Arctic Dreams

National Book Award Winner

By: Barry Lopez

Narrated by: James Naughton

Winner of the National Book Award

This bestselling, groundbreaking exploration of the Far North is a classic of natural history, anthropology, and travel writing.

The Arctic is a perilous place. Only a few species of wild animals can survive its harsh climate. In this modern classic, Barry Lopez explores the many-faceted wonders of the Far North: its strangely stunted forest, its mesmerizing aurora borealis, its frozen seas. Musk oxen, polar bears, narwhal, and other exotic beasts of the region come alive through Lopez’s passionate and nuanced observations. And, as he examines the history and culture of the indigenous people, along with parallel narratives of intrepid, often underprepared and subsequently doomed polar explorers, Lopez drives to the heart of why the austere and formidable Arctic is also a constant source of breathtaking beauty, beguilement, and wonder.

Written in prose as memorably pure as the land it describes, Arctic Dreams is a timeless mediation on the ability of the landscape to shape our dreams and to haunt our imaginations.

Look for Barry Lopez's new book, Horizon, available now.

Critic reviews

“Extraordinary. . . . A master nature writer.” —The New York Times Book Review

“One of those landmark works of travel writing.” —The New Yorker

“Dazzling. . . . Treats the distant, snowy world of the Arctic as a place that exists not only in the mathematics of geography but also in the terra incognita of our imaginations.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

“Lopez is. . .the most important living writer about wilderness. . . . [Arctic Dreams is] his masterpiece.” —The Guardian

Prepare to be inspired.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - so much so that I was sorry when it came to an end. About a third of the way through the book I knew I had to listen to/or read more of Barry Lopez’s works. What an inspiration - his detailed and entertaining knowledge of the natural world, and his appreciation of human nature and understanding of our place in the world is I believe unique. I cannot imagine someone finishing this book without being impacted in a very positive way. It should be required reading for anyone in a position to influence the policy affecting our natural world.

Awesome

It is an amazing experience to listen to this book. It transports one into an incredible journey and deep appreciation for the Arctic.

Beautiful story

Wonderful story, presentation and narration is excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. One of the better books that I have read lately.

Very informative

Particularly liked the chapter that covered narwhals. I didn't know their "horn" is actually a tooth.

BEAUTIFUL

Just finished this absolutely amazingly beautiful book.
The stories of the people and the animals in the Arctic.
It is amazing to contemplate what men drives to explore unforgiving parts of the world.
Mr. Lopez was an amazing author. In researching, I found out that he is no longer with us.
This is the second book by him I have listened to and it certainly will not be the last one.
In many ways he is quite philosophical.
As always “ Google Earth” is a helpful tool to locate the areas mentioned in the book.
The narrator, mr. James Naughton is such a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK.