The Explorers Club: A Visual Journey Through the Past, Present, and Future of Exploration

by The Explorers Club

Discover the extraordinary history and thrilling frontiers of exploration with this gorgeously illustrated guide from The Explorers Club, the esteemed home of the world's most prominent explorers.

The discovery of the North and South Poles. The summiting of Everest. The moon landing. The (largely unknown) birth of climate change science. These are just some of the stories from The Explorers Club, the organization that, since its inception in 1904, has pushed the envelope of human curiosity.

This guided tour of The Club’s most riveting journeys includes hundreds of photos and fascinating anecdotes about The Club’s distinguished members, including Teddy Roosevelt, Neil Armstrong, and Jane Goodall. From the darkest depths of the ocean to the highest points on Earth and to outer space and beyond, this book shares not just the inspirational history of modern exploration, but also reveals how it has evolved and continues to be relevant—even urgent—today.

Genres: Travel, History, Nonfiction, Nature, Adventure, Science

304 pages, Hardcover

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library because I love reading about explorers; I didn't know that The Explorers Club was an actual club, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about its inception and reading about early exploration at the poles. It was sometimes shocking how long it took to overcome injustice and racism in the club, and it was inspiring to see the things people are exploring and studying now.

[Lunnaku · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Explorers Club" takes readers on an exciting journey through the world of modern exploration, shedding light on the captivating adventures and innovations that this esteemed organization is currently involved in. As a long-time fan of exploration and adventure narratives, I was thrilled to dive into this book and discover what The Explorers Club is up to in our contemporary times.

The book effectively captures the spirit of curiosity and the unquenchable thirst for discovery that has defined The Explorers Club for generations. It introduces readers to a diverse cast of modern explorers who are pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, from deep-sea dives into uncharted ocean depths to ambitious space missions exploring the outer reaches of our universe. The tales of their journeys are infused with a sense of wonder and a genuine commitment to the spirit of exploration.

What truly shines in "The Explorers Club" is the glimpse it provides into the cutting-edge technology and scientific advancements that are being harnessed in pursuit of new frontiers. The descriptions of the tools and techniques used by these modern explorers are fascinating and offer a unique perspective on how the field of exploration has evolved over time.

However, while the book succeeds in painting a vivid picture of the club's contemporary endeavors, I couldn't help but wish for a deeper dive into some of the more riveting and unexpected stories of adventure and discovery. While the accounts presented here are undoubtedly intriguing, there seemed to be a missed opportunity to unearth more unconventional narratives that could have added an extra layer of excitement to the book.

In conclusion, "The Explorers Club" offers an engaging look into the current activities and achievements of this storied institution. It is a must-read for anyone with a passion for exploration and a curiosity about what lies beyond our known boundaries. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I couldn't help but feel that it could have delved even further into the realm of captivating and extraordinary stories that would have elevated it to a full five-star rating. Nonetheless, it remains a commendable addition to the world of modern exploration literature.

[Shawn Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud to be a member of this outstanding, historic club.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you want to see some explorers plummet off a cliff, this is the place. Written in honour of the Explorers Club of New York, it starts wonderfully. I dare say Adolphus Greely is limited to being in American books, as I'd never really heard of the man and his exploits, but these chapters early on – even when reciting how Shackleton and two others had to bare-butt toboggan down a mountain (and not plummet off a cliff) for their very survival – are vivid, colourfully written and redolent of the best stories the Club's halls could ever hear.

Some of that tries to stick around in the second third, as we get closer to our own timeline, and see the changes in what exploration means when the map is filled in, the dragons have been chased from the printers' margins and the superlatives are being ticked off. But the rot sets in. Yes we have the evenings in the Club with the Apollo survivors, and solar planes, etc, but we get a fair bit of underwater observations, which – perhaps through lack of exposure and unfamiliarity – just don't float my boat nearly as much as the rest. And we also get nearly drowned in the subaquatic pressure of wokeness.

By the third and final chunk here we are clutching at straws – someone gets lauded for being the first female of colour to do something. That is not a First. Fer cryin' out loud, you've already had one mahoosive expert in these things say young wannabe explorers should latch on to someone they see and admire – and it doesn't matter what gender, colour, shape, age and wealth they are. Here's a lifelong boffin at such things nixing the 'representation is everything' shtick, and the author having to ignore that 'wrong' message and plough his own furrow.

Yes, to be fair, the Club has been woeful in allowing non-whites and women to be represented, to quite disgusting levels. But don't pander to this cause just to fill a book like this, especially when it started so well.

Rant over. By the end we see the real diversity the subject brings – the explorers of tomorrow are conserving turtles, crunching data for space knowledge, even perhaps training AI to detect exo-planets, but all the whole this section seems to be an advertorial for anyone the author met in the Club, and not anything with a precise thesis to back up.

As a survey of the whole industry of exploration, an homage to the greats, and as a touchstone connecting us to those doing it now, quite often too far from the media glare, this starts marvellously and goes downhill fast. Quite regrettable.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very nicely produced and photographed book!

I'd never heard of The Explorers Club prior to reading this, and enjoyed learning about it and its mission. Quite inspiring, and makes me want to "keep on travelin'," as Rick Steves would say.

I learned a lot about previously unknown (to me) explorers, and especially enjoyed the photography. The club and I definitely differ in terms of scientific approach (and the book has its share of hot-button topics, notably climate change and inclusivity) and attribution; the club--at least in this read--attributes life and earthly existence to evolution compared to my attribution to and belief in the Creator. That felt a bit at odds to me; reading so many of the stories and pictures, I came away asking how one could _not_ believe in God. But here we are.

Still, definitely an interesting read and a stepping-stone for further reading and research.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[David Clifton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Explorers Club was founded in New York City in 1904 with the goal of promoting scientific exploration and field study.  It is renowned for various "Famous Firsts" accomplished by its members, including first to:
The North Pole (1909), South Pole (1911), summit of Mt. Everest (1953), deepest point in the ocean (1960), and surface of the Moon (1969).

"The Explorers Club" was easy to read, with dozens of high-quality photographs, and encouraged me to learn more about several historic explorers. The book describes three eras of exploration.
1) Expanding the Maps: Chasing the Dragons 
2) Breaking the Boundaries:  Climbing Higher and Diving Deeper
3) Curiosity in Action:  The New Golden Age of Exploration

"Our whole history has been one of dragon-pushing. Pushing dragons back off the edge and filling in those gaps on the maps. And that is a key role that The Explorers Club has provided."  -  John Glenn (2013 speech at The Explorers Club annual black-tie dinner)

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter loves Josh Gates and all of shows including one about the Explorers Club so she was excited to read this. Afterwards the book ended up in my reading pile which means she liked it and wanted me to read it. I liked it too and enjoyed learning about a handful of explorers many of them I had never heard about and how the club evolved. It isn't just about exploring but about overcoming discrimination within the club and throughout the history. It's a history of science from early explorers and how science has evolved to include conservation. There is just so much that explorers achieved that has given us more knowledge about the world and even about the universe. I learned a lot from this book and am glad my daughter gave it me to read.

[Steven Townend · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must admit I was fooled a bit by this book. It was all about exploration, but modern exploration whereas I am a fan of the golden age of exploration when people often went into the unknown or not fully knowing what to expect. This book only stats with exploration of the late 19th century and concludes with the latest space exploration. Of course it reflects the activities of The Explorers Club which has only been in existence since the 1900's. A lot of the book covers the socialization of the exploration process and many insights into the environmental side of exploration - not what I was interested in.

[Justice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the library on a whim. To say I was let down is an understatement. Part braggart and part gate keeping, this nothing more than to beat the chest of people who belong to special club. I have read quite a bit about different explorers over the years and would recommend people to just thumb through this and get names of explorers you wish to read about. I read somewhere that modern day exploration is just an adventure with a purpose. I will take that and leave the elbow rubbing elites to themselves.
2 stars for photography
1 star for the book itself

[Theresa Bayoud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting overview of the Club and its members. I wonder how much of it is incorrect. It stated that Theodore Roosevelt explored the River of Doubt in Panama. Incorrect! River of Doubt is in Brazil. Listening to unabridged audiobook from library.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am totally fascinated by The Explorers Club and was so excited to see this on display at the library. Great overview some of the classic and modern expeditions of club members. I might have liked a bit more nuts and bolts about the actual club, but a fun read nonetheless.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sections were pretty interesting, others, not so much. I did appreciate that the book acknowledged, and the club now recognizes native people and minorities who contributed to many historical moments who were marginalized back in the day.

[Jer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, and a cool organization, but feels like the intent of the book was to rebrand… additionally, I listened on audio and it seems like it’s maybe structured around pictures or as a coffee table book. 🤷‍♂️

[NonFiction 24/7 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts out really good but some of the more current exploration is not as interesting. Great Pictures

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look back at the historical Explorers Club and notable explorers

[Jay Que · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you love exploration read the books written by the explorers in this book.

[Fixie Nice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read and some history

[John Hewlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a seriously great overview of the history and future of the Club. It could've use a little more editing though. Nothing egregious.

[Ashlyn Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top 5 reads of 2024!

I picked this book up through the library, not really sure what to expect but liking exploration stories it seemed like a good option. It was so good, and SOOOOOO MUCH info. There were so many explorers that I had never heard of, like Matthew Henson and Josephine Peary. It also blows my mind that the first time someone circumnavigated the world by balloon was in 1999....it feels like it would have been earlier than within my lifetime. 

This book did an AMAZING job of telling a mix of stories of explorers. Sure, there's the successes by the men you have heard of included, but there's also so many stories of the women and people of color who were ALSO exploring. There's also stories of the explorations that didn't go so well. 

It also does a really good job of addressing the sexism and racism within the club's history, not just skimming over it like it never happened, while also telling of the change that has happened through the decades. 

And, for it being a non-fiction book, it has a very good flow to the story telling that makes it feel more like a collection of interwoven short stories. The photos are also incredible.

This book in general, but especially the polar exploration section, has opened up a new current hyper fixation, and I am okay with that. It also has an awesome reference list, broken down by chapter, which wille be a great starting point for a deep dive into various explorers. So excited for it, and I fully expect that by the end of the year this will still be a top 5 reads contestant.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenager, I was an Explorer Scout based at the Explorer's Club in New York City. This book perfectly evokes the history and awe the physical place creates — and tells the stories of many of the (almost all) men who explored our planet's mountains and seas and then came to the Club to tell their stories. This book compiles some of those stories alongside outstanding photos. It's a fascinating look at a time when there was so much to learn about the Earth and its people. It doesn't shy away from the fact that these discoveries often led to exploitation. But most powerful is the book's focus on the future: there is still so much to explore and discover on our planet and in the wider universe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Randal White · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a young man, I scoured our local library (pre-internet) for information on famous explorers and their adventures. That's when I discovered the "Explorer's Club". Many an afternoon and evening was spent reading and daydreaming about their exploits.
Reading this book took me back to those days, and reignited my old passion. I was very pleased to see that the book did not just cover the old "white men on safari" trope, but included female explorers in it's chapters. Also subjects like exploring space.
It's well written, fun, and expands your knowledge and horizons.
Hopefully we will never run out of new places to explore!

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the show with Josh Gates so I was excited to get this and read it.