Adventure Books (recently read - March, 2012)

Adventure Books I have read recently and brief reviews:

Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know by Sir Ranulph Fiennes – a very extreme explorer and athlete, runner, mountain climber, author. – He ran 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents, trekked across the globe from the North Pole to South Pole, climbed Mt. Everest, the Eiger North Face and many others: searched for the lost City of Ubar in Oman. He froze his fingers and experienced a heart attack during an expedition. I have received a few emails from him; presently he is retired in the UK. Sir Ranulph Fiennes has written many other books.

Born to Run by Chris McDougall.
I found this book very interesting, to learn a lot more about running strides, shoes, barefoot running. It is very interesting to learn about the Tarahumara Natives in the Mexican Copper Canyon and how they live and run as a form of their transportation. The Tarahumara are fast runners.

Why I Run by Mark Sutcliffe. Mark is the founder and chief editor of the running magazine iRun. A good read about “normal” running. It was interesting to read about Mark’s running in Canada, and being informed about Ed Whitlock – who ran the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2.54.48 at 73 years in age.

Left for Dead by Beck Weathers – climbing Mount Everest in the most terrible conditions – Ouch! - he just barely survived – frozen face and frozen hands – rather sad, and suspenseful.

Reaching Your Summit: by Casey Treat. Pastor Casey Treat of the large Christian Faith Center church in Seattle climbs up Mount Rainier, (14,500 ft.) Washington. A really fun book to read.

Up and Running by Jami Goldman – a double Amputee, Jami tells her story about her taking a wrong turn on a back road during a blizzard resulting in a terrifying fight for her life – trapped in her car & lost, caught in a mountain blizzard resulting in her losing her legs due to the freezing cold. I met Jami at the Manitoba Marathon a year ago. She is a runner and a public speaker.

the Summit by Eric Alexander. I am presently reading this book. He relates his faith in the Lord Jesus with his very extraordinary mountain climbing, taking a blind Erik Weihenmeyer up Mount Everest. Faith beyond the Death Zone.
Here is quote from his book –
“For success, we need to seek the extraordinary, but learn to find joy in the ordinary. It may sound like an aim-low strategy, but what I am trying to understand and apply in my life is I can’t walk only on mountaintops. Life is lived in the valleys, and for moments we are able to reach the heights and plan the biggest and baddiest thing you can imagine – just don’t expect it to fulfill you completely. We need and should have goals, plans, and dreams; we should also seek joy in the journey, the valleys, and the normal. I want to follow the passion God has given me and I want to be true to the desires He has put on my heart. I also need to understand that this applies to my family and my work as well. Priorities and balance, with the joy coming from knowing God. “So, God what’s next?””
Phillip Yancey says about this book – “I have read several accounts of Everest climbs, but none gave me the ‘behind the scenes’ view this book provides…you’ll find your heart racing as you read…If not, you should call 911 immediately and get checked for a pulse.” I recommend reading this book.



The White Spider by Heinrich Harper – the classic Account of the Ascent of the Eiger – to be read yet.

Steve Jobs – by Walter Isaacson – to be read yet. (600 pages).