~ Book Reviews ~

Touching the Void, by Joe Simpson - book review
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Touching the Void, by Joe Simpson - book review

"Touching the Void" is a book written by mountaineer, Joe Simpson, and published in 1988. It is a memoir of Simpson's harrowing experience climbing the Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985. The book tells the story of Simpson and his climbing partner Simon Yates' ascent of the mountain, and their subsequent descent, during which Simpson suffered a severe injury and the two climbers were forced to make life-or-death decisions. The book is a gripping, first-hand account of the physical and emotional challenges of climbing in the high mountains, and the will to survive against all odds.

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Just a little run around the world, by Rosie Swale-Pope
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Just a little run around the world, by Rosie Swale-Pope

I’ll start with the summary up front, this is an incredible book that’s inspiring, astounding, emotional (the first few chapters are quite hard going when you here about the backstory behind why she chose the expedition), laugh-out-loud funny (especially her meeting with Eric the boar!), endearing, and warm. These are just a few of the words I’d use to describe Rosie’s utterly incredible 5-year running adventure, but you’ll need to read it for yourself.

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How to tie knots, (Collins gem series)
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How to tie knots, (Collins gem series)

Are you planning to climb Mont Blanc, row across an ocean, or want to make yourself a better outdoorsperson / survivalist in general? Definitely check this useful little book out then.

It’s a super handy guide on how to tie over 30 knots with step-by-step images of each part of the process so you can master the important ones used in all adventures, such as the stopper knot, bowline, figure of eight, and the clove hitch.

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The little book of big explorations, by Jheni Osman
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The little book of big explorations, by Jheni Osman

So the bottom line up front, is we really love this book - for its range, diversity of storytelling, and accessibility. You can pick it up in any chapter, read for a few minutes, and feel positive about embracing challenges.

It provides an interesting take on adventure and endeavour, and linguistically widens the term to show how previously unheard-of scientists, explorers, geographers, activists, and others, took risks to explore new areas, both socially, professionally, and personally, to change the world for the better.

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A short walk in the Hindu Kush, by Eric Newby
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A short walk in the Hindu Kush, by Eric Newby

The real-life adventure follows Eric Newby CBE MC, a second world war prisoner, former special forces soldier, and fashion photographer (an interesting career path in itself!), and his diplomat friend, Hugh Carless CMG, as they drive a station wagon from London to Kabul, Afghanistan, via Iran – a journey of some 5000 miles (around 8000 kilometres) through Europe, Turkey, Iran, over the course of a month and all without any support vehicles. We think this itself is an impressive feat of planning and navigation in the era before GPS, mobile phones, or breakdown assistance!

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