Reviews with the most likes.
Matthiessen is well known for his works on birds, animals, ecology and philosophy. This is a little different to his other work I have read - in that is doesn't delve into his philosophy.
Matthiessen writes with passion for the many Antarctic birds and whales in particular while recounting his various trips to Antarctica, but concentrating on his two major ones - one from Tierra del Fuego in South America to the Antarctic Peninsular, the second from Tasmania to the Ross Sea. He also outlines the history and in particular the voyages of Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen, and their contributions to Antarctic exploration.
Environmental and ecological issues are also examined - global warming / reduction of polar icecap / rising sea levels, the Japanese with their ‘scientific' whaling, Antarctic toothfish over-fishing, as well as historic whaling and penguin culling, and the long road to recovery from those times.
This is perhaps not the most high paced read, but it is thorough and thoughtful nevertheless.
Three and a half stars, rounded down.
