The Modern Explorers: Epic Journeys to the Ends of the World

OK.

Have you ever wondered what drives a few intrepid men and women to forsake comfort and security, to explore places known only to those whose home they may be? In this book modern explorers write about the sufferings and privations they endured, and the rewards they experienced as they crossed polar and desert regions, scaled mountains, traced rivers to their source, made perilous sea journeys and forays into rainforest, ventured into caves and sought to rediscover lost worlds. Some were part of large, highly organised expeditions to further scientific knowledge. Others travelled in small groups, or alone, plumbing the depths of isolation from other members of the human species.Each writer offers a different slant but, in a book as diverse as this, you are inevitably drawn to some more than others. I don't think I'll forget how Ranulph Fiennes dealt with the maddening pain of frostbite, or how Jon Muir crossed Australia unassisted with his Jack Russell terrier for company. I now know who Mikael Strandberg considers to be his true heros after spending a year in Siberia, and what life is like in the Darien forests of Panama, as seen through the poetic eyes of Wade Davis. Robert Twigger's account of Tim Severin's Brendan Voyage confirmed my suspicion that modern materials are not always superior. There was reassurance in Hank de Velde's conclusions after he had passed the solitude test on his never-ending voyage; and in Tahir Shah's shoestring technique. To be an explorer, he contends, all you need is determination. Reading this book will provide encouragement to would-be explorers.

All ok

Great price and fast delivery.

A brilliant book. I bought it for my daughter, who has definite wanderlust.

I had to give this book four stars, taking one off because it aroused a slight degree of jealousy. I mean if you've dabbled in this type of 'exploration' on viewing the photos alone you'll kick yourself for not having pushed yourself just a little bit more, and for not having taken a camera along with you. So five stars really, mumble grumble. The Modern Explorers