Antarctica

Description

The vast terrain covering the Earth's southernmost surface - extending from the islands off the tip of Argentina to the underbelly of the Australian continent - is home to some of the planet's most awe-inspiring landscapes. In this book, two of the foremost experts on this exotic corner of the world disclose the intriguing and often surprising realities behind Antarctica's panoramas. Patrick de Wilde, photographer, first ventured into the Arctic circle some twenty-five years ago; celebrated explorer Yves Paccalet's fierce passion for the Antarctic, which began as a childhood fascination, led him to the South Pole on board the Calypso as part of marine biologist Jacques Cousteau's team. While there, Paccalet came face-to-face with the Earth's roughest oceans and iciest landscapes; nevertheless, his experiences bear witness to the triumph of life in these seemingly hostile climates, where seals, albatross, and penguins abound. "Antarctica" offers a breathtaking voyage through the history of the Antarctic and an exclusive look into the future of this largely untouched natural wonderland.

Author description

Yves Paccalet is a philosopher, naturalist, and prolific writer. He worked in close collaboration with the renowned marine biologist Jacques Cousteau from 1972-90, and has published two encyclopedias, several novels, essays, illustrated books, and reviews in his native French. His most recent works include Deep Sea Odyssey (Hachette, 2004) as well as books about French legends and legends of the sea. Patrick de Wilde, photojournalist, was formerly editor-in-chief of the magazine Expansion Voyages and editor for Voyages d'affaires, Tour Hebdo, and Jeune Afrique magazines. For over twenty years, he has contributed to international travel and wildlife publications including BBC Wildlife, Grands Reportages, Terre sauvage, Animan, and Geo. He has published more than twenty books on subjects as diverse as Asian religions and American landscapes, including Safari (Flammarion, 2004).