The South Pole: A Book to Begin On

Form: Non-fiction

Year: 1968

Publication history:

• 1968 : The South Pole: A Book to Begin On (hc) , Holt Rinehart Winston, 68-11842

The fascination which the South Pole has long held for young and old alike is colorfully captured in a new Book to Begin On, the first book on this subject especially designed for use at the first through third grad level.

Since 1773, explorers have risked their lives to reach the fabled bottom of the world. Lee Sebastian, author of Rivers: A Book to Begin On, describes the forbidding location of the South Pole, the continent of Antarctica, the land of eternal ice, and tells of the surprisingly large population of living creatures who are able to survive there. In an especially engrossing section, Mr. Sebastian gives an account of the explorers who have attempted to reach the South Pole -- from Captain Cook, who thought he would find a pleasantly warm land inhabited by people; to Roald Amundsen, who actually reached the Pole in 1911; and the courageous Robert Falcon Scott, who also reached the Pole , but did not survive the return journey.

The intriguing narrative ends with a description of the South Pole today and in the future -- as a permanent base for scientists, as a rich source of mineral wealth beneath the ice, and even as a lure for tourists who are fascinated by this strange land at the bottom of the worlds.

Another of Silverberg's books about the South Pole, this one aimed (I believe) at younger readers, and a companion to the other Lee Sebastian book, Rivers: A Book to Begin On. I have seen this title listed as "A Book to Begin With," but I think that is incorrect, judging by the cover blurb.