The acclaimed science writer presents a wide-ranging exploration of Antarctica’s history, nature, and global significance in this “rollicking good read” (Kirkus).
 
From the early expeditions of Ernest Shackleton to David Attenborough’s documentary series Frozen Planet, the continent of Antarctica has captured the world’s imagination. After the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, decades of...

Henry David Thoreau had a very close relationship with his older brother, John. Sadly, after cutting himself while shaving, John developed lockjaw, and died tragically in 1842. Thoreau, who was only 25 at the time, was deeply affected by the loss of his brother. During his two year stay in his cabin on the shore of Walden Pond, he wrote an account of a two week boat trip he took with John in August of 1839. The brothers built a boat and began their...

The Maine Woods is a characteristically Thoreauvian book. A personal account of exploration, of exterior and interior discovery in a natural setting, conveyed in taut, workmanlike prose. Thoreau's evocative renderings of the life of the primitive forest--its mountains, waterways, fauna, flora, and inhabitants--are valuable in themselves. But his impassioned protest against despoilment in the name of commerce and sport, which even by the 1850s threatened...

The inspiration for The Durrells in Corfu, a Masterpiece production on public television: A naturalist’s account of his childhood on the exotic Greek island.
 
When the Durrells could no longer endure the gray English climate, they did what any sensible family would do: sold their house and relocated to the sun-soaked island of Corfu.
 
As they settled into their new home, hilarious mishaps ensued...

Bryson share his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail with a childhood friend. The two encounter eccentric characters, a blizzard, getting lost, and rude yuppies along the way.

"In 1899, railroad magnate Edward H. Harriman organized a most unusual summer voyage to the wilds of Alaska: He converted a steamship into a luxury "floating university," populated by some of America's best and brightest scientists and writers, including the anti-capitalist eco-prophet John Muir. Those aboard encountered a land of immeasurable beauty and impending environmental calamity. More than a hundred years later, Alaska is still America's most...

"Legendary travel writer Paul Theroux fearlessly drives the entire length of the US-Mexico border, then goes deep into the hinterland, on the back roads of Chiapas and Oaxaca, to uncover the rich, layered world behind today's brutal headlines."--Provided by publisher.

Robert Pinsky is Professor of English at Boston University and an editor of the weekly online magazine Slate. He is the author of many books of poetry and literary criticism. He served two terms as United States Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, 1997-2000. This new paperback edition of Henry D. Thoreau's compelling account of Cape Cod contains the complete, definitive text of the original. Introduced by American poet...

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a fascinating case study of a large city in the developing world. With around 10 million people as the city enters the 21st century, this is a mega city with a mix of traditional and Western land uses. The program covers the main activities and problems. Despite the difficulties, the Thai residents go about their daily lives with a minimum stress, which reflects on their culture. A visit to some major tourist attractions...

Kangaroo Island (KI), South Australia, is Australia's third-largest island. A popular tourist destination, KI has many ecotourism attractions. The program follows a group of Geographers and others discovering landscapes, landforms, animals and their habitats, communities and heritage. An aim is to show the major attractions and how good management leads to protection of natural and cultural environments and sustainable tourism. Content includes:...