Want to take a walk on the wild side without ever leaving the comfort or security of your home? These four engaging true tales will have you on the edge of your seat. From stories about surviving in the jungles of Guam to conquering the summit of Everest, here’s a look at four books that will take you on unforgettable journeys.
“Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival” by Joe Simpson
In this story of survival against all odds, author Joe Simpson gives a riveting firsthand account of his grueling expedition to the Andes mountain range. During his precipitous descent from the peak, Simpson found himself in the bottom of a crevasse, abandoned by his climbing partner who had to make the painful decision to save himself at the cost of his friend. With a broken leg and no supplies, Simpson only had his own skills and perseverance to guide him to safety. So if you’re in the mood for a heart-wrenching — but ultimately inspirational — adventure story, “Touching the Void” might be a good pick for you.
“The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon” by David Grann
In this action-packed non-fiction narrative, David Grann retraces the steps of Victorian adventurer Percy Fawcett, who searched for lost treasures in South America. Fawcett’s doomed Amazon excursion was in pursuit of a locale he dubbed “The Lost City of Z,” and Grann’s impressive research exposes the trials that these adventurers faced. Part mystery, part biography, and part Indiana Jones-style action-adventure story, “The Lost City of Z” is sure to have you on the edge of your seat with its mix of vivid narration and historical accuracy.
“Lost in Shangri-la: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II” by Michelle Zuckoff
“Lost in Shangri-la” tells the tale of a handful of American service people, marooned in the jungle after their plane crashed into a mountainside on the island of Guam. Together, this unlikely band of castaways had to navigate uncharted terrain, fend off wildlife, avoid capture by opposing forces, and communicate with the indigenous population. Although the story seems like it was ripped from the pages of a campy 1950s adventure serial, Mitchell Zuckoff’s retelling of this unlikely story is both compelling and respectful of the grit these survivors had to muster under their difficult circumstances.
“High Adventure: The True Story of the First Ascent of Everest” by Edmund Hillary
A firsthand account by famed mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, High Adventure is as close as you can get to summiting Everest without the risk of frostbite. In 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first people on record to conquer the highest peak in the world. In addition to recounting that grueling climb, Hillary describes his team’s brutal training in the Himalayas, the discovery of a new route to the summit, and tenacity of his fellow climbers. So if you want to read about the limits of humanity’s will to explore and conquer, crack open this tome by one of the 20th century’s greatest adventurers.
Whether you’re searching for tales of triumph or dark mysteries, you can find it all right here with these gripping real-life accounts of adventure.