Spitsbergen: Svalbard, Franz Josef, Jan Mayen, 3rd: The Bradt Travel Guide | 
| Author: Andreas Umbreit
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $12.44
You Save: $9.51 (43%)
New (18) Used (7) from $10.43
Avg. Customer Rating:  3 reviews
Sales Rank: 103530
Media: Paperback
Edition: Third
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 312
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.9
ISBN: 1841620920
Dewey Decimal Number: 914
EAN: 9781841620923
ASIN: 1841620920
Publication Date: August 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: NEW...Bradt trade paperback, 2005, No marks or defects...NEW...mailed in a Box w/delivery confirmation.
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Spitsbergen (locally referred to as Svalbard) is an antidote to modern-day life. Svalbard: The Bradt Travel Guide introduces ecotravelers to this fascinating part of the world; its intriguing land features, and the magical display of northern lights make it ideal for cruises, wilderness exploration, wildlife watching, and extreme sports. The guide is packed with essential information on travel preparations and local knowledge for those braving the Arctic elements.
This guide features:
>All the islands of the region that make up Svalbard territory, including Franz Josef Land and the tiny volcanic island of Jan Mayen
>Nature and conservation, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and migratory birds
>A survival guide to the Arctic with advice on getting outfitted for exploration
>Getting there and traveling around, cruise options and internal travel by skidoos and sleds
>A wide range of sports, including climbing, hiking, trekking, skiing, riding, and hunting
>A background to the climate and geology of the region
|
| Customer Reviews:
 The author gives a lot of information on the islands February 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This fascinating Travel Guide was written by long-time Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen resident and tour operator Andreas Umbreit. The book covers the Svalbard archipelago, Jan Mayen Island, and the Russian-owned Franz Josef Land Islands, giving such important information as the geology and geography of the islands, the climate, wildlife and conservation, history, and practical information. The later covering such useful information as getting there, tours, health and safety, and so forth. As an added bonus, the book contains quite a few, breathtakingly beautiful color pictures from that Ultima Thule.
Overall, I found this to be a fascinating book. The author gives a lot of information on the islands, focusing primarily on Spitsbergen. Indeed, even Longyearbyen city is discussed, giving such useful information as accommodations, getting around, shopping, eating, and so forth.
Now, even with a place as small as Spitsbergen, it is quite likely that the author missed out on some locations. Or, perhaps, being a tour operator, he focused on those locations that he gives tours of, and knows best. But, that said, I think he did a very good job of covering a good deal of information on those islands. I really enjoyed this book, and don't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in those northern islands.
 Suitable for information only - not for a travel guide August 23, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I purchased this book as a travel guide however it is more suited for those arm-chair readers. Having just returned from this region on an Artic cruise, many of the landings on my itinerary are not covered in this book. And many of the destinations in this book are rarely visited so I would not recommend this book as a travel guide to Svalbard. You will find more useful information on the search engines.
The author devotes too many pages on technical information rather than as a practical guide. Other travelers on the cruise had the same comment about this book being impractical.
Reliable Info on Northernmost Landmasses on Earth July 27, 2006
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book is a great source for curious minded people who wonder about those hidden Islands within 500 miles of the North Pole!
It is amazing to note that this island of Svalbard, most commonly noted as an obscure territory in the game "Risk," has such an astonishingly warm climate due to the same Mexican Gulf waters that fueled Hurricane Katrina! Its capital city is Longyearbyen and the highest temperature ever recorded here was 21.3 degrees Celsius, confirmed in this book and elsewhere. That's approximately 70 degrees farenheit and in proximity to the North Pole equal to that of Washington, DC in relation to Boston,Massachusetts. Interesting to note, eh?
I think there's multiple purposes of using this book, whether planning to camp out in this warm haven in the far north or learning what's at the top of your sphere, purchase this now!
|
|
|
