A beautiful love letter to the Arctic. The author, in a very engaging and witty way, recalls forty years of his travels to the Far North – and, saddened and worried because of the changes he registers over time, embarks on a journey to document the climate crisis in this precious, vulnerable environment. His tale is accompanied by stunning photographs.

Highly recommended to any nature writing fan.

Thanks to the publisher, Patagonia Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

Into the thaw by Jon waterman is wonderfully executed. The photography is vivid and draws you in, along with the detailed paragraphs. The part at the end about how to help the climate was impact full to me.

I blame NetGalley. I had requested and received a temporary Ebook from Patagonia Books via NetGalley and enjoyed the photos on Adobe Digital Editions. I had trouble reading the text, but want a print copy to revisit the photos. I looked, and the prose is available for preorder in AUDIO. I win! So I preordered one of each!
Why would I do this? The photos and the story they tell of the melting and other changes that have happened over the past 30 years is beyond sad. What was white and pristine has become degraded by first hand humans and the melting mush is obviously from the changes in the temperature over recent years. The book is very well done and deserves to be experienced.
#PatagoniaBooks #NetGalley #AlaskanArctic #NationalParks #IntoTheThaw Avail Oct 22,2024

Although the presentation on my computer was hard to read and hard to see the absolutely beautiful, breath taking pictures, it was so worth the work. This is one of a kind book that takes you on a sweeping journey to a place most of us will never experience. The photographs alone make you long to want to go here. You imagine yourself there looking upward with the description of the Northern Lights, you hold your breath watching the majesty of the animals, you feel the cold. The story is told in a very relatable manner, it is an enjoyable trek with the author. It is not just science and history. It is not just a warning as to what we are losing. It gives us an appreciation of what we may have not appreciated before. Thank you Jon Waterman. I thank NetGalley and Patagonia for the look into this beautiful, threatened place on earth.

This is definitely the most accessible book on the climate crisis that I've read; Jon Waterman has found a way to talk to people about the science and the realities of what's happening to our world in a gentle but factual manner that makes the book easy to read and understand. He even made me laugh a few times. As a former Park Ranger and an avid explorer, Waterman shares years of experience and insights with readers on the greening of the arctic and the changes that he's witnessed first-hand over several decades.
Into The Thaw is a combination of history, science, and adventure; with fascinating stories about the people and animals that he met along the way on his trek through the Arctic. I learned about the Western Arctic Caribou Herds, about the differences between various bears, and about the rise of the mosquito population among many other things. I learned that the Northern Lights have a certain sound quality to them. This was such a fascinating book to read and I'm looking forward to finding more of his books now - I'm totally hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Patagonia Books for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.
#PatagoniaBooks #NetGalley

"Into the Thaw" by Jon Waterman is a profound and beautifully written exploration of the Alaskan Arctic, capturing both the breathtaking beauty and the heart-wrenching changes wrought by the climate crisis. Waterman's narrative, rich with personal adventure and natural history, offers an intimate and urgent portrait of a region undergoing dramatic transformation.

Returning to the Noatak headwaters after a 30-year absence, Waterman and his son confront a landscape and ecosystem drastically altered. His vivid descriptions—such as rain showers glowing like lemonade—immerse readers in the stark beauty of the Arctic, while his accounts of the environmental devastation, including thawing permafrost and loss of sea ice, underscore the pressing reality of climate change.

Waterman's encounters with wildlife, his solitary weeks amid hordes of mosquitoes, and his interactions with the welcoming Inuit and Inupiat people lend a deeply human and relatable aspect to the scientific observations. His writing, infused with humility and humor, makes the narrative both enlightening and accessible, showing how the Arctic’s grace can touch those who journey through it.

This lushly illustrated and scholarly book is not only a documentation of the Arctic's transformation but also a call to action. Waterman's reflections on the changes he has witnessed over the decades are poignant reminders of what is at stake. Despite the grim reality, "Into the Thaw" ends on a hopeful note, suggesting concrete actions to slow the thaw and preserve this remarkable frontier.

For readers interested in environmental issues, natural history, and adventure, "Into the Thaw" is an essential read. Waterman’s decades of experience and deep connection to the Arctic are evident on every page, making this a compelling and urgent testament to the effects of climate change on one of the world's most fragile and awe-inspiring regions.