Driving to Greenland

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Snow and ice warm Stark's heart, and in this collection of a dozen essays, most of which appeared in the Smithsonian and Outside, he envelops readers in the frigid charms of ski jumping, narwhal hunting, dogsledding, iceboat sailing, skating on thin ice and kayak-making. One chapter is gleefully devoted to connoisseurs' names for different kinds of snowflakes and the mysteries of their structure, another to descriptions of bad and good ice and prescriptions for making the latter. Besides providing appreciations of the beauties of snowflakes, newly fallen snow and good ice, Stark's account of his journeys to Greenland and Iceland is filled with rare tidbits about both countries and his daring adventures there. Instructive and enchanting. (Oct.)

Library Journal

Part autobiography, part travelog, this book energizes and invigorates the reader with vivid descriptions of ski jumping, sledding, skating, sea kayaking, and hunting in the coldest regions of North America, Greenland, and Iceland. Stark loves snow and shares his passion in 12 delightful essays. His descriptions and emotions are especially strong in the title essay, a fascinating account of his trip from Missoula, Montana, to Greenland in the endless light of summer. He even includes an entire chapter on different types of snow. An interesting purchase for the lover of winter sports and armchair travelers.-Janine Reid, Jefferson Cty. P.L., Lakewood, Col.