Ice Rivers is a richly described account of the author’s work with glaciers. I particularly enjoyed it because of Wadham’s scientific expertise, which isn’t always present in nature books. The combination of the author’s personal experiences and scientific reflections was informative and really conveyed her passion for the field, which I liked. Another part that stood out was the section discussion the performance piece “The Dying Glacier”, and the fact that it made use of both art and science.

While in general I appreciated the level of scientific detail in Ice Rivers, at times I did feel it went too deeply into the hard science for my understanding (and I do have a science background!). I struggled to follow all the details of how the experiments worked, especially the ones related to geology and water flow. That said, I think the book overall was very strong and well-written.

Loved loved loved this book. I would definitely recommend and I’d pick it up to read again. I really enjoyed Jemma’s voice in the book, her personal thoughts as well as a deep and easy to follow exploration into the ice and the changing of our warming world.

So much more than a book about glaciers and ice sheets, fascinating though they are, this is also a deeply personal story of a scientists love affair with these enigmatic features of our planet. Travelling from continent to continent the secrets of these ice rivers are revealed to us with passion and joy, along with hints of the author’s own story of loss and courage: yet as each glacier is introduced and it’s quirks explained, it feels like their mystique grows, as if we will never fully understand them no matter how much of their science is uncovered. To me that is perhaps the most beautiful, yet saddest part of the book, as no matter how fast glaciologists work to capture the truth of these natural wonders, they’ll never be able to match the pace of their destruction by climate change. But, what a beautiful elegy Jemma Wadham has written, both in this book and her research over the years.

Fascinating and accessible memoir with insights into the science of glaciers and climate change.

Prompted by a near death experience, leading glaciologist Professor Jemma Wadham writes about her experience from 25 years of studying glaciers, or ice rivers, around the world. Each chapter focuses on a different region, explaining the unique characteristics and challenges, the effects of the damage already done and the consequences of any further warming, both for local communities and across the globe.

#IceRivers #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book, much easier to read than other non fiction books on similar themes. It was interesting and I found myself making notes which is always a great sign for a geography teacher!

I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful read. Jemma Wadham shares her love for glaciers and 25 years of experience working in the field with passion and enthusiasm, in words that are accessible to those of us who don't have her scientific background. Scientific facts are recounted with emotion, as she describes what we are losing and expresses her hope that we can turn the tide and make our world a better place to live in, for ourselves but also for future generations.

‘Ice Rivers’ is written by Professor Jemma Wadham, one of the world’s leading glaciologists and describes chapter by chapter many of the glaciers she has visited and studied over her illustrious twenty-five year career. She also describes the all too evident effect of climate change on the glaciers of the world and successfully argues why this should be of grave concern to us all.

There is plenty of science in this book, but the author’s accessible prose neither patronises nor alienates.

At a time when so many in the UK are restricted to spending much of their time either at or near to home, the descriptions of each country seem particularly evocative, placing the reader right next to the author on the icy glacier. Wadham also weaves into her narrative a number of frank events and experiences from her personal life, revealing her to be a remarkable woman.

An inspirational and highly informative read.

Thank you to NetGalley and X Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.