Arranged in two parts, the first part provides the tools required for evaluating past ice sheets while the second part uses these tools to e stablish the size, extent and dynamics of late Quaternary ice sheets. Assuming no prior knowledge of Quaternary Science, the discussion prog resses from the basic principles of how and why ices ages occur, to th e interpretation of proxy records of past climate and ocean change. I nstructive accounts of how the geological record can be used as eviden ce of former ice sheet behaviour and a discussion on the role of numer ical models in understanding...