So You Want to Own Greenland?

Description

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.

Reviews

‘A highly readable (and expert) guide to a remote place that is becoming increasingly important.’ — Gordon Corera, former BBC Security Correspondent, co-host of The Rest is Classified podcast

‘Elizabeth Buchanan masterfully unpacks Greenland’s centuries-long entanglement with empires, opportunists, and would-be buyers. This is a brilliant, bold, witty, and necessary guide to the island’s past, present, and uncertain geopolitical future.’ — Patrick J. Sullivan, Director, The Modern War Institute at West Point Military Academy

‘An informative and thought-provoking overview of a timely topic.’ —  John McCannon, author of Red Arctic and A History of the Arctic

‘One of the least known and understood places on the planet, Greenland sits today at the centre of geopolitical contest for the Arctic. Buchanan does an extraordinary job of providing timely and needed scholarship in a highly entertaining and enjoyable read. I recommend to anyone wishing to know more about this wonderful land and her people.’ — Tom Dans, former US Arctic Research Commissioner

‘Forget everything you thought you knew about Greenland. Elizabeth Buchanan flips the map on its head, revealing the world’s largest island as an unexpected, enduring geopolitical prize. Buchanan unearths Greenland’s captivating history in an accessible prose. Insightful, provocative, and absolutely indispensable for anyone looking beyond the headlines to grasp the true significance of this crucial Arctic nation. It’s the ultimate “buyer’s guide” to a land far more vital than most realize.’ — James Kraska, S.J.D., Charles H. Stockton Chair of International Maritime Law, U.S. Naval War College; and author of Disruptive Technology and the Law of Naval Warfare

‘An immensely readable tour through the fascinating history, complicated geopolitics, and long saga of Greenland’s relationship with the outside world, especially the United States, including the latest twist with Trump; written by that rare creature, a genuine expert on all things Arctic.’ — Bruce Jones, Director and Senior Fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy, the Brookings Institution

‘If there is a story of “horrible geopolitics” to be told then Elizabeth Buchanan tells it in her book about Greenland, Grønland and/or Kalaallit Nunaat.’ — Klaus Dodds, Professor of Geopolitics, Royal Holloway, author of The Arctic: What Everyone Needs to Know

‘From the first Viking colonies, to the intricacies of Danish colonialism, to the first American schemes to take over the island, Buchanan’s timely work is a crucial reminder that the future of Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. It is an essential primer for anyone looking for a breezy yet meticulously researched backgrounder about Greenland.’ — Andrew Chater, Lecturer in Political Science, King’s University College, Ontario

Author(s)

Elizabeth Buchanan PhD is a senior fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. She co-founded the polar warfare programme at West Point and was head of research for the Royal Australian Navy. Her previous books are Russian Energy Strategy in the Asia-Pacific and Red Arctic: Russian Arctic Strategy under Putin.