Greenland is no ordinary island. Ever since its discovery it has been a frontier for human exploration, empire and geostrategic competition. This book delves into that rich history and complex politics, revealing how a wilderness of just 56,000 inhabitants has shaped—and been shaped by—the world.

Elizabeth Buchanan’s short history begins with the Vikings, and their mysterious disappearance from Greenland in the 1400s. She explores the island’s evolution from a Danish possession into an autonomous territory; its role in the World Wars, and its strategic importance during the Cold War. Finally, she dissects Greenland’s position today at the centre of a new ‘great game’, balancing transatlantic ties, rising Chinese influence and mounting domestic pressures for independence—not to mention President Trump’s agenda to acquire the landmass.

Buchanan poses four provocative yet compelling scenarios for Greenland’s future—from full independence to an icy standoff with Denmark. Her analysis is an essential read for anyone curious about this frozen frontier and its place on the world stage.