The Adventurer: The Fate of Adventure in the Western World

by Paul Zweig

The description for this book, The The Fate of Adventure in the Western World, will be forthcoming.

Genres: Literature, Adventure

275 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Ta0paipai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, well thought out, well written. From Gilgamesh to Norman Mailer, I’ve enjoyed many of the adventure literature examined in this book, only now I know why. Zweig reaffirms, adventure is the spice of life, but you don’t need to battle beasts or travel into nine colored lands to achieve them. And although spoils may follow, the prize is the adventure itself.

Why isn’t this gem more we’ll known?

[Skallagrimsen]

What is adventure? Why do we crave it? And what remains of the prospect for adventure in a world now so thoroughly known and tamed? These are the questions at the heart of The Adventurer by Paul Zweig. He examines the archetype of the adventurer as it has evolved in the western world, from the heroes of classical mythology, to the paragons of Christian chivalry, to the protagonists of modern popular culture. He advances compelling conjectures as to why danger and risk seem to appeal, in particular, to the male of our species. He posits that the archetype monopolized the western imagination until the philosophy of Rene Descartes decentered the ideal of physical action in favor of one of pure speculation. If accurate, this would stand as yet one more piece of evidence that the seventeenth century represents the boundary between the premodern and modern mentalities. (I can't recall whether Zweig remarks upon the irony that Descartes, the anti-hero of adventure, himself lived an adventure-filled life. If not, he should have.)

I read this book many years ago, and didn't hold on to my copy. I remember liking it less because I agreed with all its points than because of the precision of its prose, the wit of its presentation, and the irresistible appeal of its concept. I would have thought The Adventurer would be at least a cult classic. I was surprised by how few reviews it's accrued here on Goodreads. It's just possible I'll re-read it someday, should I chance upon another copy, and give it a more in-depth review. It deserves one.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The full title of this book is:
"The Adventurer- the Fate of Adventure in the Western World".

Now what could it possibly be about???
I'll tell you next time because I'm just getting dinner.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

forthcoming, this review...