Under The Microscope

A YEAR ON ICE, by Warren Herrick; Shoal Bay Press, 1997; 144 pp; $39.95

Reviewed by Robyn Guy

If you were thinking about going to Antarctica, this would be a great book to examine how the continent affects both individuals and groups, focusing on the tightly knit community of Scott Base. This book covers the important events of the polar year and how the people enjoy or endure them. The chapter on McMurdo enlightens you on the communication between the two sites and how things bring the bases together, such as the bowling alley.

The author dances you through the polar year, both explaining and showing you important events of the year and specific things that happened to this particular group of Kiwis in the deep south. You can really feel the isolation during the deep, dark winter as events unfold at Scott Base. You learn how the eleven people wintering over deal with one another and with the isolation, which with the advent of telephones and electronic mail is no longer so isolated but nonetheless lonely.

As for photographs, this book does not lack in spectacular shots of the southern continent, but it does show the other events down on the ice -- fire training, for example, which is something few of us think about. It also reveals the practical work that goes on, and has some sensible advice on how to keep yourself busy between work time and sleep time. A Year On Ice is full of interesting events and activities. By the end of the book you wish you had been there, which could be dangerous if you see the ads in the paper the next day for positions on the ice. It's an experience few have, but thousands want.

Robyn Guy lives in Christchurch