I'm an avid fan of Peter Matthiessen, and without a doubt, I'm a biased reviewer. However, this is an outstanding account of two distinct cruises to Antarctica.

One cruise was to the Antarctic Peninsula south of Tierra del Fuego, and the other was to the Ross Sea south of New Zealand. Matthiessen's writing about the oceans, the ice (both glaciers and bergs), and the animals, especially the birds, is truly beautiful.

Although he took these journeys in the late 1990s, the book is permeated with concern and indignation regarding climate change and other forms of environmental despoilation. Nevertheless, this book is not an obituary.

It is filled with wonderful prose that describes the grandeur of these extraordinary places and the mysteries of the natural world. Matthiessen's ability to capture the essence of Antarctica and convey it through his writing is remarkable.

The book not only provides a captivating narrative of his travels but also serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting our environment. It is a must-read for anyone interested in nature, travel, or environmental issues.

I've been aware of Peter Matthiessen's books for a long time. However, I had never managed to read anything by him before checking out End of the Earth: Voyaging to Antarctica from my local library. Sadly, I may have chosen less than his best work. As I read the book about Matthiessen's Antarctica journeys with great anticipation, I didn't really get invested in his writing style.

End of the Earth combines the author's journals of two specific voyages to Antarctica with historical background on previous explorations of the continent. For some reason, I was left unsatisfied and found some of the terminology hard to understand. Some authors have the ability to draw the reader in, but I didn't find that to be the case with Matthiessen's book, despite my fascination with this icy part of the world, which I've had the good fortune to visit.

What I did enjoy were some of the quotes, like the one from Ernest Shackleton: The longing for ice, the sadness of departure...it is as if I cannot bear to leave this bleak waste of ice, glaciers, cold & toil. With travel books, sometimes it seems the author fails to fully invite the reader to share the journey recap, but is just content to remember the details aloud, reminding himself of particular moments far from home. However, when Matthiessen talked about Shackleton, Cherry-Garrard, Dr. Edward Wilson, Robert Falcon Scott, Captain James Cook, and others, the tone of End of the Earth seemed to heighten and my interest was aroused more. For example, here's some commentary from Cherry-Garrard:

Why do men who have returned from the Antarctic always wish to go back to that hard & simple life? I believe it to be this: A man on such an expedition lives so close to nature, in whom he realizes a giant force which is visibly, before his eyes, carving out the world.

Matthiessen also adds that "more than any other region left on earth, Antarctica is immaculate, inviolable, a white fastness of pristine air & ice & virgin glacier at the farthest end of the earth, still marvelously intact."

The mention of Dr. Edward Wilson caught my attention because I met his great grand-nephew, D.M. "Chris" Wilson, on the deck of the "Marco Polo" in 2006. Dr. Edward Wilson was born in 1872 to a family of ornithologist-physicians and served on Scott's Antarctic expeditions. He was a doctor-scientist, ornithologist, artist, and confidant to both officers and men. He ultimately perished with Scott and Bowers on their attempt to reach the South Pole. On an earlier expedition, he failed to salvage an egg to study the embryology of the largest penguins but may have been among the first to document Emperor Penguins by sketching them.

Prior to WWI, there was still an innocence to these voyages to Antarctica, long before powerful icebreaking ships and better equipment made exploration less life-threatening. I still find these early expeditions fascinating. They carried a sense of hopeful quest to expand knowledge of the world's unmapped parts, even if it was somewhat nationalistic, as the funds for the expedition also involved planting a British flag.

There are 17 species of penguins, and on one of Matthiessen's voyages, someone on board had encountered each species. The penguins have developed flightlessness and weight to "exploit a new ecological niche," as the author puts it. Matthiessen also shows the impact of Global Warming on Antarctica, with melting ice, rising seas, and habitat loss, as well as the harm to the global human population due to the breakdown of the ozone shield, with an increase in cancerous melanoma being one result. He points out that with over a billion people lacking safe water, Antarctica's ice represents "the repository & treasury of 75% of the planet's fresh water."

Two books I enjoyed more about polar regions are Endurance by Alfred Lansing, Cheltenham in Antarctica: The Life of Edward Wilson by D.M. Wilson and D.B. Elder, and also the little-reviewed Safe Return Doubtful by John Maxtone-Graham. Beyond these and Cherry-Garrard's The Worst Journey in the World, a recent article by David Grann in The New Yorker, The White Darkness, explores how passion for Antarctica can become a fatal obsession. Perhaps this is what Shackleton meant when he said "we all have our White South." *A very interesting article by Jeff Himmelman on Peter Matthiessen appeared in The New York Times Magazine on April 3rd, 2014, just 2 days before the author's death. **There are 8 pages of color photos in End of the Earth.

Here lie dragons.

These magnificent and fearsome creatures have long captured the human imagination. Dragons are often depicted as powerful, winged serpents with scales that shine like precious metals and breath that can scorch the earth.

In many cultures, dragons are seen as symbols of strength, wisdom, and magic. They are said to guard hidden treasures and ancient secrets, and their presence can bring both good and bad fortune.

Some believe that dragons once roamed the earth, while others think they are purely mythical. But whether real or imagined, the legend of the dragon continues to fascinate people of all ages.

Today, dragons can be found in literature, art, and film, inspiring countless stories and adventures. They remain a powerful and enduring symbol of the unknown and the mysterious.

So the next time you hear the words "Here lie dragons," let your imagination soar and wonder what secrets and treasures might be hidden within their lairs.

Peter Matthiessen documents two remarkable journeys to Antarctica.

The first journey commences from Tierra del Fuego in South America and concludes at the shore of the Antarctic Peninsula west of the Weddell Sea. The second takes him from Tasmania to the Ross Sea, almost on the opposite side of the continent.

On both occasions, he travels on Russian ships. Due to the economic situation in Russia, these ships no longer operate along the northern coast of Russia but instead find tourist trips at the other end of the world more lucrative.

Matthiessen's account is not merely about the voyages themselves. He also delves into the history of the places they visit, most of which are devoid of permanent human inhabitants. He vividly describes the wildlife, with most of the ship's passengers being avid bird watchers. The highlight of the second trip is the Emperor Penguin, the only bird species on earth that never inhabits land and breeds on the ice shelf.

I likely would not have given this book a second thought had it not been on sale at a bargain price. However, two factors compelled me to purchase it. Last year, I attended a gathering at African Enterprise in Pietermaritzburg, where Michael Cassidy presented slides of a trip to Antarctica that was a 70th birthday gift. He had followed a similar route to Matthiessen's first journey from Tierra del Fuego, and after seeing the pictures, I was intrigued to read about it. Additionally, I had previously read and thoroughly enjoyed a couple of other books by Peter Matthiessen, namely The Snow Leopard and At play in the fields of the Lord.

I initially thought this would be a book that I might casually browse through and read only the interesting parts. However, as I began reading, I became completely engrossed in it. It is not just a travelogue; it is also a captivating story of our planet.

Peter Matthiessen is a true hero.

He was not only a remarkable writer but also a passionate advocate for nature and social justice.

His works, such as "The Snow Leopard" and "Shadow Country,"展现了他对 the human condition and the natural world with profound insight and beautiful prose.

Matthiessen dedicated his life to protecting the environment and fighting for the rights of the oppressed.

He traveled to remote corners of the world, documenting the beauty and fragility of nature and the struggles of indigenous peoples.

His activism and writing inspired countless others to take action and make a difference.

Peter Matthiessen's legacy lives on through his words and the impact he had on the world.

He will always be remembered as a hero who used his talent and passion to make the world a better place.

Mattheissen's experiences as a wildlife guide on an antarctic cruise ship are recounted in this article. It offers a lovely read that takes the reader on a journey through the beautiful landscapes and wildlife of Antarctica. While not as philosophical as "The Snow Leopard," it is still introspective, allowing the reader to gain insights into Mattheissen's thoughts and feelings. The descriptions of the landscape and wildlife are truly beautiful, painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. In particular, the section on birds is interesting, as is the exploration history. Overall, this article made me dream of visiting Antarctica myself if I were ever to win the lottery.

I decided to quit that job

because it bored me out of my life.

Every day was the same routine, doing the same tasks over and over again.

There was no excitement or challenge, and it felt like I was just going through the motions.

I tried to find ways to make it more interesting, but nothing seemed to work.

I knew that if I stayed, I would just be wasting my time and talents.

So, I made the difficult decision to leave and look for something that would truly fulfill me.

I'm not sure what the future holds, but I'm excited to find out.

I believe that there is something better out there for me, and I'm willing to take the risk to find it.

This piece is a veritable treasure trove of literary delights.

It is filled with gorgeous turns of phrase that dance across the page, captivating the reader's imagination. The descriptions of the land and sea are so evocative that one can almost feel the cold wind of the polar regions or the gentle lapping of the waves.

The fascinating information about birds and wildlife adds another layer of interest, making the reader eager to learn more about these unique creatures.

The deep contemplations within the text invite the reader to reflect on the beauty and fragility of our environment, while the environmental activism aspect serves as a call to action.

The background on polar explorers provides a historical context that enriches the overall narrative. And let's not forget the wry humor that peppers the piece, adding a touch of lightness to what could otherwise be a沉重的 topic.

Overall, I found this work to be every bit as enjoyable as his classic Snow Leopard, and I highly recommend it to anyone with a love for nature, adventure, and beautiful writing.

To tell about a cruise in Antarctica and make it not seem like something for rich old people, one has to be Matthiessen. But the thing gets a bit tarnished. When you have known Matthiessen looking for the snow leporine and living real adventures, this seems a bit dim.

However, that's the case. It is ANTARCTICA.

The beauty and mystery of Antarctica have always intrigued people. A cruise there offers a unique opportunity to witness the stunning landscapes, encounter diverse wildlife, and experience the extreme cold and isolation.

Matthiessen, with his adventurous spirit and keen观察力, was able to capture the essence of this remarkable continent. His descriptions bring to life the vast icebergs, the playful penguins, and the sense of wonder that fills anyone who sets foot in Antarctica.

Although his account may have lost some of its shine compared to his other more thrilling adventures, it still provides a valuable insight into the world of Antarctic cruising.

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or someone looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a cruise in Antarctica is sure to leave a lasting impression.

A breezy account is given of Mattiesson's two expeditions to Antarctica.

The first one was aboard the Ioffe - the very same boat that I took down to the peninsula.

It is an easy read, yet I was rather surprised that the first edition was full of errors regarding the dates of Shackleton's Endurance voyage.

However, the epilogue, which is a thoughtful and well-written essay about the different explorers and their place in polar history, is perhaps the best part of the book.

It provides valuable insights into the various adventurers who have braved the harsh conditions of the polar regions.

The author's descriptions of the expeditions are vivid and engaging, making it possible for the reader to almost imagine themselves on the icy continent.

Overall, despite the errors in the first edition, this book offers an interesting and accessible look at Antarctic exploration.

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