cover image Frozen Planet: A World Beyond Imagination

Frozen Planet: A World Beyond Imagination

Alastair Fothergill and Vanessa Berlowitz. Firefly, $39.95 (312p) ISBN 978-1-55407-991-9

BBC Earth spent three years working on a documentary series on the poles, sending crews to Antarctica and the Arctic to film wildlife, the small groups of people that eke out an existence there, and the ever-shrinking ice itself. This companion piece to the Frozen Planet documentary includes dozens of stunning photographs, a seasonal exploration of the frozen climes, and a section detailing the production of the show and the book. Fans of the series or nature documentaries in general will find this tome enthralling as an educational text and as a stunning collection of images. From detailed information on polar bear gestation and hibernation habits to a remarkable photo sequence of a pod of killer whales collaborating to kill a seal, the book sheds light on day-to-day life in the harshest of climates. The self-awareness of the photographers and producers (as evidenced by commentary on the process and pitfalls of shooting in these regions) creates an interesting dialogue about the relationship between humans and nature. Indeed, the volume ends with sobering data about climate change and its impact on the poles, rendering the previous breathtaking photographs as evidence of the beauty the world stands to lose if climate change is left unchecked. Photos. (Oct.)