Tag Archives: calltoadventure

Africa, America, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Oceans, Pacific, The New World

Nellie Bly: Around the World in 72 Days (1890)

Leave a comment

“I want to go around the world! I want to go around in eighty days or less. I think I can beat Phileas Fogg’s record. May I try it?”

When investigative reporter Nellie Bly approached her editor in 1889, he was not excited about the idea at all. But, in the end, she did travel around the world.

On her adventure, she met Jules Verne – whose story had inspired her – and many, many others. The result is this book.

The endeavor became an international story almost overnight, and Nellie, whose real name was Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman, became a celebrity herself.

Her travel around the world in a record-setting 72 days is the most remembered of her feats today, but she was a pioneer in several other fields, too. For instance, Bly practically invented investigative journalism, when she lived undercover in a mental institution and uncovered horrible conditions to the public.

Around the World in Seventy-Two Days is not only a testament to the will of an extraordinary person, who became a role model for girls around the world. It is also very well written and entertaining indeed.

Download Around the World in Seventy Two Days as PDF for free here:

Nellie-bly-Around-the-World-in-Seventy-Two-Days-pdf

 

Antarctic, Arctic

The South Pole by Roald Amundsen

Leave a comment

“Adventure is just bad planning!”

Captain Roald Amundsen did not fool around, but based his conquest of the South Pole on defining an elegant and simple plan – and sticking with it.

On December 14. 1911, the efforts were rewarded, when Amundsen and his four companions planted the Norwegian flag on the Pole, five weeks before the ill-fated British expedition led by Robert Falcon Scott.

In The South Pole: An Account of the Norwegian expedition in the Fram, 1910–12 (Volumes I and II) he tells the whole story. The book is written in a dry, understated humoristic tone and clinically cleansed from any kind of self-praise. This makes for a very satisfying read.

Originally, everyone – even Amundsens crew! – believed that they were going for the North Pole. But as the rival Americans Cook and Peary each claimed to have reached the North Pole in 1909, Amundsen set his sights on the South Pole instead. He kept his plans secret, though, and when his intentions were revealed, it caused international outrage. But Amundsen was on his way and did not care the slightest bit.

The Norwegian expedition used the same ship, The Fram, as Fridtjof Nansen in his attempt to reach the North Pole more than a decade earlier, and Nansen himself wrote the introduction to this extraordinary book:

“When the explorer comes home victorious, everyone goes out to cheer him. We are all proud of his achievement—proud on behalf of the nation and of humanity. We think it is a new feather in our cap, and one we have come by cheaply. How many of those who join in the cheering were there when the expedition was fitting out, when it was short of bare necessities, when support and assistance were most urgently wanted? Was there then any race to be first? At such a time the leader has usually found himself almost alone; too often he has had to confess that his greatest difficulties were those he had to overcome at home before he could set sail. So it was with Columbus, and so it has been with many since his time. So it was, too, with Roald Amundsen.”

Download the entire The South Pole: An Account of the Norwegian expedition in the Fram, 1910–12 Vol I + II (986 pages / 55 MB) here:

The South Pole Roald Amundsen

Arctic, Greenland

The First Crossing of Greenland

Leave a comment

Men have tried to cross Greenland since the Middle Ages. But the Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen finally succeeded in 1888 by traversing the island on cross-country skis.

This book is one of the best stories about polar exploration, and it is beautifully illustrated with maps, drawings, and photos all the way through.

Internationally, Nansen is known as the father of modern polar exploration and for reaching a record Northern latitude during his “Fram”-expedition (1893-96). But while crossing Greenland for the first time, he tried out many of his techniques for real. At the same time, he completed the first major goal of Polar exploration.

His innovations and ideas were widely used by many later Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. During his life, Fridtjof Nansen took many roles upon himself; as explorer, scientist, diplomat, and humanitarian. In 1922, Nansen was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Download the entire book (460 pages / 24,9 MB) here:

 The First Crossing of Greenland

Uncategorized

The Worst Journey in The World

Leave a comment

It was bad news for Robert Falcon Scott, when his party reached the South Pole on January 1912 – and found that the Norwegian Amundsen-expedition had been there 34 days before. Even worse, Scott’s entire party perished on the way back.

“The Worst Journey in The World” tells the whole story and then some. It is widely praised as one of the best, most frank (and chilling!) books about polar exploration in the early 20th century.

In this epic memoir, Apsley Cherry-Garrard of Scott’s Terra Nova expedition, tells about the expedition, about its fate – and about the disastrous planning, the extreme suffering and sheer bad luck that was also part of the story.

The title of the book – The Worst Journey in The World – would seem a fitting description for the Terra Nova-expedition. But it actually refers to a sub-quest to recover eggs of the emperor penguin for scientific study. Here, Cherry-Garrard participated on a journey across the Ross Ice Shelf in complete darkness and in temperatures below −40 °C. But the eggs were retrieved, and the small expedition returned – barely – alive.

Make a (hot!) cup of tea, get a warm blanket and download the entire book with plenty of maps and illustrations here:

The Worst Journey In The World (760 pages / 23 MB)

Asia

The Travels of Marco Polo the Venetian

Leave a comment

Marco Polo is probably one of the best-known explorers of all time. He was born in the year 1254 in Venice and joined his father’s trade business. In the company with his father Niccolò and uncle, Maffeo, Marco initiated a great journey along the Silk Road in 1271.

Finally, the delegation reached their destination and met the great Kublai Khan himself. The journey was never meant to last more than a few years, but extended into a 25-year long adventure, where Marco became a trusted advisor and servant to the Khan.

Marco Polo was the first Westerner to visit the far East. He described in detail the intricate workings of mighty China and traveled far and wide as a trusted envoy of the Khan. Amongst many other places, he visited and described Burma, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The Travels of Marco Polo the Venetian tells the complete story of Marco Polos life, his meeting with the eastern cultures – and how he succeeded in returning home at last.

Download the free e-book here in full length (477 pages/31MB) :

The Travels of Marco Polo

Middle East

Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”)

Leave a comment

In Seven Pillars of Wisdom, the British archaeologist, army-officer, diplomat, and writer T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) tells vividly and engaging about his service as a liaison officer with the rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in the latter part of the first World War.

Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence was based in Jordan as a member of the British Forces and helped organize, carry out and sometimes even lead attacks on the Ottoman forces from Aqaba in the south to Damascus in the north.

His dramatic adventures during the war earned him international fame and became the basis of the 1962 epic historical drama “Lawrence of Arabia” where the role of Lawrence was played by Sir Peter O’Toole; the movie won seven Oscars!

After the war, T.E. Lawrence wrote and translated several books, corresponded with writers, artists, and politicians while working as an ordinary aircraftsman for the Royal Air Force, where he participated in the development of rescue motorboats.

Unfortunately, Lawrence did not live to see old age, as he was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident at the age of 46.

Download Seven Pillars of Wisdom as a PDF for free here (63,6 MB):

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

Australia

The Amateur Tramp – The man who walked around a continent

1 Comment

The Amateur Tramp – A Walk of Ten Thousand Miles Around Australia. Thousands of people have climbed the highest peaks of the Himalayas. Hundreds have visited all nations on UN’s list and 12 made it all the way to the moon. But this guy..!

In 1921, Aidan de Brune packed his backpack and walked around the entire continent of Australia by the coastline. We are (almost) sure he is the only person who ever did that. Even more impressive, he did it all alone and without assistance.

The amazing adventure was documented by himself along the way as he wrote articles about it for the Australian newspaper Daily Mail along the route.

The route around Australia

The walk took about two and a half year, and the accomplishment made Aidan de Brune famous. This book about the walk is written by Colin Choat, who kindly allowed us to post the book here.

Download ‘The Amateur Tramp’ here:

The Amateur Tramp

Europe, Middle East

The Heart of Arabia – A Record of Travel & Exploration Vol I+II

Leave a comment

The Heart of Arabia – A Record of Travel & Exploration Vol I+II (1923) is an exceptionally well-written and beautifully illustrated reflection on the travels and experiences of Harry St John Philby, also known as Jack Philby or Sheikh Abdullah.

The author was a most unorthodox representative of Great Britain in Arabia – and for quite some time also the only British representative there.

He was the first Westerner who traversed Arabia from East to West, held a deep respect for the Arabian culture and learned himself Arabic. In time, he even adopted the Muslim faith and became close friends with and advisor to Ibn Saud, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, however, Philby remained British to the core and maintained his British home. He was a remarkable adventurer, a man of the world, and a mapmaker extraordinaire. He was also in some ways a driven man, who often saw the world in black and white.

Harry St John Philby is mostly forgotten today or – if remembered – it is as the father of the infamous Soviet spy, Kim Philby. That is actually quite sad, as Philby Sr. is a much more interesting character, and his book is well worth reading.

It is a large file, primarily due to the many illustrations and the 814 pages. So make some coffee while downloading or have patience a minute or two 🙂

Download The Heart of Arabia – A Record of Travel & Exploration Vol I+II (67,2 MB / 814 pages)

 The Heart of Arabia vol I+II

Asia, Himalaya

Mount Everest, the Reconnaissance, 1921

2 Comments

Why risk your life climbing the world’s highest peak? “Because it’s there!”

Climber and WW1-veteran George Mallory coined the iconic explanation, and Mount Everest, the Reconnaissance is the epic recount of the 1921-expedition where he participated along with A. F. R. Wollaston and Charles Howard-Bury.

Sadly, Mallory died on an Everest-expedition three years later, but he might – or might not – have been the first on top of Everest. That is a fascinating story in itself, which you can read much more about in this really great story in National Geographic.

The goal of the 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expedition was to explore how it might be possible to get to the vicinity of Mount Everest and to discover possible routes for ascending the mountain.

The mission was a success, as it secured valuable knowledge for future expeditions. For instance, by determining that a good route might be to approach the East Rongbuk glacier via the Rongbuk glacier and then follow the North Col route to the summit.

Download the free PDF e-book here:

Mount Everest, the Reconnaissance, 1921

Litterature, Oceans, Pacific, Uncategorized

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea 

Leave a comment

“By what name ought I address you?”

“Sir,” replied the commander, “I am nothing to you but Captain Nemo; and you and your companions are nothing to me but the passengers of the Nautilus.”

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne is one of the greatest adventure novels of all time, and – at the same time – a groundbreaking work of science-fiction.

The narrator, Professor Pierre Aronnax, and his companions join the fiercely independent Captain Nemo aboard his submarine, the Nautilus, on a wondrous and dramatic journey around the world.

“I am not what you call a civilised man! I have done with society entirely, for reasons which I alone have the right of appreciating. I do not, therefore, obey its laws, and I desire you never to allude to them before me again!”

Download Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea here (PDF 1,1 MB / 168 pages)

20000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

 

Australia

Wonderland of the Antipodes

Leave a comment

“One little pickle of a fellow, with bright black eyes, who had quite overcome his terror, amused himself by creeping up behind the others, and frightening them by shouting in their ear, “ Nui pakeha, nui pakeha” (the big white man, the big white man is coming!) — meaning me; at which they would burst into tears, and run like rabbits from the sup­posed cannibal—your humble servant.”

Wonderland of the Antipodes and other sketches of Travel in the North Island of New Zealand by J. Ernest Tinne was published in 1873. He was astonished by the beauty of the island and during many trips by foot, canoe and horseback he visited the North Island many times. The descriptions are personal and it is clear that Ernest respected the natives and was very interested in geology, anthropology, botanics and the Maori way of life.

Download the free PDF e-book here (160 pages/8 MB):

 Wonderland of the Antipodes

Asia

Innermost Asia: Travel & Sport In The Pamirs

Leave a comment

“Although I cannot say I really enjoyed my trip, I am glad that I made it, as, apart from the fact that I got my tiger, the country is practically unknown, and the Kirghiz of the district form an interesting study. It is, besides, always refreshing to find oneself in a part of the world where Europeans are still a novelty, and where civilization has not penetrated. To sportsmen who may think of visiting the country I would say, take plenty of warm clothes and buy what ponies you require in Vierny before starting.”

In Innermost Asia: Travel & Sport In The Pamirs, the author Ralph Patteson Cobbold got his tiger after a few attempts. Although he does complains that there were not quite enough of them to ensure really great fun.

Asone of the very first Europeans, Cobbold traversed great distances in Central Asia in the late 19.th century when traveling was quite dangerous and sometimes potentially life-threatening.

And although Cobbold sometimes does come across as a bit arrogant, he goes to great lengths to be as fair in his description of locals – and local authorities – as an Englishman from the late part of the Victorian age can expect to be. He also gives an accurate description of the landscape, its people and of his strenuous journey – and even gets a bit involved in the power struggle between Russians, the Chinese, and local lords.

Furthermore, the book is richly illustrated with detailed maps and many photographs.

Click below to download Innermost Asia Travel & Sport In The Pamirs as free PDF (388 pages / 22 MB):

Innermost Asia

Arctic, Greenland, Inuit, Oceans, Thule

The North West Passage by Roald Amundsen

Leave a comment

The North West Passage by Roald Amundsen is the well written and sometimes dramatic story about the “Gjöa Expedition”, led by Amundsen himself during the years 1903-1907.

This fine work was published after his successful return and it is richly illustrated with maps and high-quality photographs, considering the time. The expedition was sometimes quite dramatic, and only sheer luck separated survival from total catastrophe:

“In the pitch-dark night, which luckily was perfectly calm, a mighty flame, with thick suffocating smoke was leaping up from the engine-room skylight. A fire had broken out in the engine-room, right among the tanks holding 2,200 gallons of petroleum. We all knew what would happen if the tanks got heated: the “Gjöa” and everything on board would be blown to atoms like an exploded bomb. We all flew in frantic haste.”

The expedition was spectacular since it was the first time man navigated The North West Passage – the northern link between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. At the time, the passage was only partly open for short periods in the summer, making the voyage very difficult and the risk of getting stuck in ice was imminent.

Today, though, due to climate changes, the passage is increasingly open for commercial traffic and it has the potential to disrupt global sea transport.

The objective of the expedition was met, but the Norwegian Roald Amundsen was disappointed that he was not able to reach the magnetic north pole, which also was a goal of the journey.

Download The North West Passage PDF here in full length (349 pages/10MB):

The North West Passage

America

Walden – Life in the Woods

Leave a comment

Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau is possibly the most famous, beloved, and influential book about living in and close to nature. Which is what Thoreau did for two years, two months, and two days (1845-1847). From the book:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Thoreau lived in a small cabin built by himself by Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts, where he spent his time in the woods reflecting upon human development and human nature while living according to simple living and self-sufficiency ideals.

Today, a parking lot is placed close to his cabin, and the pond is a popular – and quite beautiful – destination for the citizens of Concord to go swimming on hot summer days.

But the book itself appears as fresh and inspiring today as when written in the middle of the 19. century.

Download the free PDF e-book here:

 Walden; or, Life in the Woods

Walden; or, Life in the woods mobi e-book

Uncategorized

Queen Charlotte Islands: A Narrative Of Discovery And Adventure In The North Pacific

Leave a comment

Queen Charlotte Islands: A Narrative Of Discovery And Adventure In The North Pacific by Francis Poole.

“This is a land of enchantment. As far as the eye can reach either way is a picture of loveliness, such varied and magnificent landscapes, such matchless timber, such a wealth of vegetation, such verdure and leafage up to the very crests of its highest hills.‎”

In 1862, the civil- and mining engineer, Mr. Francis Poole, arrived at Haida Gwaii – also known as the Queen Charlotte Islands. He spent two years here, and the archipelago off British Columbia’s west coast clearly held a special place in his heart. Later, the writer John W. Lyndon took it upon himself to write and publish Mr. Pooles diary, and the result was this vivid book, complete with several maps and fine illustrations.

Download the free PDF e-book here (387 pages/32 MB):

Queen Charlotte Islands A Narrative Of Discovery And Adventure In The North Pacific