Terra Incognita

A modern classic on exploring and understanding the most uncharted place on our planet.A modern classic on exploring and understanding the Antarctic, the most uncharted place on our planet.Terra Incognita is a meditation on the landscape, myths and history of one of the remotest parts of the globe, as well as an encounter with the international temporary residents of the region - living in close confinement despite the surrounding acres of white space - and the mechanics of day-to-day life in extraordinary conditions. Through Sara Wheeler, the Antarctic is revealed, in all its seductive mystery.'Antarctica could hope for no better chronicler- spirited, humorous and highly intelligent, she is also a writer of rare talent' Observer

“Antarctica could hope for no better chronicler: spirited, humorous and highly intelligent, she is also a writer of rare talent”

Observer
Penetrating, vivacious and often amusing, Wheeler's record has a sharp authenticity The Times
She writes with a consistent wry wit... she never lacks empathy, compassion or generosity for people whose values, background and gender were the polar opposite of hers...What she has done could not be done better Independent
Her book is an impressive achievement, one genuinely brushed by the ghosts of the past -- Beryl Bainbridge Literary Review
Terra Incognita deserves to be a bestseller...a wonderful book and terrific corrective to the polar bulldust periodically emitted by Sir Ralph Wotsisname and others of his ilk Daily Telegraph

Sara Wheeler's books include the international bestseller Terra Incognita- Travels in Antarctica, of which the Telegraph reviewer wrote, 'I do not think there will ever be a better book on the Antarctic.' The Magnetic North- Notes from the Arctic Circle, was chosen as Book of the Year by Will Self, Michael Palin, A. N. Wilson and others. She has published two biographies of travellers- Cherry- A Life of Apsley Cherry-Garrard, and Too Close to the Sun- The Life and Times of Denys Finch Hatton, and was immensely relieved to write about women at last in O My America!. She lives in London.

'Antarctica could hope for no better chronicler: spirited, humorous and highly intelligent, she is also a writer of rare talent' Cressida Connolly, Observer After writing two highly praised travel books, Sara Wheeler was accepted by the American government to be the first foreigner on their National Science Foundation's Antarctic Artists' and Writers Program. She spent seven months on the continent, travelling from the fabled Ross Ice Shelf to the Pole itself, the remoter reaches of the West Antarctic ice sheet, and the balmy Antarctic Peninsula. Terra Incognita is a meditation on the landscape, myths and history of one of the remotest parts of the globe, as well as an encounter with the international temporary residents of the region - living in close confinement despite the surrounding acres of white space - and the mechanics of day-to-day life in extraordinary conditions. Through Sara Wheeler, the Antarctic is revealed, in all its seductive mystery. 'Every phrase, every observation twitches with life; every colour and shape seems her own...I found myself falling for this writer's strong, incisive wisdom even more than the ice sheet and penguins' Julie Myerson, Mail on Sunday 'Stunning...she never lacks empathy, compassion or generosity... What she has done could not be done better' Richard Eyre, Independent 'Her book has narrative drive, a scholarly grasp of geological and scientific fact and a true passion for the subject...an impressive achievement' Beryl Bainbridge, Literary Review 'I cannot believe that anything better will ever be written about Antarctica' Geoffrey Moorhouse, Daily Telegraph 'Penetrating, vivacious and often amusing, Wheeler's record has a sharp authenticity' The Times 'To be read tucked up in bed with two hot water bottles, the beginnings of a cold, and November beating against the window' Scotland on Sunday

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