Customer Reviews

As Told at The Explorers Club: More Than Fifty Gripping Tales of Adventure (Explorers Club Classic)

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2 star:		(1)
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This book contains amazing stories from the ends of the earth as told by those that actually participated. These first hand accounts are simply wonderful, giving the reader an eye into the harsh climates of Africa and the Arctic among other places. Luminaries include Mr. Amundson of South Pole fame. This is a well written and well organized book that covers more then 60 years of exploration.

Not a bad book I guess, as long as you're not expecting too much.
What do I mean by too much? Not to have to read lies by a blowhard psychotic: "Captain" L. Ron Hubbard, the notorious liar, crook and flim flam man who created his own bogus religion: Scientology. It's mercifully short but that Plimpton was taken in by him calls his judgement into question.

The rest of the stories vary from snoozers to decent, if unexciting writing about travel. There's a lot of interesting facts here about exotic places, but exciting and moving it is not.

Example: Mongol women are complimented by being called a beast. Okay, fine. Elucidating but not enthralling.

Example: The largest desert is in Arabia and has meteorites. Fine, but had I wanted facts I would have picked up an encyclopedia.

I could go on, but why bother? Look, if you want real, true adventure written by one of the best writers of adventure memoir the earth has seen, try Jim Corbett's: Man-Eaters of Kumaon (Oxford India Paperbacks) or The Temple Tiger and More Man-Eaters of Kumaon (Oxford India Paperbacks). Corbett's tales will move you to tears, make you laugh and prickle the hairs on the back of your neck with tension and his humanity and humility will move you profoundly.

But if all you're looking for are some speeches that are intended mainly to make the tellers look clever and good, then this book will be your meat.

Enjoy reading this book. So far about half way through. Many short true stories of adventure and exploration. A good book to throw in your backpack to take with you on your next overseas adventure/travel.

Loved this book !
I wish I was there in person to spin a few tales lolol