![\"No](\"https:\/\/www.lesestunden.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/niemandsland_2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nKluyver writes about Amundsen\u2019s expedition to the South Pole. His focus, however, lies on the dogs \u2014 on how mercilessly Amundsen treated them and how crucial they were to the expedition\u2019s 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\u2019s wife \u2014 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\u2019 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 \u2014 you can feel the atmosphere, the powerful aura of this remote place on every page.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I found every single story wonderful. Each has its own tone, its own twist, each is thrilling to read \u2014 and at some point, I simply couldn\u2019t 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\u2019s never dull. I devoured the description of Amundsen\u2019s expedition \u2014 it\u2019s 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 \u2014 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<\/em> in 1915. It\u2019s simply wonderful reading \u2014 utterly cinematic, deeply immersive, and hard to let go of.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The book contains numerous illustrations \u2014 maps of the regions described in each story, photographs from Kluyver\u2019s 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\u2019s being told. It all fits together beautifully. I did, however, wish that Kluyver\u2019s own travel photos were in color \u2014 the black and white sometimes felt limiting, though in some cases, like the image of the sailing ship Europa<\/em> among icebergs, it actually looks fantastic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n 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\u2019s the perfect gift. When it comes to book design, few can rival mare Verlag \u2014 their books are not only beautiful but always superbly produced.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While reading, I caught myself repeatedly watching videos of Antarctica. On YouTube, you can find some stunning 4K drone flights over Antarctica<\/a> \u2014 they\u2019re simply breathtaking. I also found myself browsing the planned voyages of the MS Cape Race<\/a>. It doesn\u2019t 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\u2019ve already visited so many of these places \u2014 and once again, this one inspired me to order several more books on polar expeditions, including The Quiet Hero<\/em><\/a> by Michael Smith. I\u2019d been circling that book for quite some time, but now I\u2019m just so eager for more polar adventures that I had to have it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Conclusion:<\/strong> Sometimes you pick up a book expecting light entertainment \u2014 and end up completely enthralled, unable to put it down. That\u2019s exactly what happened to me with Niemandsland<\/em>. It\u2019s a wonderful book \u2014 thrilling, entertaining, educational, and fascinating, with its many diverse stories and anecdotes. Amundsen\u2019s dogs, the hollow Earth theory, poems about the Arctic, albatrosses, penguin research, the first woman in Antarctica, Nobu Shirase\u2019s polar voyage as a framing narrative, Kluyver\u2019s 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Book information:<\/strong> Niemandsland<\/em> \u2022 Adwin de Kluyver \u2022 mare Verlag \u2022 368 pages \u2022 ISBN 9783866487093<\/p>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … <\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n