Sale's book reminds us of two things. First, the history of the Arctic, from ancient indigenous peoples shaving off nickel-rich iron from fallen meteorites to the voyages of Norsemen, Frobisher and Bering, is fascinating. Second, the future of the Arctic, such a vulnerable locale, should be everyone's concern. The environmental case for acting quickly has secured broad concensus but, with our geopolitical heads on, we shouldn't forget that a scramble to exploit the Arctic's resources might just set the world on fire. This intellectual account raises the heat on issues such as global warming, ownership, exploitation and conflict for what isthought to be one of the defining issues of the next decade and the last colonial scuttle. Accessible and compelling. Represents a well-researched and clearly written account of the signal failure of humanity to develop adequate protection for this great natural wonderland. I commend this book if only to help us all understand the issues which confront the Arctic over the coming decades.

Recommended reading A dark outlook, but not without colour in its telling. Packed with fascinating information on wildlife and is highhly recommended to naturalists, students and teachers as well as to a wider readership. Sale provides an authoritative summary of the main issues confronting governments and corporations, and the consequences for the descendants of the original inhabitants. Richard Sale writes with neat, scholarly precision, detailing the history of the region, its ecology and what the future is likely to bring both politically and geologically.