Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

• GET THE INSIDE SCOOP - loads of specialist contributions by experts in Antarctica's history, ecology and scientific research

• GO WILD - know your albatross from your snow petrel with our comprehensive wildlife section

• GET THERE - choose the best tour, expedition or flyover with our detailed transportation chapter

• FIND YOUR WAY - 52 detailed maps to help you keep your bearings

• TALK THE TALK - handy glossary of unique Antarctic slang and terminology

Average Customer Rating:

Best travel guide for Antarctica

Customer Rating:

Not only is this the best travel guide for Antarctica on the market, but it is incredibly fun to read! Much more than a travel guide, this book teaches you about the history and culture of Antarctica and its surrounding islands. As might be expected, wildlife also comprises a significant portion of the book. A few shortcomings: I wish that more detail would have been given to the sub-Antarctic islands. Wikipedia covers these in more detail than the book, and that is disappointing. I also expected more maps, particularly in the islands component. I would have also liked to see more color pictures and would have gladly paid extra for them - LP should realize that most purchasers of this book are not going to be able to go to Antarctica anytime soon and so we are experiencing it through these images. Again, outstanding book - be sure to pick up the Falkland Islands LP guide if you like this one!

Best Guide You Can Buy

Customer Rating:

I am involved with a Canadian research group that takes high school students to Antarctica for research and study. The Lonely Planet Guide to Antarctica was sent to us by the group to use as a primary source for learning about and preparing for the trip. My daughter and I both utilized a copy of the book for advanced planning prior to her depature. She took a copy with her and I had a copy with me. I read the majority of the book while she was preparing and continued to consult the book while she traveled. I found it to have an amazing amount of information and I really could not find anything missing from the book that I thought I needed. In addition, my daughter found it incredibly useful as the ship she was aboard traveled from site to site. She could research the next stop at night, and be totally prepared for arrival by morning. If you are planning to get only one guide book for a trip to Antarctica, I would recommend this book highly. Small enough to take with you in your carry on, yet large enough to be able to answer almost any question you can imagine!

Travel Research for Antarctica

Customer Rating:

This book is a good start in discovering the many and varied ways to explore Antarctica. While the southern continent is not the usual destination for the weak of heart or wallet, Lonely Planet does give a very good presentation on the possibilities of travel to the deep south. While it mostly concentrates on the Penninsular side of Antarctica, it does give sufficient information to plan a trip there, as well as the difficulties and options for travel. Most travellers to the southland will find it to be quite expensive, though for many it is a worthwhile trip to see such a magnificent place that so few have had the opportunity to visit. Unfortunately it does not always give the most up to date information, particularly for the rest of the continent. It also glosses over the various scientific research projects that go on down there sponsored by the many countries that operate research stations on the continent. While Antarctica is an amazing place, increased tourism will likely lead to damage and pollution to this mostly pristine environment. The upcoming International Polar Year research will undoubtedly renew interest in the Antarctic.

Future trip to Antarctica	Customer Rating:
My friend and I are off on an adventure to Antarctica in February and this book offered by Lonely Planet and authored by Jeff Rubin has been very informative and helpful in many aspects. I purchase all my travel books printed by Lonely Planet.

great backgrounder

Customer Rating:

If you're one of the few actually going to Antarctica, this book will give you an excellent background on the White Continent. It's not necessarily the best for planning a trip -- you'll get more up-to-date cruise ship info. online. But Lonely Planet will tell you all about the different possible landing spots, which can help you choose which tour to take. There's also good details about the most common embarkation points for Antarctica cruises. This book was handy when my husband & I planned our trip to the peninsula, which we chronicle in our DVD "T&T's Real Travels in Antarctica" (also available on amazon.com).