This is a fascinating new publication from Mary Thompson-Jones about America’s presence in the Arctic where she argues for its continual neglect within American politics to be addressed.

The parts I particularly appreciated about this book was Thompson-Jones’ frankness about the need for raising up indigenous voices in order to better understand cultural and political life within the Arctic, and in order to address the issues that have continually been ignored or de-prioritised by governments up until this point.

The section I found particularly fascinating was chapter 4, which looks at Iceland and its history as a country in the Arctic circle. Indeed, I would say that my favourite part about the book was how it addressed the history of each arctic nation and how that is influencing current day politics and international relations.

I would really recommend this to anyone looking at becoming better versed in the politics surrounding the arctic, in its history and its future.

Many thanks to Columbia University Press, Mary Thompson-Jones and Netgally for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
America in the Arctic will be published on the 25th of February 2025

In this fascinating book, Mary Thompson-Jones argues that the US needs to pay more attention to the Arctic, which hasn't been a priority for quite some time. However, with the region warming at a rapid rate, attention will be required one way or another. She points out that if the region is ignored, a price will be paid, since other countries are not hesitating to try to claim territory, use it for economic and military purposes, and access resources. She states that, in the US, "Few people are fully aware of all that is happening in the Far North and fewer still understand the multiple ways these changes will affect their lives." (p 19) While the federal government is playing catch-up after years of neglect, some states are proactive and doing what they can on their own. Alaska, of course, being an Arctic state, is an obvious example, but there are others as well. She makes the case that people who haven't lived in the Arctic, do not understand the challenges and ways in which life is different there. Based on my own experience, she does a good job with this.

For me the real strength of the book, and what I found so interesting, was the history of the Arctic regions of each country she includes in the book. She begins with Alaska and moves east into Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden, and Russia, with a chapter devoted to each. She provides a brief history of the people who lived in these regions and their history with the governments that claimed them, before describing the relationships the US has had with each one. She also describes the ways in which US Arctic policy has changed in recent years as there's been a recognition that this is a topic that cannot be ignored.

She strongly advocates for the inclusion of indigenous voices to be heard and needs met as US Arctic policy evolves.

This book--at least the review copy I read--was completed before the recent US election and as I read I was thinking about the ways in which things will deteriorate as a result.

This is a fascinating and highly readable book which I enjoyed very much, learned from, and highly recommend.