It was not always so, writes David Day, an author, historian and research associate at La Trobe University in Melbourne. Solid as a block of Antarctic ice itself, but no less readable for it, his latest book draws on five years of meticulous research to tell the story of human endeavour in Antarctica, the last continent to be discovered. It paints a poignant biographical picture of the characters involved, the gruelling expeditions undertaken, and the rivalries between nations as they raced to chart the continent and claim possession of it.

Antarctica is the only continent where there has never been war. No military activity is allowed there and scientific research is a priority. Defined as all of the land and ice shelves south of latitude 60 degrees south, the 5.5m square miles (14.2m square km) of the world's coldest, driest, windiest and most remote landmass are protected by the Antarctic Treaty, which came into force in June 1961 and designated the land "a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science".

Antarctica's future as a natural reserve is by no means assured. Whereas the treaty designed to protect it has certainly preserved peace and served as an example of co-operation between nations, the prospect of mineral and oil deposits under Antarctica's ice cap is attracting the attention of resource-starved countries and big business alike. In addition, environmental groups, scientists and tourists are all making their own demands. As Mr. Day writes, "For centuries, the Antarctic defied man's approach. Now its dangers and its terrors have been largely conquered. Only its future remains unknown." Thank you.