There have been many books about Antarctica in the past, but all have focused on only one aspect of the continent - its science, its wildlife, the heroic age of exploration, personal experiences or the sheer awesome beauty of the landscape, for example - but none has managed to capture whole story, till now. Gabrielle Walker, author, consultant to New Scientist and regular broadcaster with the BBC has written a book unlike any that has ever been written about the continent. Antarctica weaves all the significant threads into an intricate tapestry, made up of science, natural history, poetry, epic history, what it feels like to be there and why it draws so many different kinds of people back there again and again. It is only when all the parts come together that the underlying truths of the continent emerge. Antarctica is the most alien place on Earth, the only part of our planet where humans could never survive unaided. It is truly like walking on another planet. And yet, in its silence, its agelessness and its mysteries lie the secrets of our past, and of our future.
Review:
Praise for Gabrielle Walker 'An Ocean of Air is a fascinating book. The subject is hot, the science is cool, and Gabrielle Walker's style is lighter than air. Warmly recommended.' - Jonathan Weiner, author of The Beak of the Finch and he Beak of the Finch and My Brother's Keeper
'The Hot Topic is a masterful book, wonderfully well-written. It should become the authoritative statement on climate change and what to do about it for years to come.' James Lovelock, author of Gaia and The Revenge of Gaia
'In a world full of misinformation, The Hot Topic is a beacon of clarity' - Al Gore
Author Biography: Gabrielle Walker has a PhD in natural sciences from Cambridge University and has taught at both Cambridge and Princeton universities. She is Chief Scientist of strategic advisory firm Xynteo, a consultant to New Scientist, contributes frequently to BBC radio and writes for many newspapers and magazines. In 2009 and 2011 respectively she presented the Planet Earth Under Threat series and Thin Air for BBC Radio 4, and in 2011 she presented The Secret Life of Ice for BBC4. She lives in London.
Review:
Praise for Gabrielle Walker 'An Ocean of Air is a fascinating book. The subject is hot, the science is cool, and Gabrielle Walker's style is lighter than air. Warmly recommended.' - Jonathan Weiner, author of The Beak of the Finch and he Beak of the Finch and My Brother's Keeper
'The Hot Topic is a masterful book, wonderfully well-written. It should become the authoritative statement on climate change and what to do about it for years to come.' James Lovelock, author of Gaia and The Revenge of Gaia
'In a world full of misinformation, The Hot Topic is a beacon of clarity' - Al Gore
Author Biography: Gabrielle Walker has a PhD in natural sciences from Cambridge University and has taught at both Cambridge and Princeton universities. She is Chief Scientist of strategic advisory firm Xynteo, a consultant to New Scientist, contributes frequently to BBC radio and writes for many newspapers and magazines. In 2009 and 2011 respectively she presented the Planet Earth Under Threat series and Thin Air for BBC Radio 4, and in 2011 she presented The Secret Life of Ice for BBC4. She lives in London.
