No comments about Fodor-S.amer'91.

No comments about Amundsen & Scott's Race to the South Pole (Great Journeys).

No comments about South: the Endurance expedition. 1999. soft cover..

No comments about Antarctica: An Encyclopedia (TWO VOLUMES).

2 comments about Beyond Cape Horn: Travels in the Antarctic.

1. Beyond Cape Horn: Travels In The Antarctic is a personal experienced based account of the wonders of Antarctica's landmass and the ocean surrounding it. Written by the late scholar and three-time Antarctic explorer Charles Neider (1915-2001), Beyond Cape Horn is drawn from his third navigation in 1977 of the Antarctic seas on a mission to observe the habitat of the Southern Ocean as it was changing in response to increasing commercial activity. Neider surveys the land, the water currents, the natural life that flourishes in spite of the cold and otherwise inhospitable climate. A vivid and memorable account which is enhanced by extensive interviews with Antarctic explorers such as Sir Charles Wright, Laurence Gould, and Sir Vivan Fuchs (the first man to cross Antarctica's landmass), Beyond Cape Horn is an exceptional blend of personal memoir and scientific treatise which is particular recommended for those who appreciate travel, exploration, and the magnificence of untamed nature.



2. Once past the alarmingly dull first chapter - a detailed treatise on Antarctic law which combines the style of a superannuated college professor with that of an assiduous low-level bureaucrat - "Beyond Cape Horn" settles into an enjoyable though disjointed read.
   Neider's book is a happy democracy in which all facts are equal and each anecdote merits the same amount of space and generous allotment of adjectives. He does not sift the wheat from the chaff, prioritize, or even impose much order. An account of Shackleton's Endurance expedition, a vivid depiction of life aboard an icebreaker and interviews with members of the Scott and Byrd expeditions jostle for space amid a list of condiments available in the base mess hall, a biographical paragraph or three on every explorer who ever ventured near the Antarctic regions, and a meditation on the life of Rachel the Husky. (We also get a blow-by blow description of the men butchering a seal for Rachel.)
   There is something endearing in this. Neider is like an enthusiastic hobbyist, full of information and bursting to tell us all about it. He draws us in, whether he is watching killer whales at play, examining gorgeously-colored caverns of glacial ice, or musing on the moral probity of a helicopter crew filming a penguin "in a panic which [they themselves] have caused."
   And it is hard to dislike a writer who refuses to take sea-sickness pills because Darwin had none on the Beagle.

4 comments about Innocents on the Ice: A Memoir of Antarctic Exploration, 1957.

1. Behrendt's book is an interesting and rewarding read on several levels. At the core of the book are the extremely complete field notes of a 20-something scientist-adventurer on an exploratory journey into an unmapped part of Antarctica during the 1957 International Geophysical Year. Interspersed with this narrative are the reflections of the same man from a vantage point 40 years in the future. Part history, part science, part an examination of expedition psychology, this book will be of interest to a wide audience.



2. The title is very appropriate for Behrendt's diary of events at Ellsworth Station on the Weddell Sea margin of the Filchner Ice Shelf and their long geophysical traverse as far south as the Dufek Massif during IGY (1956-1958). The diary, that of a graduate student geophysicist and neophyte Antarctican, is made much more interesting by the running commentary from one of Antarctica's most accomplished, still active, scientists. The underlying plot describes a group of young scientists trying to cope with a system designed for the Navy and the harsh realities of exploring an unknown part of Antarctica. Many of the stories are amusing and almost unbelievable; they show the stress of wintering over and working in harsh conditions. I am amazed at how much was accomplished by Behrendt and other pioneers in the IGY program who worked with the relatively primitive equipment of the time. We need to hear more of their stories!



3. The book is reasonably well-written although in a strange style: a mixture throughout of diary entries from 1957 and current commentaries. The narrative about the science and logistics is interesting enough, but the real heart of the book is the battle between the scientists and Captain Finn Ronne of the U.S. Navy. Captain Ronne, who wrote his own version of the IGY expedition at Ellsworth Station, appears to have been a completely arbitrary martinet, a self-serving dictator and political string-puller, and a bad-tempered paranoid and coward. He repeatedly put the expedition in danger by his refusal to provide equipment. He censored much of the communication in and out. He insisted that the scientists share dishwashing and other duties even when they were barely able to complete their scientific assignments. He evidently believed that the Navy support team of 30 or so men had more important things to do than assist the scientists, even though the sole purpose of the whole expedition was scientific. The sad tale of how he killed two emperor penguins 'in the most brutal way imaginable' is enough to turn one's stomach.

   There are parallels, as Behrendt notes, with Captain Queeg of the Caine Mutiny. Unfortunately in the nonfictional world of the Navy, Ronne's outrageous behavior, although known to his superiors, apparently went unpunished.

   The characterization of other individuals in the book is rather thin. But I would strongly recommend the book.




4. Behrendt's account of his winterover and subsequent traverse is a very interesting read, and most importantly, a very relevant contribution to the history of Antarctic science. It shows the clash between the old generation of explorers rooted in the "Heroic Age" with the younger generation of scientists, ultimately marking the beginning of the "Scientific Age" in Antarctic exploration.

1 comments about Improbable Eden: The Dry Valleys of Antarctica.

1. Possibly the only book published that is dedicated to this region. The text describes travel in this spectacular area and Craig Potton's photos really do it justice. There are plenty of photos in this book of 128 pages and they are crystal clear and well composed. My only criticism is that I don't personally like the way a few of the photos are presented in pairs over double pages, with each shot being a slight variation of the other - probably quite artistic but I would prefer each shot to be unique. This may not bother most people and I would have otherwise given it 5 stars.
   Overall, the book is very impressive and highly recommended - try the website craigpotton.co.nz if Amazon do not sell new copies. Craig Potton Publishing deals with many good photographic books on New Zealand.

5 comments about Searchers.

1. Very quick review, this is a well written book. Full of detail with an in depth story line. I am looking forward to more books by this same author. I forsee his work becoming common place in my library. Well done.



2. This book is terrific vacation or leisure reading. I enjoyed the page-turning action and suspense, as well as the vivid and accurate descriptions of Antarctica, especially the storms. "Searchers" is a unique blend of sci-fi, adventure/action, with just the right touch of romance. This author could well be the next Michael Crichton...



3. Having been the owner of a fast growing small business for the past 14 years and involved in many community and professional activities (in addition to family responsibilities), I have not taken the time to read an entire book for years, and I have not read a novel since before I started my business. I've bought recommended books from time-to-time, read the first few chapters, but have never finished reading any of the books.

   Recently, a good friend recommended Scott Browning's book, Searchers, and I actually read it from cover to cover! I fould Searchers to be extremely enjoyable reading. The tale is filled with intrigue, excitement, adventure, risk, surprise and human emotion. I've always enjoyed science fiction, particularly when it is founded on theories that could someday prove to be reality.

   I think Scott Browning's Searchers would appeal to most busy entrepreneurs who have an inherent drive to pursue the adventure of the unknowm and take risks. I recommend Searchers highly to other entrepreneurs as an outstanding diversion from the routing reading of business books and articles.

   Chuck McCabe
   President & CEO
   Peoples Income Tax, Inc.




4. This book is a compelling adventure story set in the world's most unforgiving continent,
   Antarctica. The characters are well-drawn, the plot clips along nicely, and the author's
   descriptions of the vast, frozen hinterland are at times poetic. As I read, I couldn't help
   but envision this tale being spun on film. Browning's movie industry experience has given this
   story the edge it needs to become a box-office hit. I recommend this book for adults
   only due to violence, moderate sexual content, and colorful language. For busy people without much
   time for leisure reading, Scott Browning provides a fast-paced, fascinating diversion that can easily
   be read in a few evenings, provided ofcourse that the reader can put the book down!



5. Intriguing from beginning to end, this first effort by Mr. Browning will be a light in the wilderness for more to come.

No comments about The crossing of Antarctica; the Commonwealth Transantarctic Expedition, 1955-1958.

No comments about SHADOWS ON THE WASTELAND.