The Life of Permafrost: A History of Frozen Earth in Russian and Soviet Science.

This text reviews a book that explores the history and scientific conceptualization of permafrost, particularly in Russian and Soviet contexts, from the mid-1800s to the 1950s. The author examines how permafrost—frozen earth—has been understood both as a static physical structure and as a dynamic system, highlighting debates over terminology such as the Russian term vechnaia merzlota ("eternal frozen earth"). The book also discusses the institutionalization of permafrost studies in the Soviet Union and the influence of Soviet research on global scientific discourse, including its reception in the United States during World War II. The author cautions against apocalyptic metaphors about thawing permafrost, emphasizing that global warming results from human actions rather than external natural forces. The work underscores the importance of social and cultural contexts in shaping scientific knowledge but notes some limitations in scope and editorial clarity.