Customer Reviews

The Survivor: 24 Spine-Chilling Adventures on the Edge of Death

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a GREAT book by the Ultimate Adventurer/Explorer, John Goddard. The book covers many daring and dangerous activities that many would not even attempt. Goddard's living-on-the-edge lifestyle will definitely leave you on the edge-of-your-seat with his thrilling brushes with potential death. A must read. Also, his book "Kayaks Down the Nile" is equally thrilling...in both books you'll be shaking your head asking yourself," HOW did he ever live through it?" Simply...he IS the ultimate survivor! I couldn't put the books down until the end.

No chest-thumping here. That charge is ridiculous. I'm happy to say that I know John Goddard personally and he's the furthest thing from a chest-thumper or braggart. In fact, the book is written with great humility. If you want chest-thumping or bragging, read Mark Jenkins (who is a hell of a writer, by the way). Goddard's feats are worthy of admiration and, trust me, he's a fantastic human being.

I've heard and read about John Goddard's amazing story for many years and didn't realize till recently that he'd recorded his experiences in this book. It is so well written and documents experiences that only a real-life "Indiana Jones" could have experienced. Motivating, exciting, amazing.

This book is a must-have. Buy it for yourself and your kids. Relive some of the most thrilling REAL LIFE adventures ever. John Goddard's life is like a hollywood movie.

One of the few books I started reading and could not put down, John Goddard is a true adventurer in the spirit of the word and his book "The Survivor" is a top notch recollection of many of his experiences. I remember being a young kid in school and looking forward to the days when John would speak in our auditorium, as his recital of the adventures he's been on would fuel the spark of travel in me which lives on today. You will not be disappointed in this book.

I bought this book because the author, John Goddard, was scheduled to be a keynote speaker at a convention I was attending in June, 2008. I had heard his name, but didn't know much about him. I couldn't put the book down. This autobiographical work is amazing - and HE is amazing!!
As a young child, John Goddard decided to be an explorer. As a teen, he set over 100 goals for himself. These were not simple goals such as 'get a college education (which he did - he became a medical doctor). His goals were grand to the nth scale! One goal was to explore the Nile River, from it's beginning all the way to the Mediterranean Sea - in a kayak! It took 9 months - and many adventures - but he made it. He also, in like fashion, explored other rivers, among them, the Congo River, and the Colorado River. Of his original goals, he as achieved most - but added hundreds more over the years. Mr. Goddard is what many people term 'goal driven' but most people don't really have a clue as to what that really means. He did speak at our convention - leaving over 3000 people sitting on the edge of their seats and breathless. Later, in breakout sessions, he continued to enthrall. Oh, and he signed my book, too! It's a treasure I will keep forever. One more thing - the '24' is now over '40' - that's how many times John Goddard has faced imminent death, and survived!

This book certainly delivers on its promise of life-threatening adventures. I loved the fact that it was written about real events in a way that sounded like truth. There were some hard things to deal with but that's the way life is. I would recommend it to adventurers and armchair adventurers alike.

Interesting stories of adventure if you can overlook the braggart overtone. The kayaking trips were especially harrowing, maybe I'd brag too if I had done them. Well, I'd brag then punch myself in the face.

Sounded like a great story..I even used Goddard's list once for an inspirational piece for school. Halfway through the book, I realized that this poorly written book is a compilation of highfalutin' chest thumping near-death experiences. If you are interested in real adventure, read about Shackleton, Krakauer or Simpson. Don't waste your money on this book!