The Dolphin's Tooth: A Decade In Search of Adventure

by Bruce Kirkby

From the bestselling author of Sand Dance.

Stuck in an engineer’s cubicle, dutifully beginning the responsible adult life he was raised to undertake, Kirkby is tormented by doubts and boredom. In a fit of rebellion, he quits his job to bicycle the Karakoram Highway in northern Pakistan. He is twenty-two and absolutely clueless. Miraculously, hilariously, he survives — and discovers his life’s passion.

Over the next fifteen years, Kirkby navigates an evermore uncertain and uncommon path, honing his skills on some of the most challenging expeditions the world has to offer. Whether it’s gun fights and crocodile attacks while running Africa’s Blue Nile Gorge, the rescue of a fallen sherpa on Mount Everest, evading capture in Myanmar’s forbidden tropical paradise, or learning to embrace the wilderness on the Tatshenshini River of Canada’s Arctic, Kirkby shares with the reader the excitement, doubts, insights, and even the uncomfortable self-knowledge that a life lived on the edge brings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Canada

370 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2005

About the author

Bruce Kirkby is a writer, photographer and adventurer whose journeys span 80 countries, and include crossing Arabia by camel, Mongolia by horse, and Iceland on foot. He’s been shot at in Borneo, taken hostage in Ethiopia, and captured by Myanmar’s army while on assignment. A travel columnist for the Globe & Mail, and former contributing editor for Explore Magazine, Bruce’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, Outside.EnRoute and Canadian Geographic. The host of CBC's No Opportunity Wasted, and producer of Travel Channel’s Big Crazy Family Adventure, Bruce and his young family recently traveled overland from Canada to the Himalaya, where they lived in a remote Buddhist monastery, a journey detailed in an upcoming book, Kingdom of the Sky (2020).

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this is one of those rare books that I don't really want to finish. This took me a long time to read (comparatively), because I consciously read it slowly, actively putting to down after a short time, in order to savour it.

I knew after the first chapter that, unless it took a very unexpected turn, I was going to enjoy it. By the time I had read around a quarter it was five stars, and, again, barring a significant divergence it would stay five stars. And it held it together to the end too.

This book was a fringe purchase - I saw it online, and thought "hmm, maybe, but the name, the cover... maybe not", but I ended up with it. At first perusal I actually thought it was short stories from the authors life of travels (looking at the many, varied destinations in the chapter headings), but no, it is a fully formed linear narrative.

Bruce Kirkby is a recent graduate working as a software engineer working in a small cubicle in an office in Toronto. I am supposed to be creating a computer model to simulate a head on collision between a freight train with a container of spent nuclear fuel, but I am bored and distracted. Careful not to make a sound, I climb up onto my desk and peer over walls. An unending sea of cubicles that stretches into the distance. The tappity-tap of keyboards and the unremitting drone of fluorescent lights fills the air. Somewhere in each dim cave sits a listless worker. No one walks in the aisles. Everyone is quiet. (Page 8).

And so, mind wandering, Kirkby starts kicking around ideas on where to go on a holiday - on a journey. Deciding that cycling the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan is a good entry-level excursion he finds a friend to accompany him, and sets about the planning, collecting of gear etc.

All the time, Kirkby faced the paranoia and doubt - leaving his job, breaking career path - falling behind his peers, spending his meagre savings on a frivolous 'holiday'. Think Fight Club, or the monologue from Trainspotting...

The decision to quit was made for me by a senior manager who stopped outside my cubicle one morning. After staring for a moment (I suspect he found my long hair, sandals, and rope bracelets disconcerting), the stiff man abruptly barked, "Kirkby, don't you think it is time to get a haircut?"
Without thinking I jumped to my feet and announced i would rather go to Pakistan. My bewildered boss looked like he had just coughed up a furball, simultaneously pleased to be rid of my subversive behaviour but concerned for my flagrant disregard for a career.

Shortly after this, he travel companion withdraws from the journey, having fallen in love. Having committed, Kirkby moves on with his plan. Arriving in Pakistan, he does what every young person ever does on their first trip, hitting on all the classics from being massively overcharged by a taxi driver at the airport (tick); falling ill and hibernating in a hotel room for days (tick); toilet disaster story (tick); nightmare bus journey (tick); and other, generally expected issues. He does however, cycle his planned route, and meet interesting people.

One of the great things about this book is Kirkby's honesty and willingness to share. The other is the clear pathway of his development. From this rookie in Pakistan to where he is at the end.

He visits some fantastic places, and carries out some great journeys - all the while incorporating his skillset - rafting, mountaineering, sea-kayaking, hiking. In between his journeys, he works as a guide in the wilds of Canada, and the chapters which describe these times are no less interesting or action packed, despite competing with exotic destinations like Belize, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nepal, Switzerland and Tibet. Some of these places I have been, but most I haven't. They all have the same connection of being able to get into the wilderness.

The writing style is natural and easy to read. Kirkby is personable, knowledgeable and despite being close to the hippie greenie lifestyle, he isn't. There are no spiritual interludes, no preaching or moralising - just self realisation that there are unspoiled places, and they need to remain that way.

So back to the title and the cover - there is relevance. The title is explained right near the the end, and the photo - while a strange choice - is from his Ethiopia travels. Personally I don't think they are the best choice, but then I am a big fan of excellent cover art/design, and I let them influence my purchasing more than I should.

Kirkby has written another book - touched on in this book, about his crossing of the Empty Quarter (Oman & Saudi), which I will keep an eye out for, but this book is great, and almost inspiring with regard to avoiding the grind of work life, and enjoying real life. But then, we can't all be doing that, otherwise there would be no more wilderness - we would all be out, ruining it.

5 stars.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know 'Into the Wild' is written from a different perspective than this travelogue. However, given my scathing review of 'Into the Wild', I had to make the comparison. Here are my thoughts:

If you want to read a book in the true spirit of adventure, travel, and appreciation of nature and the outdoors, then this one is for you. This book captures what 'Into the Wild' sadly missed--the deep appreciation and (key) respect for wilderness and adventure. Here is a narrator that shrugged off the corporate bounds of western conformatism, but did it with contemplation, mature reflection, and (most importantly) a deep respect for the earth, wilderness, and the people around him.

I feel that Kirkby embraces his passion for the outdoors while maintaining reverence and perspective in his life. A delicate balance that we all struggle for. More simply (but no less important), he writes captivating and entertaining tales of epic travel to all corners of the globe. The writing is superb and the photo insets are magnificent.

Well done Mr. Kirkby! I loved it!

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an aspiring adventurer myself, I loved living vicariously through Kirkby as he goes from one extraordinary experience to another– any one of his travels in isolation would be considered "the trip of a lifetime". Despite many of his adventures being beyond reach for the average human being, he retells his experiences with a humility and beauty that has you cheering him on as if his success is your own. His reverence for nature and those he meets along the way reminds us what travel and living should be about.

[Gordon Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book, a selection of his travels over a decade.
Well paced, informative and humorous. I couldn’t get enough of it.
Very highly recommend.
I will be looking for more if his books.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

In short - this is a well written and candid telling of a decade of Kirby's adventures and extreme wilderness travel experiences.
BIG wilderness experiences too - like cycling the Karakoram Highway of Pakistan... rafting several northern Canadian and Alaskan rivers, as well as the Blue Nile Gorge of Ethiopia... living at the base camp of Mount Everest... the author totally immersed himself, body and soul, into these travels, and he takes you along for the ride.

[Marc Rosove · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. a joyful read of half a lifetime of travel and adventure. The book is separated into chapters; one per adventure. For the most part, each providing enough detail to satiate and keep the readers' interest. At times, I felt some of thr adventures could have been covered in more detail, with their own book. To that, I look forward to one of the author's two other books.

[Megan Strachan-Garrels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how this book was written, as it is broken down in to chapters, which each tell an exciting story of a challenging adventure. It was amazing to be able to relate to some of the misfortunes and awe-inspiring moments that traveling can evoke, while also being able to experience adventure beyond my wildest dreams. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the outdoors, the world and exploration.

[Rhona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about adventure and the search for a fulfilling life. As a lone traveler myself, I immensely enjoyed his courage to conquer new cultures, food, bad water, etc.

Anyone who loves to travel and who has gone on a "search" for a more meaningful life will enjoy reading this story.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirby takes extreme travel to the max. The chronicles of his trips to places almost no one ever goes outline the physical challenges but his descriptions of the landscapes and his interactions with local people make this book an amazing read.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Canadian on an adventure! Made me jealous, but mostly I very much enjoyed living vicariously through him.

[Zoe Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book that will always change how I feel about work, life and travel. I highly recommend this book - you won't regret it!

[Pamela Beason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent account of one young man's outdoor adventures climbing, kayaking, hiking, and biking around the world, and his determination to make a living while enjoying an adventurous life.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspirational books I've ever read. Should be mandatory reading for any travel/adventure enthusiast.

[Shari Reimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure stories and I really enjoyed his style of writing. I also appreciated Bruce’s honesty when things and relationships didn’t go as planned. However, for the author’s passion for photography, I would have expected more and bigger pictures. The cover picture is one I found odd to have represent his whole book. Also I would have loved more detailed maps of his routes. That aside I would recommend this book to non-fiction readers.

[Evan Bennewies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caution: if you're an engineer who likes being outside this book will definitely make you question your life choices and potentially want to quit your job. This is all the more meaningful for having waited 10yrs to write the book so that the full progression/departure from engineering can be realized. Great writing, well balanced between digging into details of specific expeditions and moving quickly enough to fit in 10yrs worth of expeditions.

[Cody Zabit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just so well written in such a simple way. The book is broken up into different adventures and they are all unique in their own way. One of my favorite pick up and down books I've ever had.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a travel book and this one did not disappoint!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was just as great as the first time I read it.

[Karen Donaghy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on outdoor travel adventures

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this book 6 stars if I could. Incredible story and beautifully told.

[Janet Barclay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not the type of book I usually read, but was chosen by a book club I am joining. In the first two pages, I learned many things and was already intrigue. I found it slow going in some sections, but for the most part it was a great read. I still have no interest in participating in wilderness adventures, but I now have a better understanding of people who do!