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1 - Introduction: The Problems of Polar History

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2023

By
Peder Roberts  and
Adrian Howkins
Edited by
Adrian Howkins  and
Peder Roberts
Adrian Howkins
Affiliation:
University of Bristol
Peder Roberts
Affiliation:
University of Stavanger
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Summary

Almost 100 years ago, the American Geographical Society (AGS) published an edited volume titled Problems of Polar Research, which started with the assumption that much remained to be learned about the Arctic and Antarctica. Edited by the geographer W. L. G. Joerg, an employee of the AGS, the volume contained chapters by many of the leading polar authorities of the day, most of whom were active participants in exploration and science.1 ‘Problems’ had a double meaning: the authors referred to inadequacies and gaps in the contemporary state of knowledge, but also to the excitement of the potential for advancing understanding in difficult conditions. The volume sought to inspire its readers to think further and address the challenges. We approached this present volume with a similar view.

Keywords

ArcticAntarctichistoryenvironmentgeopoliticsIndigenousresource extractionexplorationhistoriography
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge History of the Polar Regions , pp. 1 - 31
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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