Beyond the frozen sea

visions of Antarctica

Plot

From Publishers WeeklyFirst came the great maritime explorersCook, Ross, von Bellingshausen, Weddellwhose voyages opened the Southern Ocean to sealing and whaling. Next came the heroic age of land exploration with Scott, Shackleton, Amundsen and, much later, Byrd. Since World War II, there has been intensive scientific study on and around the Antarctic continent: Is exploitation of its natural resources the next step? Photographer and filmmaker Mickleburgh was a member of the British Antarctic Survey in 1968; his most recent visit was in 1986. Here he reviews the history of discovery and exploration, the 1959 Antarctic Treaty (due for renewal soon), territorial claims and conflicts. Mickleburgh writes of his concern about the future of this unspoiled, beautiful land. An effort to have the United Nations designate Antarctica a World Park failed. Economic interests may override other concerns in the near future; the necessary technology for exploitation is already available. Mickleburgh's dramatic photographs enhance and complement the story; the reader is convinced that this land should remain untouched.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.From Library JournalA short history of human contact with Antarctica by a British filmmaker and photographer. A brief survey of pre-20th century voyages is followed by three chapters on the Heroic Age of Scott-Amundsen-Shackleton and a relatively detailed review of the past 70 years of exploration and exploitation. The author tries to do for the Antarctic what Sam Hall did for the Arctic in Fourth World ( LJ 6/15/87): sound the alarm before its fragile ecology is destroyed. He is attempting too much in a short span, but the readable narrative and fine photographs may whet the reader's appetite for more on Antarctica.J.F. Husband, Framingham State Coll. Lib., Mass.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.