Prior to reading this book, I didn’t know much about Antarctica, but it is a mysterious, intriguing place. That, along with the gorgeous cover, attracted me to this book at first. Ever want to learn more about Antarctica? This is the book for you. It covers a variety of topics from the explorers who have traveled and researched there to what it is like to live there and more. Brief, but interesting.

There in an index and suggested further reading with nine items like as well as two films. Bibliography is also included. Well sourced. Will recommend to all the adventurers, science lovers, and the environmentally conscious.

The Call of Antarctica introduces younger readers to the lure of Earth’s most remote continent, which despite its withering severity has attracted explorers for over two centuries. The title alternates between history and an introduction to Antarctica unique climate, including the threats posed to it by human behavior, and prominently features the career of George W. Gibbs Jr, a black man who joined several Antarctica expeditions and whose journal is quoted throughout the text, offering a first-hand look into early exploration. Gibbs’ story is unusual in that despite the era (the 1940s), he was treated as any member of the crew, and went on to serve in the US Navy during World War 2, earning a series of medals for his performance there. The photographs included in the book are well-chosen to convey the continent’s savage beauty, and though this is written for younger readers, I still found a few surprises in store – like the existence of dry valleys, areas locked off from the ice by mountains and which see less precipitation than any place on Earth. Although the book’s mix of biography and natural exploration is sometimes distracting, I appreciated learning Gibbs’ story, and (On an interesting note: the author is a direct descendant Gibbs, allowing for a generous amount of Gibbs' personal photos to be used.)