I am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Subtitled ‘Foreign Policy and Competition in the Melting North”, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in the Arctic. The dramatic sub-title and perhaps not the best description for the contents of the book. The book, while addressing the sub-title, delivered much more to the reader about this region. The pre-publication description boasts “…a compelling case why the US must deepen its commitment to a region threatened by climate change and geopolitical rivalry.” I think the reader will make up their own mind on the ‘compelling’ description. This is a good book, perhaps not a great book; nevertheless it is worth reading for anyone wanting to learn about the Arctic Regions, the countries, their histories and the multiple issues they face today.

The author, a former journalist with significant experience as a US diplomat provides a concise history and current status of the Arctic countries and their near-Arctic neighbours, with respect to geography, sovereignty, culture, commerce and conflict as well as other relevant topics. This I found fascinating, learning a lot about the different cultures, the complex histories and international relationships. The book does an excellent job in these aspects, providing the reader with a good understanding of the past and how this shapes the views of Arctic inhabitants today. I particularly enjoyed reading about the journey to statehood of the Arctic Nations, not least the genesis of the current-day borders.

The chapters are largely written from a cultural-geographic perspective, beginning with the US and Canada, then moving to Europe and discussing Iceland, which only just makes it into the Arctic category thanks to a sliver of land within the Arctic Circle. Greenland is combined in a chapter with Denmark, Norway stands alone, Finland is discussed alongside Sweden. Russia comes last and due to its belligerent and aggressive actions over the last decade it stands apart from the other Arctic nations. A threat to stability while also being an important partner in many areas of shared-concern, albeit with different priorities and visions. These chapters are great reading, providing the multiple rich historical stories which form current views, perspective and visions.

No country stands alone regarding Arctic issues, and the important, indeed crucial international relationships, agreements and multiple collaborative initiatives are presented, explained and rightly encouraged. Of course other large and powerful countries and organisations play a role in the Arctic. China, NATO, the UN, the EU and other trans-national players see themselves as active participants in defining the future.

The books concluding chapters build upon the backgrounds provided by previous chapters, seeing the US as key to future stability in the region. Stability with respect to a warming climate as well as sovereignty, trade, defence, development and all the issues that are of concern to the peoples of the region. The US cannot do this alone. Indeed, given the multiple issues facing US today and its inattention to the Arctic over many years, it is questionable if Arctic stability will be maintained in the future. One particular example of the inattention has stayed with me since reading the book. The US has two ice-breakers. Made fifty years ago. Russia has abundant Arctic vessels. Even near-Arctic China has four. Tiny Finland has about a dozen.

The author urges collaboration and cooperation between Arctic Nations. And stresses the role of major international organisations and NGOs as also being crucial to the future. Although given the current military conflicts in the world today and of course Climate Change, one cannot help but note the failure of the International Community to provide solutions in a timely manner. One could perhaps be forgiven for being at least a little pessimistic about the future of the Arctic. Nevertheless, this book provides an excellent starting point for anyone to begin their understanding of the issues. I think this book deserves a wide readership. There really is something for everyone. From the casual reader curious about the Arctic to those from professional communities. Diplomats, scientists, military leaders, politicians, academics, journalists, business people, would all find something of value here.

I do have a some criticism of the book. The author makes her personal views clear on certain topics and whilst she is perfectly entitled to do so, I think there is a risk of alienating readers with such strident views, distracting from and adding little to the overall message of the book. For example, the author appears to fully embrace the initiatives from many in the West to prevent Climate Change. I think most people acknowledge mankind has some impact on the Earth’s climate. But, at risk of being labeled a ‘denier’, I would respectfully suggest there is still debate about the timeframe of change and whether we are facing what the author calls a “…nightmare scenario…” or perhaps something milder. And of course, the measures taken to avoid or mitigate Climate Change are very much not settled. In the West and certainly not in non-Western countries. To the authors credit she does discuss a natural oceanic phenomena which may cool significant areas in the Arctic. Interestingly this is presented gently as “…throwing a considerable wrinkle into climate change projections…”. A wrinkle versus a nightmare. It made me smile.

The other bias that emerges is a political, at times an almost anti-American tone. Those from the political Left are mostly presented in a favourable light while those from the Right are generally disparaged occasionally demonised, sometime labelled “…political appointees…”. In my view this is unnecessary and distracting.

Although these negative aspects are apparent in the initial chapters of the book, I would urge any reader not to be discouraged; perhaps to quietly sigh and continue reading. Abandoning the book early would be a mistake. This is a valuable book. Even a timely book. Providing a perspective from many peoples, many countries and from many cultural, economic, military and political viewpoints. All this adds to our understanding and appreciation of a unique part of the Earth, for not just the Arctic States, but for everyone.

I wish the author and her publishers all the very best with this well researched and engaging book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Columbia University Press for this Arc. This did not influence my review.

I am the type of annoying person who just kind of hates America’s self centered ideals. In my opinion they just butt into too many things for me not to dislike them. However, I do understand that due to Alaska’s existence, they do in fact kind of have the right to have a say in Arctic politics.

Overall, this book was not offensive and I did learn some new things about the history of these nations. However there were many parts that I found boring because I already knew it and so it was not as exciting. I do recommend this book even if I didn’t get much out of it because I think it could be a great entry point for people interested in environmentalism and politics. It does a great job of explaining the importance of the Arctic regions to the world and also how politics and relationships between economy and the governments can influence people’s lives and the world.

This is a fascinating new publication from Mary Thompson-Jones about America’s presence in the Arctic where she argues for its continual neglect within American politics to be addressed.

The parts I particularly appreciated about this book was Thompson-Jones’ frankness about the need for raising up indigenous voices in order to better understand cultural and political life within the Arctic, and in order to address the issues that have continually been ignored or de-prioritised by governments up until this point.

The section I found particularly fascinating was chapter 4, which looks at Iceland and its history as a country in the Arctic circle. Indeed, I would say that my favourite part about the book was how it addressed the history of each arctic nation and how that is influencing current day politics and international relations.

I would really recommend this to anyone looking at becoming better versed in the politics surrounding the arctic, in its history and its future.

Many thanks to Columbia University Press, Mary Thompson-Jones and Netgally for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
America in the Arctic will be published on the 25th of February 2025

In this fascinating book, Mary Thompson-Jones argues that the US needs to pay more attention to the Arctic, which hasn't been a priority for quite some time. However, with the region warming at a rapid rate, attention will be required one way or another. She points out that if the region is ignored, a price will be paid, since other countries are not hesitating to try to claim territory, use it for economic and military purposes, and access resources. She states that, in the US, "Few people are fully aware of all that is happening in the Far North and fewer still understand the multiple ways these changes will affect their lives." (p 19) While the federal government is playing catch-up after years of neglect, some states are proactive and doing what they can on their own. Alaska, of course, being an Arctic state, is an obvious example, but there are others as well. She makes the case that people who haven't lived in the Arctic, do not understand the challenges and ways in which life is different there. Based on my own experience, she does a good job with this.

For me the real strength of the book, and what I found so interesting, was the history of the Arctic regions of each country she includes in the book. She begins with Alaska and moves east into Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden, and Russia, with a chapter devoted to each. She provides a brief history of the people who lived in these regions and their history with the governments that claimed them, before describing the relationships the US has had with each one. She also describes the ways in which US Arctic policy has changed in recent years as there's been a recognition that this is a topic that cannot be ignored.

She strongly advocates for the inclusion of indigenous voices to be heard and needs met as US Arctic policy evolves.

This book--at least the review copy I read--was completed before the recent US election and as I read I was thinking about the ways in which things will deteriorate as a result.

This is a fascinating and highly readable book which I enjoyed very much, learned from, and highly recommend.