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The Expedition #3
To The Brink
We re-join The Expedition for its third and final instalment with Jason, now seasoned explorer, and April, American schoolteacher at sea for the first time, battling to keep their tiny pedal-powered boat Moksha from being dashed against Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Crossing the infamous Coral Sea they’ve endured towering waves, gale-force winds, and rogue currents pushing them off course for days at a time. On her thirtieth consecutive day of seasickness and now haemorrhaging blood, April is in urgent need of medical treatment. But in the uncharted waters north of Cape Flattery, far from coastguard assistance, what hope is there?
Even if they survive, Jason faces untold hazards to complete the first journey around the world using only human power. Waterless deserts. Staggering mountains. Seaborne pirates. Extremist hotspots. And there is still the burning question he set himself at the beginning, the one driving him forward over the years that will take him To The Brink for the answer…
Crossing the infamous Coral Sea they’ve endured towering waves, gale-force winds, and rogue currents pushing them off course for days at a time. On her thirtieth consecutive day of seasickness and now haemorrhaging blood, April is in urgent need of medical treatment. But in the uncharted waters north of Cape Flattery, far from coastguard assistance, what hope is there?
Even if they survive, Jason faces untold hazards to complete the first journey around the world using only human power. Waterless deserts. Staggering mountains. Seaborne pirates. Extremist hotspots. And there is still the burning question he set himself at the beginning, the one driving him forward over the years that will take him To The Brink for the answer…
432 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Jason Lewis
5 books26 followers“Arguably, the most remarkable adventurer in the world today.”—THE DAILY MAIL
Jason Lewis is an award-winning adventurer, author, and voice for global sustainability, recognized by Guinness World Records as the first person to circumnavigate the Earth without using motors or sails: walking, cycling, and inline skating five continents, and kayaking, swimming, rowing, and pedalling a boat across the rivers, seas, and oceans. Taking thirteen years to complete, the 46,505-mile journey was hailed “the last great first for circumnavigation” by the London Sunday Times.
RECORDS
Jason has set three additional records: the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from mainland Europe to North America by human power (February 1995, Lewis and Smith); first crossing of North America on inline skates (September 1996, Lewis); and first crossing of the Pacific Ocean by pedal power (August 2000, Lewis).
AWARDS & MEDIA
He has been nominated The Times inGear Man of the Year (2007), the Land Rover Toughest Sportsperson of the Year, and featured as one of Sport Magazine’s Athletes of the Year. A Fellow of London University, the Royal Geographical Society, and The Explorers Club, he has appeared on numerous television and talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), and CBS This Morning.
BOOKS
A frequent contributor to magazines (Men’s Fitness, Sports Illustrated, Geographical) and travel books (Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul, HCI, 2002; Flightless, Incredible Journeys Without Leaving the Ground, Lonely Planet, 2008; The Modern Explorers, Thames & Hudson, 2013), Jason is the author of The Expedition trilogy (BillyFish Books, 2012/3): Dark Waters, The Seed Buried Deep, and To The Brink.
He is a popular speaker and sustainability advocate. Find out more at jasonexplorer.com.
Jason Lewis is an award-winning adventurer, author, and voice for global sustainability, recognized by Guinness World Records as the first person to circumnavigate the Earth without using motors or sails: walking, cycling, and inline skating five continents, and kayaking, swimming, rowing, and pedalling a boat across the rivers, seas, and oceans. Taking thirteen years to complete, the 46,505-mile journey was hailed “the last great first for circumnavigation” by the London Sunday Times.
RECORDS
Jason has set three additional records: the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from mainland Europe to North America by human power (February 1995, Lewis and Smith); first crossing of North America on inline skates (September 1996, Lewis); and first crossing of the Pacific Ocean by pedal power (August 2000, Lewis).
AWARDS & MEDIA
He has been nominated The Times inGear Man of the Year (2007), the Land Rover Toughest Sportsperson of the Year, and featured as one of Sport Magazine’s Athletes of the Year. A Fellow of London University, the Royal Geographical Society, and The Explorers Club, he has appeared on numerous television and talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC), Good Morning America (ABC), and CBS This Morning.
BOOKS
A frequent contributor to magazines (Men’s Fitness, Sports Illustrated, Geographical) and travel books (Chicken Soup for the Traveler’s Soul, HCI, 2002; Flightless, Incredible Journeys Without Leaving the Ground, Lonely Planet, 2008; The Modern Explorers, Thames & Hudson, 2013), Jason is the author of The Expedition trilogy (BillyFish Books, 2012/3): Dark Waters, The Seed Buried Deep, and To The Brink.
He is a popular speaker and sustainability advocate. Find out more at jasonexplorer.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 3, 2017
I was so impressed by the way the quality of the descriptive writing continued to improve through the course of the 3 books.
I gave 4* for the first two, so this third one has be worth 5*.
I'd love to see Jason take on another challenge - but, being realistic, how could he top this one?
I gave 4* for the first two, so this third one has be worth 5*.
I'd love to see Jason take on another challenge - but, being realistic, how could he top this one?
May 30, 2020
Amazing. This trilogy has been one the most brilliant set of books I've ever read. So inspiring. Hats off to Jason Lewis!
The difficulty of the journey is particularly noticeable in comparison to the first two books and the honesty that he writes with is fantastic, not holding back in explaining various frustrations with beaurocracy and rude/cruel people, and some relationships with travelling partners.
Again, the writing and pace of the book is class. Gets better and better as it goes along, right to the very last page. I wish there were more books in the series. It seems such a shame that huge chunks of the journey are only briefly mentioned.
Loved every page of these books.
The difficulty of the journey is particularly noticeable in comparison to the first two books and the honesty that he writes with is fantastic, not holding back in explaining various frustrations with beaurocracy and rude/cruel people, and some relationships with travelling partners.
Again, the writing and pace of the book is class. Gets better and better as it goes along, right to the very last page. I wish there were more books in the series. It seems such a shame that huge chunks of the journey are only briefly mentioned.
Loved every page of these books.
September 26, 2018
Enjoyed the series and sad to see it end.
I found that the series was a well told account of life on the ( human powered) road.
It had a good balance of the places and people, different experiences, pitfalls , inspiration, learning experiences and humor, and the reintegration into "normal" life( the good, the bad and the ugly). It was interesting, I wasn't bored and it didn't read text bookish.
These are the type books that I wish I had the paperback versions for my bookshelf, a re-read for sure.
I found that the series was a well told account of life on the ( human powered) road.
It had a good balance of the places and people, different experiences, pitfalls , inspiration, learning experiences and humor, and the reintegration into "normal" life( the good, the bad and the ugly). It was interesting, I wasn't bored and it didn't read text bookish.
These are the type books that I wish I had the paperback versions for my bookshelf, a re-read for sure.
July 14, 2023
This whole series was absolutely incredible. You feel like you were on the expedition. Emotions, evolution, and the long struggle to keep this thing afloat are palpable. Not only is a sin incredible expedition, Jason Lewis is an excellent writer. I didn’t want this book to end. Now, what do I do with my life?! The nice thing is this expedition really turned into an environmental call to action. I appreciated how the book included action steps.
July 18, 2018
A truly fascinating read that takes you right along on the expedition. The writing is really so good you are drawn into the narrative and feel as though you are right there experiencing all the ups and downs along the way.
An excellent three book set which I'm sure that I will want to read again in the future.
An excellent three book set which I'm sure that I will want to read again in the future.
November 27, 2020
The conclusion of a 13.5 year journey across the planet all done by human power. It's an epic adventure and I enjoyed reading every word. I wonder if something similar could happen in 2020 (obviously not during covid). Hell of a ride, and I'm glad I discovered Jason by chance while watching a recording of Long Way Down amidst the pandemic.
March 1, 2018
Amazing around the world journey that took over a decade.Written in understandable everyday language,the author really makes the reader feel as if they are there,experiencing the journey with him and the assorted fellow travellers accompanying him along the way. A real trip.
May 28, 2018
Highly enjoyable, frank and honest account of his human powered circumnavigation of the world. His descriptions of the highs and lows of expeditionary travel are fascinating and even if the writing can feel a little 'forced' at times the book never loses its grip on you. Whole trilogy recommended.
August 21, 2018
An incredible journey! This is probably the most astonishing and epic journey I’ve read about. Mr. Lewis deserves my admiration for fulfilling an impossible task, proving his resilience and determination time after time. A triumph of the human spirit, I am sad to see this trilogy go.
August 13, 2017
Way too long.
March 13, 2021
Read all 3 books. Incredible. 3 of the best books I have ever read. This man is inspiring I feel lost without having these to read now!
Recommended to anyone. This story is fantastic.
Recommended to anyone. This story is fantastic.
June 25, 2021
The 13-year journey to navigate the planet comes to an end. Fascinating story but at times it seemed just a bit too long. Definitely inspirational.
September 21, 2023
This is the third book which completes the epic true journey of Jason Lewis circumnavigating the earth by human power. All three books are amazing reads.
October 22, 2023
Much to his credit, Jason Lewis paints himself as a bit of a wanker, but you’ve got to be in order to complete a journey like he did.
August 27, 2021
Just finished the third and final book about Jason Lewis’ self-propelled trip around the Earth. It took 13 years, due to fundraising and recovering from injuries, namely a hit and run as he skated through Pueblo, Colorado. Other modes of transportation were bicycling, walking, kayaking, and his trusty custom pedal boat Moksha, which means transcendence or enlightenment in Hindu—a state Jason attains while pedaling across the Pacific Ocean. The books are as much about his environmental and cultural observations as he makes his way through 37 countries, as well as the physical and logistical difficulties of a human-powered circumnavigation: malaria, emaciation from sea sickness, interpersonal relationships, equipment failures, and geo political bureaucracy. Damn, he was tenacious!
I didn’t want it to end. His description of that last bit along the Thames, reunited with friends that joined sections of the expedition and the terrible time he had reintegrating into a high-tech society while burdened with the trauma of his survival, brought tears to my eyes.
His expedition (1994-2007) was documented on film and in journals for school children and on https://www.expedition360.com/, but regrettably I haven’t been able to find a documentary.
I didn’t want it to end. His description of that last bit along the Thames, reunited with friends that joined sections of the expedition and the terrible time he had reintegrating into a high-tech society while burdened with the trauma of his survival, brought tears to my eyes.
His expedition (1994-2007) was documented on film and in journals for school children and on https://www.expedition360.com/, but regrettably I haven’t been able to find a documentary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2017
The conclusion of the series did not disappoint. I was left remembering that although the world has shrunk in many meaningful ways, there remain a vast variety of cultures and ways of living on this earth. I also am left with the feeling that materialism is killing our planet, and has truly brought us To The Brink.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews