Alone Against The Sea: And Other True Adventures

by Jon Bowermaster

Readers will feel the bite of icy waters as Jon Bowermaster careens down the most dangerous sections of the Yangtze River-so treacherous the Chinese government has closed it to boaters-and descends for the first time Chile's Futaleufu, one of the most beautiful--and dangerous--rivers in the world. Bowermaster stands witness to some of the greatest expeditions of our time, forming lasting friendships with, among others, polar man Will Steger, first to the North Pole and across Antarctica by dogsled, and Peter Beard, an outsized character still living on the edge of the wild. He sits on the deck with French sailors as they prepare to race around the world single-handedly, each of them knowing few will finish, and some will not come back. He accompanies a pair of expatriate "shagbags" as they head out on a last safari, and is conned on the streets of Baja by a tall-tale-telling fishing guide.

Bowermaster's worldwide travels--set against a backdrop of politics, environmental laws, and governments gone awry--have a common to inform himself, and readers, as best he can about how the world really works. This book is an important addition to the adventurer's library.

Genres: Nonfiction

299 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kind of travel writing that makes you wish you could pack up your life and just do it.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a genre I would never have picked for myself, but it was given to me by the author. So, I read it. And, I loved it. Especially for a geographer, it shows real glimpses into a "traveling" world. Not your average tour guide kind of book. It's more adventurous, and funny, and poignant. I love the way this author speaks and writes.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the author give a slideshow presentation on his kayaking survey of the world, and bought this collection of some of his various sea kayaking tales there. Very entertaining if you're into the sport...

[J.B. Siewers · Rating 4 out of 5]

true adventure stories, loving it