Christmas has been celebrated in some of the most remote, unlikely and inhospitable places on the planet. Away at Christmas draws on the journals, diaries and reminiscences of many of the world's best-known adventurers. These brave people describe how they and their companions spent the festive season, whether they were seeking the North West Passage, trying to determine the source of the Nile, attempting to reach the North or South Poles or crossing the deserts of Australia. Each chronologically-arranged entry - from 1492 to the present day - provides the background to the expedition or journey, describes whether or not the endeavours were ultimately successful and what happened to the party. It is truly impressive that, however challenging the circumstances, Christmas was never forgotten.