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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
I don't know that I would have selected this book on my own, but it was a good book club read. Lopez is passionate about the Arctic, and forces the reader to look past the sterile icy stereotype. The first third of the book focused on the wildlife of the region, and was tough to get through, but once he started talking about the Arctic peoples and the history of Arctic exploration I found it quite interesting. Lopez is a talented writer, which is clearly why Arctic Dreams won the National Book Award.
If you want to read nearly 400 pages about Arctic animals and birds, this book is for you
informative
slow-paced
an enlightening look at an ecosystem i rarely think about. very white male centric, maybe unavoidable but because of this it got repetitive. more eskimo and female perspectives would have been preferred
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This might be the most beautiful and memorable way I’ve ever seen someone write about animals. There aren’t a ton of different kinds of Arctic animals but he described each with such extensive detail and loving reverence, it was such a pleasure to read! Most of the book is about the animals and land in the Arctic in this way. There are also really cool descriptions of the way sea and land ice form and move around which was super cool to read!
I also really enjoyed his historical accounts of the native peoples living across the Arctic, and how totally unprepared for the harsh environment the western explorers were in contrast. The last chapter on the history of western exploration bored me though, just a lot of names and dates rattled off and none of the nature writing from the other chapters. But if that historical aspect is more interesting to you, he does try to bring a personal touch to each person/group.
Will definitely be reading more of this author :)
I also really enjoyed his historical accounts of the native peoples living across the Arctic, and how totally unprepared for the harsh environment the western explorers were in contrast. The last chapter on the history of western exploration bored me though, just a lot of names and dates rattled off and none of the nature writing from the other chapters. But if that historical aspect is more interesting to you, he does try to bring a personal touch to each person/group.
Will definitely be reading more of this author :)
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Much of the book is five star worthy but a couple things bothered me. The preface, prologue, and starting into the first chapter we’re so utterly verbose with SAT words that made it seem pretentious and unnatural. Fortunately that fizzled out, but I couldn’t forget it (haha).
The whole of the book is very scientific in nature, and while it maintains objectivity throughout there is still plenty of personal feeling to it that makes it so good and captivating. However, his “justification” of the use of “Eskimo” is off-putting, and the last chapter details centuries of primarily white men’s explorations of the Arctic. There are mentions and nods to indigenous cultures throughout but nothing quite so extensive as the white men trying to get the farthest through this unknown Northwest Passage. Fascinating as it may have been (though a bit dry with lots of names and dates) but without the same in-depth look and admiration for the indigenous people, it felt imbalanced and wanting in that regard.
Overall, still a great read and has definitely invigorated my desire to see some of the things he highlights.
P.S. as a bug lover/naturalist myself, why are the animal-focused chapters all on mammals? 😏
P.P.S this has a great explanation of the northern lights. I appreciated that.
The whole of the book is very scientific in nature, and while it maintains objectivity throughout there is still plenty of personal feeling to it that makes it so good and captivating. However, his “justification” of the use of “Eskimo” is off-putting, and the last chapter details centuries of primarily white men’s explorations of the Arctic. There are mentions and nods to indigenous cultures throughout but nothing quite so extensive as the white men trying to get the farthest through this unknown Northwest Passage. Fascinating as it may have been (though a bit dry with lots of names and dates) but without the same in-depth look and admiration for the indigenous people, it felt imbalanced and wanting in that regard.
Overall, still a great read and has definitely invigorated my desire to see some of the things he highlights.
P.S. as a bug lover/naturalist myself, why are the animal-focused chapters all on mammals? 😏
P.P.S this has a great explanation of the northern lights. I appreciated that.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
beautiful and haunting. Covers every facet of the arctic, except climate change, which, of course, impacts every topic of every chapter. I hope Lopez writes an addendum.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
If I wasn’t already obsessed by the Far North, this book has pushed me off the deep end in the best way. Lopez is such a thoughtful writer, and yet his descriptions of his journeys and natural observations don’t lose any vividness. You feel like you are in the presence of a smart, compassionate, and gracious guide. Lopez’ conceptions of the Arctic land are wonderful to read and it is great to have this white author bring so much indigenous culture and knowledge into the book. He regards the land in quite spiritual tones, imploring us as humans to recognize how the land is alive, not the inherently alterable canvas for human consumption and wealth gain. I’ve got many pages bookmarked where his musings were really powerful to me, and I’m excited to reread this book and read more of Lopez’s work.