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The Arctic islands are characterised by beautiful mountains and glaciers, in which the wildlife lives in delicate balance with its environment. It is a region with a long history of exploration and exploitation by humans, now experiencing rapid environmental change. Islands of the Arctic provides an insight into how the Arctic landscape has evolved and is continuing to be influenced by a wide-range of processes at the Earth's surface, both natural and man-made. It is richly illustrated with superb photographs from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Greenland, Svalbard and the Russian Arctic.
1. Introduction: the geography of the Arctic Islands
2. Evolution of the Arctic Islands
3. Weather, climate and atmospheric effects
4. Glaciers and ice sheets
5. Icebergs and sea ice
6. Frost action
7. Arctic coasts, rivers and lakes
8. The biotic environment: fauna and flora
9. Indigenous peoples, exploration and environmental islands
"[...] this book is the next best thing to being there."
– FOCUS
"You can tell when a book is written by enthusiasts – as this one certainly is, with evocative photographs on almost every page. It is well-organised with chapters on the natural world and on human activities. this is a handsome book and a good read [...] With its striking illustrations, this book will appeal to anyone who has ventured to these wilderness areas, and it may tempt others to set out that way."
– Geoscientist
"[...] an album with over 200 stunning photographs and diagrams, useful not only for the Arctic enthusiast and seasoned traveler but also the Arctic geosciences explorer, whether he is a beginner or well experienced in the field. The book provides lots of information about the landscape of the Arctic islands, and how it influences, and is influenced by, animals (including humans) and plants."
– Episodes
"This is an excellent introduction to the Arctic, providing a mine of information for the beginner and a visual feast for the seasoned enthusiast."
– The Good Book Guide
"Islands of the Arctic is a beautifully illustrated and nicely written account of the varied island environments of the polar north [...] Islands of the Arctic should be part of the required reading for all those interested in understanding the environmental and cultural threats facing the Arctic."
– Times Higher Education Supplement
"For those wishing to know something about the past, present, and future history of the Arctic islands, this book is both affordable and informative, and it carries the added attraction of being exceptionally scenic."
– Journal of Polar Record
"[...] I recommend this book very highly, and suggest that all readers put it on their Christmas or birthday list!"
– The Holocene
"[...] a beautifully illustrated, comprehensive introduction [...]"
– Stephen A. Royle, Queen's University Belfast
"[...] there is a good scientific explanation of most topics, particularly those related to glaciers (the main expertise if both authors). The maps are clear and informative and the whole provides a good overview of the environment of the Arctic islands [...] The strength of this kind of book is the ability to transport the reader to another part of the world and spent in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland [...] If you're into things cold and remote and appreciate some well written [...] science that won't break the bank, this book has a lot of recommend it."
– The Geographical Journal
"[...] the book successfully conveys polar scientists' fascination with the natural environment of the islands of the Arctic and introduces the reader to many of the past and ongoing processes that shape them."
– Polar Research
"At a first glance this is an attractive coffee table book with superb pictures on almost every page but it is much more than just a beautifully illustrated book [...] This book will appeal to students of geology and also to the general reader who is interested in learning about one of the Earth's last true wilderness areas [...] this is a book I should love to have on my bookshelf."
– Open University Geological Society Journal
