Search - Big Dead Place: Inside the Strange and Menacing World of Antarctica

Large sized paperback. It's 90% about office politics and 10% about Antarctica.

A true account of what life is like working at Antarctica. The pecking order of the workers, the scavenger birds, even how human waste is taken care of. It was a real eye-opener!!

If you're looking for a book about Antarctic exploration and adventure, you should probably look elsewhere. This book is more of a scathing and honest look inside the life of a contractor in Antarctica. The Dilbert-esque view of how things operate at McMurdo alternates between hilarity and face-palming incredulity at the apparent incompetence of management.

I have over 15 years of experience with government contracts, so for those not steeped in the tradition of government contractors, let me assure you that I have no doubt that most of what the author says in this book is completely accurate. Sad, but true. Your tax dollars at work.

The book is a bit disjointed, but I believe the intent was to cover a year of working at McMurdo. Interesting side bits of historical information are thrown in from time to time, but the focus remains on management incompetence.

This isn't something most people would enjoy reading. I loved it, but I've got a rather odd sense of humor. I will say, though, that anyone considering doing contract work in Antarctica should consider this book a *must* read.