In this book, historian Thor B. Arlov provides a popular scientific presentation of the history of the archipelago from its discovery in 1596 to the present day. The book is structured around thematic chapters on, among other things, hunting and fishing, scientific exploration, industrial activity, political conditions and social development. The emphasis is on showing the long lines and the major connections in Svalbard's history, without missing the important details. The book provides both an overview and insight. The material is presented in an easy-to-understand and engaging way, which does not require the reader to have any special knowledge of Svalbard or historical science in advance.
The author is one of the foremost experts on Svalbard's history and has previously written a number of books and articles on the subject. He has also lived and worked on the archipelago for many years.
