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Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen Christopher McDougall |
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Best Foot Forward - A 500-Mile Walk Through Hidden France Susie Kelly A touching and inspiring tale of the Texan pioneering spirit, English eccentricity, and two women old enough to know better.
When Susie Kelly decides, on a whim, to trek alone across France from La Rochelle to Lake Geneva, she entrusts her French farmhouse full of assorted animals to a total stranger from San Antonio, Texas. For each of them it will be a life-changing experience. Both will find their resourcefulness and ingenuity tested to the limit as, in their own ways, they explore and enjoy the culture, cuisine and people of Europe’s most fascinating country.
While Texan Jennifer Shields copes heroically with lost dogs, erratic electricity, old men hiding in bushes, and a language she cannot speak, Susie doggedly tramps 500 miles over unknown terrain, frequently lost and either too hot or too cold.
Armchair travellers will enjoy this tale of laughter and tears following the adventures of two women old enough to know better.
“A book to inspire” GOOD HOUSEKEEPING |
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Two Shadows - The inspirational story of one man's triumph over adversity Charlie Winger From the darkness of a six foot by eight foot cell in solitary confinement to the top of the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere, this is the captivating story of one man's struggle to recover from a troubled past.
This autobiographical book is filled with Charlie's adventures during 35 years of mountaineering, climbing rock & ice, and world travel. People who have met Charlie, attended one of his slideshows, or read his guidebooks will recognize his knack for telling stories. Some are hair-raising, some are a little crazy, and some will have you laughing out loud.
But Two Shadows is about more than climbing. It is the story of a boy who grew up in an atmosphere of neglect and abuse. He made numerous bad choices in life which resulted in his being sentenced to prison at age eighteen. While incarcerated, Winger turned his life around. He obtained his high school diploma, began taking college courses, and learned computer programming. Upon his release, he began a successful career in information technology.
"Although this is an autobiography, the story Charlie tells in this book could be considered as an allegory for whatever personal summits we are attempting to scale. The mental fortitude, perseverance, and bonds of friendship needed to scale the peaks described here are no different than the qualities needed to excel in life in general. It is on the mountain that a person's true nature is laid bare. It has been said that character is revealed not by one's successes, but by how one responds to failure. Charlie shares with us both his successes and failures, and it is apparent that neither has done anything to diminish his indomitable spirit. It is this same spirit that has allowed him to "bounce back" (sorry Charlie) from the illness and fall that would have ended most other climbers' careers."
(quoted from the Introduction by Dave Cooper) |
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Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains Jon Krakauer No one writes about mountaineering and its attendant victories and hardships more brilliantly than Jon Krakauer. In this collection of his finest essays and reporting, Krakauer writes of mountains from the memorable perspective of one who has himself struggled with solo madness to scale Alaska's notorious Devils Thumb. In Pakistan, the fearsome K2 kills thirteen of the world's most experienced mountain climbers in one horrific summer. In Valdez, Alaska, two men scale a frozen waterfall over a four-hundred-foot drop. In France, a hip international crowd of rock climbers, bungee jumpers, and paragliders figure out new ways to risk their lives on the towering peaks of Mont Blanc. Why do they do it? How do they do it? In this extraordinary book, Krakauer presents an unusual fraternity of daredevils, athletes, and misfits stretching the limits of the possible. From the paranoid confines of a snowbound tent, to the thunderous, suffocating terror of a white-out on Mount McKinley, "Eiger Dreams" spins tales of driven lives, sudden deaths, and incredible victories. This is a stirring, vivid book about one of the most compelling and dangerous of all human pursuits. |
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SAS Survival Handbook, Revised Edition: For Any Climate, in Any Situation John 'Lofty' Wiseman For Any Climate, in Any Situation. Newly updated to reflect the latest in survival knowledge and technology, the internationally bestselling SAS Survival Handbook is the definitive resource for all campers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers. From basic campcraft and navigation to fear management and strategies for coping with any type of disaster, this complete course includes: Being prepared: Understanding basic survival needs and preparing essentials, such as a pocket survival kit. Making camp: Finding the best location, constructing the appropriate shelter, organizing camp, and creating tools. Food: What to eat, what to avoid, where to find it, and how to prepare it. First aid: A comprehensive course in emergency/wilderness medicine, including how to maximize survival in any climate or when injured. Disaster survival: How to react in the face of increasingly frequent natural disasters and hostile situations—and how to survive at home if all services and supplies are cut off. |
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Walking Henry David Thoreau An unabridged, illustrated edition of 'Walking' with an introduction by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the essay 'Night and Moonlight,' at book's end |
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Is Walking Good Exercise? Archie Weston Is walking good exercise? Can walking really provide the health benefits normally associated with more demanding fitness programs?
This book makes the case for walking for health and fitness. It suggests that exercise plans based on more demanding activities such as jogging or working out in the gym, far from achieving the health and fitness benefits they promise, fail to deliver for those who need exercise the most by demanding far too much in terms of time and effort. Exercise plans based on regular walking, by contrast, are easy to fit around normal everyday activities, are infinitely flexible and, for those who really enjoy walking outdoors, can be expanded into general leisure activities like walking holidays. The book describes how the most sedentary and inactive among us can quickly draw up, put into practice and feel the benefits from a simple walking exercise program. It also explores how to choose a walking plan to lose weight. And, for further information, a Resources section is included with links to websites on different aspects of walking based activities.
Here is a list of the book contents:
Introduction
Section One-Preamble
Chapter 1 For Strong Stomachs Only!
Chapter 2 Your Emotional Well-being
Chapter 3 Are Blood, Sweat & Tears Necessary?
Chapter 4 Walking: The Great Leveller
Chapter 5 Quick Résumé
Section Two-Preamble
Chapter 6 How Much Walking To Do
Chapter 7 Where To Walk
Chapter 8 Who To Walk With
Chapter 9 Walking Holidays
Chapter 10 Equipment & Clothing
Chapter 11 Planning Your Walk
Chapter 12 The Weather
Chapter 13 How to Find Your Way
Chapter 14 Walking Technique
Chapter 15 Warm Up And Cool Down
Section Three-Preamble
Chapter 16 Walking To Lose Weight
Conclusion
Finally – A Case Study: Me
Appendix 1 Clothing And Equipment Checklist
Appendix 2 Resources
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A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail Bill Bryson The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a hike, it’s probably the place to go. And Bill Bryson is surely the most entertaing guide you’ll find. He introduces us to the history and ecology of the trail and to some of the other hardy (or just foolhardy) folks he meets along the way–and a couple of bears. Already a classic, A Walk in the Woods will make you long for the great outdoors (or at least a comfortable chair to sit and read in). |
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Knots, Splices and Rope Work a Practical Treatise A. Hyatt Verrill The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Knots and splices; Crafts |
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AWOL on the Appalachian Trail David Miller In 2003, software engineer David Miller left his job, family, and friends to fulfill a dream and hike the Appalachian Trail. AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is Miller's account of this thru-hike along the entire 2,172 miles from Georgia to Maine. On page after page, readers are treated to rich descriptions of the valleys and mountains, the isolation and reverie, the inspiration that fueled his quest, and the life-changing moments that can only be experienced when dreams are pursued. While this book abounds with introspection and perseverance, it also provides useful passages about safety and proper gear, with a view into a professional hiker's preparations and tenacity. This is not merely a travel guide, but a beautifully written and highly personal view into one man's adventure and what it means to make a lifelong vision come true. |