This is a fascinating account of the history, geology and biology of Macquarie Island, a speck of land rising from the Southern Ocean, about 1,000 km southeast of Tasmania. The wild and beautiful island was declared a nature reserve in 1933 and possesses immense scientific interest because of its unique geological and biological features. A brief description of the island, its setting, the history of its discovery and subsequent human occupation precedes more detailed accounts of the geomorphology and Quaternary history, the vegetation, avifauna, mammals, microbiology, and marine and freshwater environment. In the concluding chapter the authors discuss past mismanagement and future management strategies, with a view to conserving the island's unique environment and biology. This informative account will be essential reading for polar scientists, island biologists and geologists, and conservationists.