This book captures the essence of the human spirit against the backdrop of the globe s most hostile natural environments. It is a visual account of some of Copeland s seminal polar crossings on the Arctic sea ice, Greenland, and Antarctica, where humans are dwarfed by superlative conditions. It chronicles the toil, the tools, and the scale. But mostly, it is an invitation to the voyage. Exploration is what we do when we are born, Copeland says. It is society that dulls that curiosity. In the process of documenting this book, Copeland was beaten by gales; blinded for days by total whiteouts; lost parts of his toes to frost; broke ribs; survived hurricane-strength storms at sea; scuba-dived under icebergs and everything in between. The frigid temperatures are a challenge for everything, particularly the equipment. With nothing but sky and frozen matter for months, the visual monotony could seem underwhelming. On the contrary, says Copeland, no two days have looked alike. The physical challenge of the ice is the rite of passage into a world of adventure on a scale that is unmatched anywhere. Polar Explorations takes the reader along for the ride. It tinkers with the gear, shares the tug of the heavy sledge, and teases the spirit as it pull toward the wide-open space of an otherworldly earth. It is a visually arresting ode to that most fundamental human pursuit and its history. It is an open door to dream.

About the Author
In 2017, Sebastian Copeland was named one of 25 of the world's top adventurers of the last 25 years. With approximately 5,000 miles under his skis in the polar regions, Copeland has led numerous expeditions to document the endangered ice, reaching both North and South Poles on foot. Noted as a photographer 'who has produced works that are of outstanding artistic merit and communicate messages of urgent global significance,' Copeland was named Photographer of the Year twice by the IPA for his books (2007 and 2020) and twice by TIFA (2016 and 2020). Copeland has addressed audiences at the UN, governments, universities, and many Fortune 500 companies to warn of the systemic transformations taking place in the polar regions and their geopolitical consequences. In 2019, Copeland was knighted by French President Emmanuel Macron in the National Order of Merit. He is a fellow of The Explorers Club, a member of the International Glaciology Society, and spent 15 years on the board of President Gorbachev's NGO Global Green USA. Jimmy Chin is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, National Geographic photographer, and professional mountain sports athlete. He has led or participated in cutting-edge expeditions around the word for more than 20 years. He has climbed and skied Mount Everest from the summit and made significant first ascents on all seven continents, including the Shark's Fin on Mount Meru. His photographs have graced numerous covers of National Geographic Magazine and the New York Times Magazine.

Reviews
"Sebastian Copeland is a friend who has spent his years living an adventure, traveling to the polar ice, both north and south, warning of systemic transformations taking place from climate deviations and their global implications. His latest book, Polar Explorations: To the Ends of the Earth, is a unique and immersive look into the cold art of polar travel and is truly visually stunning." -Leonardo DiCaprio


Awards
Commended for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards (Nature) 2022.



Book Information
ISBN 9780847870875
Author Sebastian Copeland
Format Hardback
Page Count 208
Imprint Rizzoli International Publications
Publisher Rizzoli International Publications