No comments about My Father, Sandy: A Son's Memoir.

No comments about Reminiscences Of Alexander Toponce.

No comments about Sutter's Fort: State Historical Monument.

1 comments about Under Polaris: An Arctic Quest (McLellan Books).

1. This marvelous book is a blend of adventure story, scientific diary, and ethnographic study. The author, Tahoe Talbot Washburn, accompanied her husband, Lincoln Washburn, to the Canadian Arctic in 1938-1941, helping him do his graduate field work in the glacial geology of the region. The author was a keen observer of native people and their way of life. She recorded what we now see in retrospect as the waning years of a nomadic way of life for the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Prior to World War II, many Inuit roamed freely across the high Arctic, camping in snow houses (igloos) constructed along the trail at the end of the day. The Canadian Arctic Inuit were still essentially nomads; they did not live in or visit permanent settlements, except for a few important events each year. Accordingly, governmental authorities and missionaries had to go on expeditions to meet with the Inuit. Soon after the war, this pattern changed dramatically, and seemingly irrevocably, towards a more settled way of life. This book is made all the more fascinating because it provides many glimpses into a way of life perched on the cusp of radical change. The Washburns were much more than casual visitors to the Canadian Arctic. They lived there for months at a time, including one extended stay from August, 1940 to February, 1941. They spent precious little time indoors, preferring to move about the Arctic islands, hiking, boating, camping, and dog-sledding in winter. The scientific aim of this multi-year project was to determine the extent of regional glaciation in the late Pleistocene, a much-debated topic of that day. By collecting marine fossils and mapping traces of glacial scouring in bedrock, Lincoln Washburn was able to begin the process of reconstructing the extent of ice sheets during the last glaciation. This thesis project marked the beginning of his long and illustrious career in glacial geology. However, geologic research is only incidental to this book. It brought the Washburns to Arctic Canada, but once there, they fell in love with the land and its people. Both Lincoln and Tahoe relished the arduous Arctic lifestyle, where physical endurance and mental acuity often make the difference between survival and death. They marveled at the ingenuity, patience, and sense of humor that seemed to sustain the Inuit through manifold hardships. Tahoe Washburn spent many months emulating the role of Inuit women, including daily food preparation (for both people and sled dogs), sewing of leather garments, and hide preparation (including chewing caribou hides to soften them). Although limited by not understanding the Inuit language, she learned by observation. Her Native companions appreciated her efforts to follow their ways, and took the time to teach her many skills that few outsiders ever learned. The book is richly illustrated, with 107 photos and six maps. Although the material in the book was taken from diaries, it has been well-edited, never becoming dull or repetitive. I heartily recommend this book to readers interested in the natural history and ethnography of the Arctic.

   Review published in Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Vol. 31, No. 4. Copyright: Regents of the University of Colorado

2 comments about Nicky Barr, An Australian Air Ace: A Story of Courage and Adventure.

1. Like the previous reviewer, I could hardly put this book down. It is an amazing story told in cinamgraphic detail. It would have been a good book written as fiction, but to know the stories are all true (I confirmed the outline with an RAAF offical obit) brings a part of WWII to life. Well done Peter Dornan, in taking in so much oral history and weaving it into a compelling story.



2. Nicky Barr's life and the courage he showed, were almost too unblieveable to be true. His biography by Peter Dornan is wonderfully written and impossible to put down. Nicky Barr was a quiet, unassuming man, but a fierce, aggressive fighter to his enemy in battle, and a great friend to those who knew him. The reader will come away feeling like the latter.
   His wife and true love, Dot, passed away in May 2006 and Nicky joined her in June.
   Thanks to Peter Dornan, for allowing me to know them both!

5 comments about KON-TIKI: Across the Pacific.

1. We recently had the pleasure of visiting Oslo, Norway and went to the Kon-Tiki Museum while there. They were sold out of the English language version of this book. I had read it in the mid-fifties and had lost the book sometime over the years. This purchase was to "re-stock" my library with what I have always considered to be a wonderful adventure story. I can recommend this book to anyone in the GPS generation who cannot imagine making passage across the Pacific as did Thor Heyerdahl. It's a wonderful story.



2. This book was in great physical condition...it just looks way older than I expected...you know how old paperbacks get...kind of yellowish and pages don't totally lay flat...It won't stop me from reading it, and it was a bargain for the price, but I am not sure it was LIKE NEW.



3. A very wow story.
   
   When the author was told that a particular people's migration was impossible, given the ocean going technology and distance involved, he set out to prove it wasn't.
   
   Crazy, brave, or whatever, but a pretty impressive real-life adventure tale, along with a spot of first-hand scientific historical research.



4. This was one of my summer reads and I found it incredibly entertaining. The story of how a bunch of crazy Norwegians, many of whom were WWII vets, floated across the South Pacific on a balsa raft during the middle of the 20th century is one of the best adventure stories I have ever read. The line between scientific investigation and insanity is thin on this one. The men set off to prove a link between Ancient Peruvians and Polynesians by proving that the Peruvians had sailed as far as Polynesia on balsa rafts. The group procures its wood from the dangerous, lawless countryside of Peru, floats it down a river to the sea, and sets forth on an epic adventure on a scrappy looking sail driven raft they slapped together using diagrams based off ancient documents.
   
   The accounts of flying fish, battles with sharks, and struggles against the elements are highly entertaining. They drifted across seas drawn by the currents through areas of the ocean free of shipping lanes, an adventure unparalleled for its time. Their raft literally became a home to hundreds of sea creatures. They encountered sea creatures that nobody had ever seen before. Although their voyage seems crazy, it was really done and I was actually relieved when the raft broke up on a reef on a South Pacific Island and the men were able to swim to safety.
   
   If you've ever dreamed of doing something crazy in the name of scholarly pursuits, or if you like a good adventure tale, this is a good read. Its also an interesting piece of history and Thor Heyerdahl went on to receive hundreds of awards for his incredible accomplishment.



5. It's a great read and an epic journey. What amazed me, even more than the raft itself, was that the crews' relationships with each other survived the trip. I don't know many (any) people I'd want never to be able to get out of sight of for months on end...
   
   Read and be impressed, be very impressed!

No comments about Mosquitoes, Gnats & Prickly Pear Cactus.

No comments about And the battle began like claps of thunder: The siege of Boonesboro, 1778, as told by the pioneers.

1 comments about Cold Oceans: Adventures in Kayak, Rowboat and Dog Sled.

1. 'Cold Oceans' is a first-person account of 3 of Jon's expeditions, kayaking the coast of South America, rowing the Canadian Pacific-Atlantic water-passage and dogsledding in northeastern Canada.
   All three expeditions fail.

   Ive read a number of reviews of this book in which readers express their personal dislike of the author's character, stating that they cannot muster sympathy for his misfortunes, as he 'obviously' is an immature character, does not approach his ambitions with the right mentality/reasons, and is thus doomed to failure.

   The book is not an account of a flawless adventuring hero, with the charisma of fortitude, endurance, confidence, skill etc that we all expect from out hero. This book is not an account of an exemplary never-been-done-before adventure completed with style and panache.

   But that is where the charm of the book lies.
   Finally an account of a less-than-perfect protagonist, who doesnt learn his lesson in the first try.
   It takes a number of tries before Jon learns 'the style and the reason' for adventuring, finds some harmony.

   That's the part that's true-to-life, and refreshing.

   You shouldnt read the book expecting the usual adventure story, a man a plan an ending.
   You should read it because its a good quick amusing get-outside read.

   I recommend it and review it, because it isn't formulaic, and neither should adventure, nor life, be formulaic.

   I wish I had the book with me so I could quote,
   but the one image I retain from this book
   is of Jon and his girlfriend portaging their paddleboat in Canada.
   Jon whines, mopes, raves, masticates duhhka that his adventure is not going as he planned, theyre not putting in the miles they should, the indignity of portage vs rowing etc.
   His girlfriend calmly watches the snow underneath and says something to the effect: "have you noticed how the ice crystals change in colour with the snow-ripples" (I have to find my copy so I can write the quote...)

   The book is a koan, and that image the punchline.

   Try it.

No comments about Captain Cook: Explorations and Reassessments (Regions and Regionalism in History).