Offering a fresh perspective on the Antarctic expeditions of the early 20^th century, Edward J. Larson's An Empire of Ice illuminates the stories of Robert F. Scott and Roald Amundsen by framing the two explorers' race to the South Pole within a larger scientific, social, and political context. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his book, Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion, Larson is currently the Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair in Law and a University Professor of History at Pepperdine University. December 14, 2011 is the centenary of the first expedition to reach the geographic South Pole.