High Endeavours: The Extraordinary Life and Adventures of Miles and Beryl Smeeton

by Miles Clark

Miles Clarke's moving and exhilarating biography establishes Miles and Beryl Smeeton as the most accomplished traveling and adventuring couple of the 20th century. It is both a love story and an adventure story beyond compare.

Genres: Adventure, Biography, Travel, Nonfiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1992

Reviews

[Kayleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Their adventures were extraordinary but I had a very hard time liking them, especially her. She did whatever she wanted regardless of what anyone said. We could all have grand adventures if we were that selfish and irresponsible. Well written, but I didn't enjoy my time spent in their company.

[Unit of Raine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remain absolutely fascinated by the lives of this extraordinary couple. It is impossible to actually convey the magnitude of the travel and adventures they had.

There's not a continent they didn't cross on foot alone or together. There can't be but a few seas they didn't sea. In addition to everything, they had a subsistence farm on Salt Spring. Unbelievable.

The inclusion of their own writing and correspondence really allows the reader to experience the true colonial British mindset and phrasing (I know many of my 2009 Christmas cards were written with a rather British tone.)

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Done not finished

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not finish

[Zheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of an extradinary couple whose travels were not well-known before this book. Particularly, Beryl Smeeton traveled through Southern China, Burma, South America on foot, alone, in the 1930s. She was not well-known because she does not like spend time writing about her past travels, only planning her new ones. Very interesting book not only about travels, also about life of British in India and other places in the 20s and 30s of last century.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing biography of an extraordinary couple and their adventurous life together. I was mostly impressed by how she lived as such an independent woman in her time...inspiring!

[Melynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Runs the gamut from admiration to horror of this couple and their adventures.

[G Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

extraordinary story & well written

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing couple, amazing adventures. I want to be them.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most amazing book I have ever read. Loved it.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an inspiring and adventurous couple! Makes me want to learn to sail...

[Kate]

Recommended by Lucia van der Post in the FT how to spend it