Gavin Francis "Empire Antartica" (Vintage)

This is an enjoyable memoir by a doctor spending a year on a British Antarctic Survey base, including a winter stay. In fact, excellent both on the history of Antarctic exploration and the author's personal experience of being there. Plenty of accessible science and insights into isolation. The cold, the desolation and the mental challenge involved are well described. Similarly, the way that emperor penguins cope with the extreme environment is lovingly and even lyrically explained. An uplifting experience.

This is an enjoyable memoir by a doctor spending a year on a British Antarctic Survey base, including a winter stay. In fact, excellent both on the history of Antarctic exploration and the author's personal experience of being there. Plenty of accessible science and insights into isolation. The cold, the desolation and the mental challenge involved are well described. Similarly, the way that emperor penguins cope with the extreme environment is lovingly and even lyrically explained. An uplifting experience.