First, I had a request for a review of a science fiction book. Then a friend sent me the book, "Antarctica," given my recent trip to Antarctica. So it is done.

        This is a sci-fi book but you would not realize that for the first part of the book. Robinson spends a lot of time fleshing out the characters, describing Antarctica in excellent and fascinating detail. It has been said that Antarctica resembles Mars, the planet. Perhaps so. Robinson had an award-winning sci-fi trilogy currently referred to as the "Mars Trilogy" and consisting of three books, "Red Mars" and "Green Mars" and "Blue Mars."  "Antarctica" is such a compelling and enjoyable read that I went straight to my favorite book dealer and bought these three for future reading.
        The pace may seem a little slow, heavy with geological and geographical descriptions which may bore some readers to tears. Stick with it because you will eventually see why it was necessary to establish a solid sense of place. Robinson also very cleverly works in the history of Antarctic exploration, along with his own experience in Antarctica. He actually spent almost eight weeks at the South Pole, exploring and learning all he could before he wrote this book. His research is extensive and very well done.
        A complex social structure is apparent in the main settlement; the Antarctica Treaty pretty much dictates that everyone and anyone who sets foot in the area is a dedicated environmentalist; and as in anything with any sort of potential, governmental meddling takes place early on. Wade Norton, one of the three main characters, has been sent to Antarctica by a visionary senator to investigate possible environmental sabotage. The story is staged early in the 21st Century, actually it could be now. The international intrigue, the involvement of multinational corporations who hope to tap into the - what else - oil reserves and the exposed layers of social behavior and interaction are extremely well combined to present a stage for a good story. Another main character is a professional Antarctic mountaineer who leads "extreme treks" following in the footsteps of Shackleton and Scott. Val is as tough as any man and as feminine as any woman. A "grunt" labor, basic meat-and-potatoes guy rounds out the main cast. His name is X and he knows a little about lots but very little about himself;  throw in a Chinese poet, Ta Shu, who is making an actual virtual documentary.  There are more characters and each plays a well-defined role in the story. You are convinced early on that it is COLD in Antarctica. Most who go to Antarctica are captured by the environment, the cleanliness, the lack of pollution and the vast, open spaces. The characters in this story were. I was. I want to go back.
        Things disappear. Big things: a power generator, a trailer full of cargo. There are no trees here. There is really nowhere to hide. The plot enlarges and becomes apparent. The action goes full force.  All in all, this is a good book. Whether the term, "science fiction" really applies, I am not sure. Some of the science fiction may be reality soon. However, it is categorized as science fiction, so there you have it.
    I will write another sci-fi review, I promise. Meanwhile, read "Antarctica" to learn a lot about our last unspoiled - yet - continent and see how soon you can figure it all out. The conclusion leaves an obvious opening for a sequel. I, for one, hope so.

Lorellei

 Thanks to Loopy^ for this one!

Gumbo for the Heart and Mind

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered... not yelled.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway
Don't judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to someone else.