Ralston describes his incredible 120 hour ordeal after getting his right arm trapped behind a boulder while hiking. While discussing his eventual rescue after severing his own arm with a pocket knife, Ralston explores why he is drawn to outdoor adventures.
McDougall writes about his encounters with the reclusive Tarahumara Indians, a tribe of ultra-fit runners that habitually run extreme distances in the Copper Canyons of Mexico. He eventually becomes involved in a race pitting top Tarahumara runners against some of America’s greatest ultra-marathoners. McDougall also explores other related topics about running such as the development of the modern running shoe and the prevalence of modern running injuries.
Horn narrates his amazing Arctic journey that he traveled alone, against prevailing winds and currents, and without any kind of motor-powered transport. He recounts his near fatal 27 month journey through extreme temperatures with amusement and introspection.
The wreck of the Andrea Doria is known in the diving world as “the Everest of scuba,” where a number of extreme deep-sea divers have met their deaths. McMurray’s dramatic narrative analyzes why divers push themselves to such extremes and discusses many of the past fatal dives. Naval history buffs will be delighted by the historic background of the famous naval disaster.
This book contains a fascinating collection of short articles by the author of Into Thin Air. Krakauer investigates the many facets of mountaineering and why people push themselves to such extremes to reach the top of a mountain.
Snyder’s compelling and descriptive narrative of one of the most brutal endurance sports events imagined, The Race Across America, is a must read for fans of all sports and adventure writing. Only 200 people have ever completed the 3,000 mile, 12 day race that has killed and injured many of its contestants. Snyder tells the story of the race through the perspective of many of the racers themselves, detailing the human experience of completing such an amazing feat of endurance.
Scordoris’ memoir details her amazing life of athleticism that culminates in her race of the 2005 Iditarod, all while legally blind. She writes equally about dog racing as well as the many obstacles she had to overcome growing up and breaking into a sport where many thought she did not belong.
This action-packed memoir details Viesturs quest to become the first American to climb all of the mountains higher than 8,000 meters. He lives by the mantra “getting to the top is option, getting down is mandatory.” Viesturs compelling style explores the personal and professional sacrifices in becoming obsessed with a goal as well as the joy of achieving it.
“Why anyone would want to run a marathon in what is frequently called the Last Place on Earth?” Hanc interweaves his own experience running the marathon with historic background about the continent and marathons along with the noticeable effects of global warming.
This book tells the story of the intense rivalry among three men to beat the four-minute mile. The narrative culminates in the historic race that occurred on August 7, 1954 when Roger Bannister became the first person to break the incredible milestone. Bascomb writes an engaging story that shows a sport in transition and the amazing athleticism and drive of three great runners.
Pomerantz tells the story of the untelevised game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knickerbockers, where a young Wilt Chamberlain stunned a crowd with a 100 point game. The book explores the fascinating characters associated with the game as well as how different the sport was at the time.
This book tells the inspiring story of a hearing-impaired American teenager who became the first woman to swim across the English Channel.