Between Extremes

by Brian Keenan, John McCarthy

For four years, Brian Keenan and John McCarthy were incarcerated in a Lebanese dungeon. From the blank outlook of a tiny cell, with just each other and a few volumes of an ancient American encyclopaedia to sustain them, they could only wander the wide open spaces of their imagination. To displace the ugly confines of their existence, they imagined walking in the High Andes and across the wastes of Patagonia. Five years after their release, Brian and John chose to travel together again to see how the reality of Chile matched their imagination and to revisit their past experiences. Between Extremes is the story of that journey.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Biography, History

392 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 1999

Reviews

[Reena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Certainly the ‘insane restlessness’ that was our natural reaction to captivity needed to be relieved and fulfilled by exploring this place of our fantasies and we had to go.

Last line from Between Extremes. Having read the blurb, which mentioned that these two guys had been incarcerated in a Lebanese dungeon for four years, I was expecting a wild adventure to follow their freedom. Unfortunately, this was a tame and mellow journey, full of description after description, which had me reaching for bed (or another book!) rather than a backpack. ‘Insane restlessness’ summed up my brain activity crawling through this.

[Thomas Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and interesting account of two friends taking an adventurous trip through Chile to Patagonia. The general travel writing, which is fine, is coloured by their personality and by the running thread Keenan's fascination with the poet Neruda and the historical figure Bernado O'Higgins.

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An expedition from the top of Chile to the bottom, undertaken and written by two men who were held prisoner together in Lebanon together for 4 years and dreamed of Patagonia as a type of diversion therapy.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is a lovely book that, throughout, is tinged with sadness at the recollection of the extraordinary horrors that these men endured.

Between extremes is an eye-opening exploration of some of the lesser known South American histories and sites. It is humourous and sad - political and philosophical. It has something for eveyone and leaves you wanting more.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure what I expected from this book but somehow for me it didn't quite make the mark. Aspects of this book were wonderful, reading two wildly different perspectives on a place was a real treat and reminded me of trips with others where this was the case. Some of the interactions with locals were wonderful, and of course the reason they came to be there was incredible. I wonder somehow if, like many things in life, the thinking about what it may be is way better than what the reality is.

[Artie LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Terry Waite's book about being a hostage, and I have been to Chile, so I read this as a sort of follow-up on both counts. It was a bit ho-hum. I have learned a lot about N Chile, which I had not visited: but I have learned way more than I wanted to know about Neruda. The best section was the horseback expedition, which captured well the bleak remoteness of the high sierras.
Sorry, but not really recommended.

[Verona]

Absolutely love this book. Considering what both had gone through while hostages and how their health was damaged as a result, it was never going to be a 'wild' adventure as some reviewers had expected. And of course there was poetry as Brian Keenan taught English before being kidnapped. But what I loved was the friendship of 2 so totally different people, a friendship forged in the most extreme circumstances, a respect and brotherly love that emerged and has endured.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much to my disappointment, this didn't live up to my expectations; but I don't think that this is the fault of the book itself - I had been hoping to read about the relationship forged in captivity, whereas this reads more like a travel log, with banter between the two friends.

I have dipped in and out, and parts have been really interesting, but at just over a month to finish it, it rather speaks for itself as to whether I fully engaged with the book.

[Ruth Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. They were able to convey their feelings during the adventure of exploring Chile and give a description of the scenery without going overboard and losing me. I have wandered through Argentina so had a connection with Patagonia and the fantastic mountainous scenery. This book made me want to read books by both of them about their 5 years being held in captivity in Lebanon.

[Geoff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a strange read - a book about a journey written by two people who lack curiosity and didn't seem to enjoy the travel experience. I have travelled most of their route and this is a very poor description.

[HadiDee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this when it came out, and after I had read both Keenan’s and McCarthy’s books about their captivity. I enjoyed it then, and had fun reading it again. Their friendship is a thing of joy, even though it was cemented in their captivity. And Bernardo O’Higgins still makes me smile

[Darla Ebert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this particular true life adventure book to be a bit too bogged down in wordiness and unimportant details. The most exciting portion was short on details, that was when the two men, the travelers giving their thoughts in the the story were jailed.

[Morgan K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read both books in regards to their hostage drama. This follow up book is heartwarming and funny. The almost aggressive best mateship between the two is glorious. Highly recommend

[Carole Hazell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two interesting men (having survived kidnapping & incarceration in Lebanon) but this account of their travels in Chile, while well written, is an uninspiring plod. disappointing.

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very tedious account of a journey neither writer seemed to enjoy tremendously. Keenan's segments in particular confirmed my earlier impression of him as being a gobshite.

[Philip Carman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very amusing yet thought provoking account of their journey through South America

[Helen Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

two amazing men, who both have my total respect and admiration.

[Peter Jump · Rating 3 out of 5]

On page 77 and I’ve just had to plough through a couple of tedious poems that Keenan presumably finds beautiful and rich with meaning. Oh dear.

[Beryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1986 Brian Keenan & John McCarthy were kidnapped and incarcerated in a tiny cell during the troubles in Beirut. I had read John McCarthy's biography of that time and in order to displace the confines of his cell he spoke about walking in the High Andes and across the wastes of Patagonia. Five years after their release Brian and John travelled together to see how the reality of Chile matched their imaginations.

I enjoyed this book partly because of the pictorial descriptions of the locations they visited and their humorous encounters but also because it was a great testament to a friendship.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this years ago, and I really enjoyed it. Not only did you get some firsthand information on what their incarceration was like in Lebanon, but also how the strength of the human spirit.
Their descriptions of traveling through Chile and Peru definitely made me want to visit. I can still picture some of the places they traveled through in my mind, years later. I can't remember much of the book, but I would highly recommend it to readers, especially those who are planning a trip to South America.

[Gerard Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When they held hostage in Beriut, Brian Keenan and John McCarthy dreamed of running a lama farm in Patagonia. A fanciful idea.
Five years after they were released they travel the length of Chile in an epic adventure.
The book took a while to get going but the horse trek across the Andes was thrilling and the desolate beauty of Tierra del Fuego certainly leaves an impression.
Infused with humour its a tale of adventure but above all friendship.

[Cheryl Lawrance · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format involves both Authors taking turns to write about each stage in this long journey through Chile. The commentary covers the geographic, political, social and cultural map of the country, harking back to the Allende and Pinochet eras. The relationship of the travellers is more alluded to in their day to day trials rather than in any depth about the time they spent together in Lebanon, but this was not the main aim of the book. A fascinating take on an interesting journey.

[Juliet Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Its a travel adventure, a story of friendship and it's full of poetry from Pablo Neruda! In parts it is very funny and it gives a real sense of the friendship between the two. It also gives a real sense of place, especially during the epic vertiginous trek through the Andes.....

[Alison]

2Beirut hostages had expanded their cell walls by planning to farm take in Patagonia. now free they explore Chile. contrasting styles -Keenan rather obsessed with poet Pablo Neruda -wonderful description s and escapades. horseback rides up on high Andes and fascinating friendship

[Isabel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointing book. First part was really boring while the second part a bit more interesting. A lot of rambling about Pablo Neruda, a mean a LOT!, since the beginning until the very end, with transcripts of his poems throughout.

[Babs · Rating 2 out of 5]

The two ex-Lebanese hostages reunite for this book about their travels through Chile. I didn't like this as it's written turn-about which made it a bit difficult to follow. But I know others who read it and liked it.

[Paypeepoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping the same like The Evil Cradling. But i like the fact that the book includes Pablo Neruda as part of their details! :)

[Hannah Cook · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring. Unbearable rambling about poetry. Very disappointed because the blurb made it sound right up my alley.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book - really enjoyed it.