Reddit reviews Big Dead Place: Inside the Strange and Menacing World of Antarctica

I just finished a book about a guy working in Antarctica, Big Dead Place:

> When Johnson went to work for the U.S. Antarctic Program (devoted to scientific research and education in support of the national interest in the Antarctic), he figured he'd find adventure, beauty, penguins and lofty-minded scientists. Instead, he found boredom, alcohol and bureaucracy. As a dishwasher and garbage man at McMurdo Station, Johnson quickly shed his illusions about Antarctica. Since he and his co-workers seldom ventured beyond the station's grim, functional buildings, they spent most of their time finding ways to entertain themselves, drinking beer, bowling and making home movies.

The book is quite funny, highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the subject, especially if you have ever considered trying to get a job down there.

Regarding US stations, there's really only two options for what you want to do:

1. Get a job there. You'd have to apply, like the rest of us, for a contractor position. These are typically the only people that remain on base for extended periods of time. There may be a few long-term grantee positions too, but those are rare and often highly specialized (e.g., IceCube, NASA/RadarSat, and similar employers).
   
   
2. Get a grant through the NSF Artists and Writers program. They would provide transportation and lodging while you do your thing. Note that you'll probably need to show a strong portfolio of previous work to be considered.
   
   BTW, have you seen Werner Herzog's Encounters at the End of the World and, more recently, Anthony Powell's A Year on Ice? The latter would seem to be very similar to what you're proposing, although there is a lot more that could be said (more on people and their interactions as opposed to the Antarctic environment).
   
   P.S., Further reading: Nicholas Johnson's Big Dead Place, and Sara Wheeler's Terra Incognita.

Did you spend any time with Nicholas Johnson, author of Big Dead Place? One of my all time favorite books.

Have you read The Big Dead Place? If so what did you think of it?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0922915997/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00

Check out Big Dead Place by Nicholas Johnson. Pretty funny and interesting book.

Is life at McMurdo anything like the book Big Dead Place? It's an incredibly cynical account of a guy who went down there 10 or so years ago for a couple of seasons (including a winterover, I think - haven't read it in a few years) and worked in menial jobs.

He basically said it's boring, people are crazy, the bureaucracy is horrendous and they get through by drinking in secret dorm bars.

I read a really interesting memoir about being stationed at McMurdo. You’re essentially trapped in a building for months on end, and people tend to get a little odd after being there for a while. I think if you had a tendency to depression, it could really be exacerbated by the environment.

The book is titled Big Dead Place:

https://www.amazon.com/Big-Dead-Place-Menacing-Antarctica/dp/0922915997/

I've you've ever read about what it's like working in Antarctica, people there do silly shit all the time for the lulz.

I read a lot and am dating someone who has walls lined with books (literally, it's a bit scary, but great). Bourdain's shows are one of only a few things I'll watch on TV.

Anyway, I picked up a copy of Kitchen Confidential recently at a used book store and realized I'd never read any of his stuff. I was super impressed.

If you like it, I'd also recommend http://www.amazon.com/Big-Dead-Place-Menacing-Antarctica/dp/0922915997

It's another easy read. My favorite quote from any book is from it. I'm literally sitting her snorting thinking of it.

I prefer to think of Raytheon solely as the comedy authoritarian nitwits in Big Dead Place