoy. As a whole, this book doesn't feel cohesive.. unfortunately. The premise is really nice. But most entries are one or two pages, which is really not enough to feel immersed in winter vibes.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more