End of the Earth – Peter Matthiessen

Description

The author recounts his voyage through the islands around Antarctica, describing the region’s wildlife as well as the region itself while sharing historical information about the pioneers and adventurers who preceded him. 1st Printing. Signed. 242 pages. Published in 2003. Book-length account on subject. Now considered a contemporary classic. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Peter Matthiessen’s “End of The Earth: Voyages To Antarctica”. His journey to Antarctica, the remotest and bleakest End of the Earth. Matthiessen joined the crew of the “Akademik”, a 384-foot research vessel. Brilliant observations of the creatures inhabiting the continent are interspersed with a history of the region as well as the effects of pollution and climate change that have caused polar meltdown and the accelerated obliteration of the world’s land mass. “Matthiessen has once again lit upon a subject profoundly fitted to his creative genius. He is simply the ultimate lyricist of loss, a writer brilliantly attentive to the way vanishings are braided into even the most exquisite moments of our lives. He agonizes over what is passing away, but does so in a manner that increases our appreciation of what remains” (Publisher’s blurb). “No one in our time has voyaged farther and written better about our natural world” (Jim Harrison). After a year-long struggle with cancer, Peter Matthiessen died on April 5, 2014 at the age of 86. An absolute “must-have” title for Peter Matthiessen collectors.

This copy is very prominently and beautiful . This title is a contemporary classic. First Hardcover Edition/First Printing still available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. Lavishly illustrated with stunningly beautiful color plates. One of the greatest writers of the 20th century. A fine collectible copy.