The Northward Course of Empire is an exploration of the potential for economic development in the Arctic Circle, a region that has long been considered too harsh and inhospitable for human habitation. Vilhjalmur Stefansson argues that this perception is based on myth and that the Arctic is in fact a rich and valuable region with the potential to support a thriving economy. He describes the climate, geography, and resources of the Arctic and suggests ways in which these resources could be exploited in a sustainable manner.