Title: Antarctica
Author: Lonely Planet
Published by: Lonely Planet
Year: 1996
Date reviewed: 02.98
ISBN: 0-86442-415-9

Much more than a travel guide, this book gives comprehensive and authoritative information on the history of exploration of the Antarctic regions, their geography and climate, and the scientific programmes that are the main reason for human presence in the Antarctic. The environmental and political issues are also well covered, and there is a good colour section on the wildlife.

For anyone wanting to visit Antarctica there is full information on the cruise operators (who prefer to call their cruises "expeditions"), the "gateway" cities from which the ships depart, and descriptions of the places on the continent and sub-Antarctic islands which are normally accessible to tourists. The section on the islands – some of the most isolated land on the planet – is particularly interesting to anyone like me who is fascinated by remote places.