Customer Reviews

Unclaimed Coast: Sea Kayaking Ernest Shackleton's South Georgia Island (Penguin Original)

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The Unclaimed coast follows in the footsteps of the first kayak/adventure book written by this threesome, Graham Charles, Marcus Waters and Mark Jones. IN 2004 they published their book about their trip down the Antartic coast. Now they are the first New zealanders since Frank Worsley visted South Georgia in the James Caird with Shackleton to see the wild South coast of the island.

The three have been friends for many years and have kayaked all over New Zealand. Charles has written the definitive guide to New Zealand white Water. It seems a natural extension for them to take their undoubted skills off to other parts of the world

What sets this book apart from many other travel books are fourfold- firstly - it really is an adventure. No one else has ever kayaked that stretch of coast - let alone around the island. In fact South Georgia is a wild place where wild winds and weather rise up out of the Antarctic and batter it all year round. The adventure in itself is extraodinary - and those with a love of Ernest Shackleton will enjoy these latter-day successors to his legacy.

Secondly, the writing, which is shared by the three of them is of excellent quality. They share the telling of the story - writing a chapter each in succession. This works more effectively than I first supposed. As there is variation in their style which is quite nice. Their different perspectives give the book an extra depth.

Thirdly Graham Charles's photographs are just stunning - absolutely incredible. Considering many of them were taken while bobbing around in the boat they are amazing. He really captures the colours and depth of the environment. They talk of trying to compete on the coast with the wildlife - the photographs really demonstrate this problem.

Finally, it really does open up the island of South Georgia along with its history for the readers. They did their reasearch thoroughly on the area. Not just the history but the maps and weather - and this they have documented well. I loved the links back to various writeers, from Captain Cook to Ernest Shackleton. It makes an amazing read.

This is one of my highly recommended reads of 2009. The trio have since gone on a couple of other adventures - including a trip to Tierra del Fuego and another to the Antarctic Peninsular. They follow the same format (photographs, research excellent writing) and I would recommend that as well. They are difficult to get hold of but well worth the effort in doing so.

I had previously read this trio's book of kayaking down the Antarctic peninsula and had the pleasure of meeting Graham on an Antarctic "adventure cruise" on which he was the expedition coordinator. Upon return home, I bought this book.

It is a superb modern adventure tale when there are diminishing opportunities for true adventures. Good writing, excellent photography, and most importantly a superb narrative. The three authors are humble about their extraordinary accomplishment. I know I've read a good adventure book when I get the itch to replicate their journey if only in part.

Anyone who has travelled in the Antarctic or enjoys reading about this part of the globe should definitely add this book to their library.