Antarctica revolves around a near-future plot by
environmentalist radicals. Funding for scientific research is down,
forcing hard choices for science work in Antarctica. The international
treaty protecting Antarctica has expired. Corporations are beginning to
exploit natural resources in Antarctica. The environmentalists consider Antarctica the last wilderness essentially unharmed by direct human activity. They intend to push the issue.
Readers may find it
interesting to get a view of life in the central administrative town in Antarctica, life at a scientific research "town", smaller research stations, the
Antarctic landscape and climate, etc. We also learn about early Antarctic
exploration. It is also an interesting setting for an adventure story and
a different kind of intrigue story.
Wade Norton is an assistant
to a US Senator. He has been sent to Antarctica to look into the issues
there. Throughout the story he learns about Antarctica for us. We
find pure-science scientists, corporate resource exploration scientists,
science organization administrators, people who'd like to be doing science
stuck in menial jobs, Antarctica tours, environmental activists...
The plot turns are generally
good. There is more to think about than in a simple good guy vs. bad guy
story. You won't get much future tech, but in a sense it is an
"unearthly" setting.