Niemandsland • Adwin de Kluyver

This book almost slipped past me, but once I discovered it, I immediately knew I had to read it. A book about Antarctica that collects various anecdotes and stories about this remote and fascinating continent. It instantly reminded me of some exciting books about polar expeditions, and this one sounded like it would be full of exactly those kinds of tales. The beautifully designed and illustrated book then completely surprised me.

The Dutch historian Adwin de Kluyver was fascinated by Antarctica and, after some initial difficulties finding a suitable way to travel there, finally set out for the icy continent. While describing his own journey aboard the sailing ship Europa, he follows in his narrative the trail of the Japanese Antarctic explorer Nobu Shirase. Shirase failed in his attempt to reach the South Pole, as Amundsen got there first, traveling in a far more professional manner. Kluyver’s travel notes and his reflections on Shirase’s Antarctic expedition form the framework of the book — a kind of red thread connecting a wealth of anecdotes and stories. And these stories truly captivated me. They cover a wide range of topics, illuminating different facets of Antarctica. Each story is interesting, sometimes highly exciting, sometimes entertaining, and always full of things you didn’t know before — things that are simply fascinating.

Kluyver writes about Amundsen’s expedition to the South Pole. His focus, however, lies on the dogs — on how mercilessly Amundsen treated them and how crucial they were to the expedition’s success. He also writes about Scott, another polar explorer who unfortunately did not succeed in his attempt to reach the South Pole. Yet the central figure of that story is Scott’s wife — how she dealt with the tragedy and how it ultimately shaped her fate. Another story deals with the discovery of the Strait of Magellan in the 16th century; another chapter recounts John Cleeves Symmes’ belief in a hollow Earth. One chapter is dedicated to albatrosses, another to a researcher who studied penguin behavior and made astonishing discoveries. The book also explores how nations laid claim to Antarctica, the story of the first woman to take part in an Antarctic expedition, a literary utopia about the southernmost continent, and several other truly fascinating tales. The range is broad, pleasantly varied, never boring, often pointed, and always carries meaning beyond the words themselves. And of course, Antarctica is ever-present — you can feel the atmosphere, the powerful aura of this remote place on every page.

I found every single story wonderful. Each has its own tone, its own twist, each is thrilling to read — and at some point, I simply couldn’t put the book down. The fascination with this remote, inhospitable place is contagious, and you find yourself imagining what it would be like to face that isolation yourself. You get a sense of what it must be like there and can understand what drove people to explore such a region. The shifting themes ensure it’s never dull. I devoured the description of Amundsen’s expedition — it’s as gripping as a well-made documentary. Some parts truly surprised me, and I learned a lot. For example, penguin behavior, which in some ways astonishingly mirrors human behavior (traits I had assumed were uniquely human). Or the fact that an albatross can fly up to 1,800 kilometers in 24 hours — locking its wings in place and gliding immense distances without a single flap. And then de Kluyver connects this bird to the poets Wordsworth and Coleridge, spanning in one story a bridge all the way to the sinking of the Endurance in 1915. It’s simply wonderful reading — utterly cinematic, deeply immersive, and hard to let go of.

The book contains numerous illustrations — maps of the regions described in each story, photographs from Kluyver’s own journey, as well as historical photos and portraits of the figures featured in the chapters. These visuals enhance the reading experience and make it easier to picture what’s being told. It all fits together beautifully. I did, however, wish that Kluyver’s own travel photos were in color — the black and white sometimes felt limiting, though in some cases, like the image of the sailing ship Europa among icebergs, it actually looks fantastic.

The book itself is once again beautifully made. I really like the printed linen cover. The matching blue ribbon marker is another lovely touch. The paper, printing, and typography are all of outstanding quality. The book feels great in the hand and exudes craftsmanship. It’s the perfect gift. When it comes to book design, few can rival mare Verlag — their books are not only beautiful but always superbly produced.

While reading, I caught myself repeatedly watching videos of Antarctica. On YouTube, you can find some stunning 4K drone flights over Antarctica — they’re simply breathtaking. I also found myself browsing the planned voyages of the MS Cape Race. It doesn’t sail to Antarctica, of course, but through the waters of the northern polar regions. Experiencing something like that would be a dream come true. Through books, I’ve already visited so many of these places — and once again, this one inspired me to order several more books on polar expeditions, including The Quiet Hero by Michael Smith. I’d been circling that book for quite some time, but now I’m just so eager for more polar adventures that I had to have it.

Conclusion: Sometimes you pick up a book expecting light entertainment — and end up completely enthralled, unable to put it down. That’s exactly what happened to me with Niemandsland. It’s a wonderful book — thrilling, entertaining, educational, and fascinating, with its many diverse stories and anecdotes. Amundsen’s dogs, the hollow Earth theory, poems about the Arctic, albatrosses, penguin research, the first woman in Antarctica, Nobu Shirase’s polar voyage as a framing narrative, Kluyver’s own impressions, and countless other tales make this an extraordinarily engaging yet effortlessly readable work. The photos and illustrations, the maps, and above all the beautiful, high-quality design make this book a true hidden gem. A great book that I devoured in no time and that will forever have a place on my bookshelf.

Book information: Niemandsland • Adwin de Kluyver • mare Verlag • 368 pages • ISBN 9783866487093