The Crystal Desert: Summers in Antarctica

by David G. Campbell

Book Overview

THE CRYSTAL DESERT: SUMMERS IN ANTARCTICA is the story of life's tenacity on the coldest of Earth's continents. It tells of the explorers who discovered Antarctica, of the whalers and sealers who despoiled it, and of the scientists who are deciphering its mysteries. In beautiful, lucid prose, David G. Campbell chronicles the desperately short summers on the Antarctic Peninsula. He presents a fascinating portrait of the evolution of life in Antarctica...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0618219218
• ISBN13: 9780618219216
• Release Date: May 2002
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant read

The author is both a passionate biologist and a sensitive prose stylist. His paean to Antarctica combines his considerable knowledge about the continent's history and biology with his own direct observation of the place and close study of its creatures. Fully researched, critically observed, beautifully written. If you're interested in Antarctica, or just like nature writing, you need to read this book.

The Crystal Desert: Summers in Antarctica

I enjoyed reading this book and it provided me with a lot of information that I found very useful. I had no idea what it was like in Antarctica and this book helped me get a feel for it.

Interesting look at the flora/fauna of Antarctica

Very interesting reading for those with limited knowledge of what kinds of life exist in this hostile locale.

Superbly written and lovely presentation of natural history

This book is elegantly descriptive of the history, both natural and anthropogenic, of one of the last true frontiers - Antarctica. Dr. Campbell presents an interesting history of Antarctica before the human invasion as well as after, which provides the reader with a better understanding of the environment in Antarctica.

This is a wonderful, thoughtful book!

Crystal Desert is the kind of book that stays with you. It is a very interesting read. David Campbell is a marvelous writer.