Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book takes the reader through the history of Greenland from Erik the Red to Donald Trump. I went into this book not knowing much about Greenland and learned a lot - the author provides a really informative, unbiased take on the politics of potential change. I would have liked to learn more about the geography and people of Greenland, but I'm sure there are other sources that cover that.

I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the history, politics and intricacies of Greenland.

As we are about to head to Greenland for the first time, I wanted to find a book where I could learn more about the people and culture.

This is not that book.

But it sure is interesting.

‘So You Want To Own Greenland’ is a history of the changing international status of Greenland - why it matters, why so many nations covet it, how a land of only 56,000 people can be such a priority, its complicated relationship with Denmark, and the very slow march towards full independence (maybe).

Greenland is important for its strategic location for defence, as well as trade, oil, fishing and minerals. It has survived Vikings, Nazis, nuclear weapons, and world wars. Now a warming icecap, resource scarcity, and new political security tensions are challenging it like never before.

Greenland is especially impacted by climate change; 80% of it is covered by ice, so ice melt is a major issue, as is the warming of waters around Greenland which impacts fisheries and marine mammals.

As the book goes through history and politics, there is lots of cloak and dagger intrigue with WW2 espionage, secret research stations, illegal nuclear weapons, and yes it goes right into Trump world, wrapping up with four potential scenarios for Greenland’s future.

A fast and fascinating read. 4.5 stars out of 5.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book, It will be published on September 4th.

Elizabeth Buchanan’s So You Want to Own Greenland? is a compact and engaging overview of Greenland’s geopolitical significance across history. As a nonfiction work, it’s strongest in its ability to highlight just how often this sparsely populated, icy territory has attracted the ambitions of global powers—from Viking settlers to modern-day superpowers.

The book covers a wide arc: the mysterious disappearance of Viking colonizers, Greenland’s evolution under Danish rule, its peculiar role in World War II, and its status as a Cold War asset for the United States, including the construction of a nuclear-powered base (Camp Century) under the ice. Buchanan also outlines Greenland’s modern relevance, from domestic independence movements to President Trump’s attempt to purchase it.

Buchanan writes with precision and clarity, though truly exploring the Greenlandic viewpoint in more depth would have elevated this book to another level. Most of the narrative is shaped through the lens of external powers, and while that’s essential to the book’s theme, a deeper engagement with local voices would have added welcome texture.

In all, this is a useful and concise guide for readers interested in Arctic politics, environmental history, or international strategy. It doesn’t overreach, but it does effectively explain why Greenland—despite its isolation—has remained a central focus of global ambitions.

Thank you to Melville House Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.