Empire Antarctica
Ice, Silence & Emperor Penguins
(Author) Gavin FrancisWINNER OF THE SCOTTISH BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD Shortlisted for the Costa Biography Prize, RSL Ondaatje Prize, Banff Adventure Travel Prize and Saltire Book of the Year Award Book of the Year for the Financial Times, Sunday Herald, Scotsman A travel book pick for the Sunday Times and the National Geographic Gavin Francis spent fourteen months in one of the remotest places in the world: Halley, a research station in Antarctica. Storm-locked and frozen, it is said to be easier to evacuate a casualty from the International Space Station than it is to bring someone out of Halley in winter. In the icy emptiness of Antarctica, where one misstep outdoors can mean death but the confined corridors of Halley can drive you mad, Gavin challenges himself to thrive at the ends of the earth. In the penguin colonies, a species utterly adapted to the harsh environment, he finds community, inspiration and joy.
Gavin Francis
Gavin Francis is a Scottish writer and physician known for his insightful explorations of the human body, medicine, and the natural world. He has authored several acclaimed works, including "Empire Antarctica," a memoir of his experiences as a doctor at a research station in Antarctica. Francis's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, deep empathy, and keen observation of the world around him. His works often blend personal narrative with scientific inquiry, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of medicine and literature. Francis's contributions to literature have helped to redefine the genre of medical memoir, inspiring readers to reflect on the complexities of the human experience.