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Top Travel Books To Read (Part Two: Adventure)

Top Travel Books To Read (Part Two: Adventure)

Eight adventure travel books everyone should read

Looking for an armchair adrenaline fix? Need to satiate your burning desire for adventure? These wonderful tales of endurance and heroism are sure to act as your interim placebo: 

1. Endurance by Alfred Lansing. Arguably one of the finest accounts of the ill-fated Shackleton expedition to Antarctica. We learn of the individual personalities within the expedition, the constant and savage hardships endured, and the heroism that prevailed in the face of adversity in what is often considered to be the greatest survival story of all time. An absolute must-read.

2. Rowing After the White Whale by James Adair. In August 2011 two 20-something friends from the United Kingdom feel they need to do something unequivocal with their lives. Seizing an opportunity before the burden of adult responsibilities takes a hold and without any prior experience, they manage to execute an unsupported crossing of the Indian Ocean in a 16 ft ocean rowing boat. This remarkable journey takes them 116 days. To put their feat into context, more people have walked on the surface of the moon than rowed unsupported across the Indian Ocean.

Look out next week for our full interview with the author James Adair.

3. Facing Up by Bear Grylls, (or The Kid Who Climbed Everest in the US). A personal account of Bear's expedition and achievements climbing to the summit of Mount Everest. At the time Bear was only 23 years old, making him the youngest Brit to successfully summit the highest mountain in the world. Packed with laugh-out-loud moments, honest and very inspirational, 'Facing Up' has a boy next door feel about it. Written before the tide of international fame, this is one of Bear's most candid and uplifting books.

4. To the Poles (Without a Beard): The Polar Adventures of a World Record-Breaking Woman by Catharine Hartley. This is the honest and inspirational story of one ordinary woman's dream to become the first British woman to reach the South Pole. As if that wasn't enough, a little less than a year later she goes on to top her audacious plans by reaching the North Pole as well. A refreshing take on polar exploration, written from a woman's perspective. For anyone who has an extraordinary dream, who doubts they might be able to achieve it, this book should do wonders to spur you on. 'We called ourselves Plebs to the Pole. It was the first time travellers with no previous polar experience had the chance to attempt such a journey. Before our expedition, Antarctica had been sacred territory - the preserve of scientists and real explorers. No one had any idea how amateurs would perform in such extreme conditions.'

5. Sea Legs: One Family's Year on the Oceanby Guy Grieve. Having returned from his special year in Alaska (Call of the Wild: My Alaskan Escape), and perhaps naturally falling guilty of returing to a more mundane way of life, Guy decides it's time to go in search of adventure for a second time. The difference this time being he takes his young family along for a journey of a lifetime. A wonderful account of a family who dare to pursue their dream. Along the way they will share the unadulterated joy of discovery, together with the magic of exploration. However, as with the pursuit of so many dreams, their trip is not without hardship. During the epic journey home to the west coast of Scotland, they encounter some of their hardest challenges to date as a family. 

6. High Adventure: The True Story of the First Ascent of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary. A personal account of the long and treacherous journey of Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay to become the first people to summit Mount Everest in May 1953. Including the expeditions reconnaissance trip in 1951, this is truly a captivating and gripping story of 'High Adventure'. You will find yourself there each oxygen-deprived step of the way as Hillary and Tenzing edge their way to the roof of the world and into the history books.

7. Touching the Void by Joe Simpson. Should need little introduction, this is a classic within the genre and without doubt one of the finest tales of self-determination. Grips the reader and takes you right to the very heart of the mountaineering action. Warning: do not read prior to a mountaineering expedition of your own!

8. The Crossing: Conquering the Atlantic in the World's Toughest Rowing Race by James Cracknell & Ben Fogle.  A captivating tale of mental and physical endurance, two men pitted against the ferocity of nature crossing 3,000 miles of empty ocean. They endure storms, raging waves and technical problems. Beyond the physical hardships of ocean rowing, both James and Ben find themselves battling mental peaks and troughs. A most enjoyable read for anyone with a passion for adventure. Written in a relaxed, informal style and easy to relate to.

You can buy any of the above titles quickly and easily at www.amazon.com

Let us know your favorite adventure travel book! 

We would love to hear your thoughts about the above suggestions and if you have any must-reads within this genre to share with us, please add them to the comments below or tweet us at @SandgrouseTeam

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