Quest for Adventure: Ultimate Feats of Modern Exploration

Chris Bonington is one of the world's most accomplished climbers. At first sight, therefore, one might be forgiven for thinking that this was a book about his own exploits. I did and I was also wrong. Instead this is a book about the adventurous exploits of others and, for once, those expeditions to the far corners of the globe - and even beyond!, are written by someone who understands what it is all about. Divided into areas which cover; Oceans, Deserts, Rivers, Mountains, the Poles, Air, Space and Beneath the Earth, Bonington has selected the most outstanding feats of human endeavour of the 20th Century. From Thor Heyerdahl's epic voyage across the Pacific on a raft made of reeds (Kon Tiki) and other great sea-going voyages to John Blashford Snell's search for the source of the Blue Nile, to the many challenges set by the world's greatest peaks and on even further to man on the moon. These are but some of the many stories which this author has put together in a carefully planned book which soon becomes very hard to put down. I dare anyone to read this book and not be impressed by the achievements described. NM

I first read a softcover edition published in the early nineties. A great read for those with a healthy adventurous streak. The book covers a multitude of adventurer: people who rowed or sailed across large bodies of water; mountain climbers: desert crossers; hot-air balloonists; cave divers (perhaps the most riveting). Bonington himself has done plenty of mountain climbing and has good insight into what unites these people and why they are different-in some cases these people are never happy in daily life after returning from their adventure.

Awesome, is the word to describe this collection of stories on the many different facets of adventure. Moutaineering, space, sailing, ballooning are only some of the topics covered in this marvellous book. Although the physical details of the adventure activities are truly engrossing, the point which the book makes is the spiritual quest of humankind to discover the limits of his actions. It proves that true adventure is the journey of the mind, the quest to discover oneself. A must read for all.