It formed my idea about the continent. It is a long book, well written and told from several perspectives - which makes most of the main characters quite likable. It contains a lot of anecdotes and stories (also of the first expeditons), different life plans, action, majestic landscape, personal growth, social comment, environental issues and even some romance, all wrapped up in a relatebale novel set in the near future. I read Antarctica translated in German, and re-read many times, quite often with my kid (skipping some of the less interesting story lines).