An examination of Antarctica, from the first sightings to the heroic explorations of the late 18th and early 19th centuries to modern-day research, is presented in this book. Twelve chapters are as follows: (1) The search begins; (2) Whalers and sealers: bites and nibbles; (3) The new continent: first sight; (4) Wintering: the first party; (5) Exploration on land begins; (6) Coping with the basic problems; (7) Amundsen and Scott: the race for the Pole; (8) Shackleton: the survivor; (9) Mawson: the scientist-explorer; (10) The modern era; (11) Living and working in Antarctica: the new explorers; and (12) The future. A number of suggested activities are listed at the end of each chapter. Photos, maps, and illustrations appear throughout the book. There are four appendices: Appendix A--a chronological list of voyages of discovery and exploration; Appendix B--an index of wind pressure tabulation; Appendix C--a wind chill factor table; and Appendix D--a brief explanation of Antarctic seasons. A bibliography, a list of other resources, and a glossary conclude the volume. (DB)