Free Public Domain PDF e-books about adventurers, explorers, sailors and mountaineers from all over the world – and exciting novels of adventure. Be inspired and learn how the world was discovered.
“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 … Read more and download PDF
“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, … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
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. … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
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. … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
“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 … Read more and download PDF
“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 … Read more and download PDF
“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, … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF
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 … Read more and download PDF