This is the most comprehensive guidebook to the wildlife of the Arctic. Polar expert Richard Sale describes the ecological and human dynamics of the Arctic as a whole, with detailed information about the peoples of the region and its wildlife, severely threatened by both climatic change and the overwhelming pollution created by humankind.

Following sections on Arctic geology, geography, speciation and biogeography, the book provides extensive field coverage of all the region's mammals and birds. In-depth information on each species includes notes on identification, size, voice, distribution, diet, breeding, taxonomy and more.

The book features over 400 color photographs by Per Michelsen and Richard Sale, 200 range maps and index.