Going to Extremes: Mud, Sweat and Frozen Tears

by Nick Middleton

In Going to Extremes, Nick Middleton visits the world's hottest, coldest, wettest, and driest inhabited places. He visits Oymyakon in Siberia, where the average winter temperature is -47 degrees, then Arica in Chile, where there have been 14 consecutive years without a drop of rain, and Dalol in Ethiopia—known as the "hell hole of creation," where the temperature remains at 94 degrees year round. Middleton considers how and why people lives in these harsh environments. He looks at the way both the population, and the flora and fauna, have adapted physically to the climate, and also considers the psychological impact of living under such conditions.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2001

About the author

Nick Middleton is a British physical geographer and supernumerary fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. He specialises in desertification.

Nick Middleton was born in London, England. As a geographer, he has travelled to more than 50 countries. Going to Extremes is a television programme for Channel 4 about extreme lifestyles, in which Middleton experiences life in the hostile conditions other cultures must endure. He has appeared on BBC 2's Through the Keyhole.

Reviews

[Calton Bolick]

Book version of the UK TV series (which I haven't seen). While the four individual sections (Coldest, Driest, Hottest, and Wettest) are enjoyable, I was disappointed that Nick Middleton makes no effort to connect the sections or even come to any overall conclusions about why people live in such extreme realms.

In addition, the sections themselves seemed occasionally padded. The Driest section is the worst offender, with a lengthy section on living at extreme Andean altitudes, which, while fascinating, isn't related to the main topic (this is ironic to me since it's the main reason I bought the book, having visited -- for twenty minutes -- the airport at Arica, Chile, enroute to La Paz, and being curious about this desert beachfront place).

The best section is the first, being a rather vivid look at the peculiar adaptions the people in that Siberian town make to live with (as well as some fascinating descriptions of the phenomena associated with) extreme cold.

Perhaps the TV series is more enlightening, but since it's not out on DVD yet, I can't find out.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the idea of the book and found it a quick and easy read. I enjoyed journeying to the extremes with Middleton and the encounters he found along the way. I feel like I gained insight into different ways of life that have had to make adjustments to survive in their ranging environments. Overall, nothing too extraordinary but I was happy to stumble upon it on a used book store shelf.

[Lee Belbin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a lighthearted well-written look at the coldest, driest, hottest and wettest locations on the planet. It is an easy, informative and entertaining read. Nick was tough enough to brave the extremes and take part in many of the local customs - some of which seemed harder than the climates. Recommended if you are at all into geography and anthropology.

[Georges Alexandre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un-put-downable. I mostly bought this for Siberia and the extreme cold environment, but the most arid, hot and wet were no less interesting. Informal writing, amusing as well as interesting travel anecdotes. A lit abrupt end.

[Ana S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool book not only about the weather but also about the people and traditions of these extreme places. I enjoyed following his trips, circumstances, imagining how was to be in there. Learned interesting facts.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book because these are places that I would never be .The places are described with humor and fairly good endurance .The quality of the videos I found online are not so good ,but still were worth watching to see the experinces written in this book .

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure about this one. The mini series on tv was much better than the book. This took me a long time to get through but it wasn't bad, just not as good as I hoped.

[PMP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better in idea than in writing.

[Mew · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on the travel diary - great subject but found the writing a bit dull.