From the clinking cubes in a highball to the unimaginably massive solid rivers that have carved the planet, shaping its destiny and guarding its history deep in their frozen hearts, ice is omnipresent in our lives. Yet we take ice for granted: how often do we think about it? The story of ice unfolds in geological time, within which human time is a mere thread. But today's humans are playing an important role in accelerating natural cycles, and potentially triggering unpredictable planetary change. One writers' fascination with ice in all its forms and meanings opens windows of understanding: science, literature, art, philosophy and worldwide popular culture all offer different perspectives on ice. This wide-ranging adventure of the mind explores the subject from the heavy to the light, from the curious to the significant, from the ridiculous to the sublime.