A History of the Arctic

A Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2013 * Award *
This is one of the few books in English (as well as, arguably, the best one) to deal with these themes from a widely comprehensive circumpolar perspective rather that a strictly national one. The chapter Crusades, for example, deals with the great age of exploration, 1800-1914, and examines not only those explorers familiar to English speakers, but also lesser-known Finns, Icelanders, Faroese, Greenlanders, and Russians. Indigenous people also figure large in these pages. This makes the book tremendously valuable as an added bonus, it is approachably and engagingly written. It should serve for some considerable time as the standard work on the subject . . . Essential. * Choice *
John McCannons book is a valuable and timely addition . . . its never dull, and [McCannon] possesses a keen eye for detail, especially in chronicling the regions wildlife and the painful transition from exploration to exploitation . . . This is a thoughtful, provocative study that should be read by anyone who cares about the Arctic's fate. * Geographical Magazine *
John McCannons narrative of Arctic offers a fascinating insight into a unique and little understood continent. Drawing upon an impressive intellect and a comprehensive bibliography, the author has sought to distil innumerable references and a wide range of subjects into a single authoritative volume . . . well written and certainly worth the jacket price for anyone who has an interest in the far north. * Naval Review *
From a historians perspective, the Arctic is unusual as a region defined by climate and environment, not historic ethnic boundaries. It imposes special demands on the historian, who must possess more than a superficial grounding in the geography, natural history, and ethnography of the region, along with some knowledge of the history of the varied nations that either border the Arctic or have intruded on it to some degree. A History of the Arctic has been written by someone who meets these requirements, which is fortunate for readers . . . an excellent synthesis and likely to become a widely referenced source on the Arctic. * Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research *
A remarkable voyage through the Arctic, from its misty past to contentious present. A graceful writer with a fine eye for telling detail, McCannon offers an exciting, broad-sweep tour . . . A must-read volume for the general public and scholars alike. * Ronald E. Doel, Associate Professor of History, Florida State University *
I have long sought an outstanding general environmental history of the Arctic only to be disappointed. John McCannons new work, A History of the Arctic, admirably fills this need. McCannon is at his best in explaining for a broad audience the complex interactions of environment, ecosystems, and humans of all nationalities and cultures in the Arctic. It is a thoughtful, broadly-considered, and sometimes provocative study that offers a transnational perspective on the profound changes over time taking place in this significant region. * Roger D. Launius, PhD, Senior Curator in the Division of Space History, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution *
A dazzling tour dhorizon . . . Anyone who cares about the Arctic should read this sobering book. Lets hope his gloomy predictions are wrong. I suspect he is right. * Klaus Dodds, Professor of Geopolitics, Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London *