Discover Popular Titles Full Audiobooks in Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

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Title: The Lady and the Panda

Subtitle: The First American Explorer to Bring Back China's Most Exotic Animal

Author: Vicki Constantine Croke

Narrator: Jennifer Van Dyck

Format: Abridged

Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-01-05

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 39 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

Traveling across some of the toughest terrain in the world, the voyage took months to complete and cost Ruth everything she had. But when, almost miraculously, she returned from her journey with a baby panda named Su Lin in her arms, the story became an international sensation and made the front pages of newspapers around the world.

Drawing extensively on American and Chinese sources, including diaries, scores of interviews, and previously unseen intimate letters from Ruth Harkness, Vicki Constantine Croke has fashioned a captivating and richly textured narrative about a woman ahead of her time. Part Myrna Loy, part Jane Goodall, Ruth Harkness is a trailblazing figure. And her story makes for an unforgettable, deeply moving adventure.

Critic Reviews:

"Croke has created an exciting tale, full of the color and spectacle of a lost, exotic era and place." (Booklist)

"Gripping....In dusting off this exciting tale, Constantine Croke returns Harkness to her rightful place in the top rank of zoological explorers." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A surprising slice of life.

What did you like best about this story?

A woman's story that really resonated.

Any additional comments?

Jennifer is a lovely reader and brought a lot of heart to the work.

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Title: The Devil's Teeth

Subtitle: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America's Great White Sharks

Author: Susan Casey

Narrator: Susan Casey

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-06-05

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

Journalist Susan Casey was in her living room when she first glimpsed this strange place and its resident sharks, their dark fins swirling around a tiny boat in a documentary. These great whites were the alphas among alphas, the narrator said, some of them topping 18 feet in length, and each fall they congregated here off the northern California coast. That so many of these magnificent and elusive animals lived in the 415 area code, crisscrossing each other under the surface like jets stacked in a holding pattern, seemed stunningly improbable and irresistible. Casey knew she had to see them for herself.

Within a matter of months she was in a 17-foot Boston Whaler, being hoisted up a cliff to face onto the barren surface of Southeast Farallon Island, part of the group known to 19th-century sailors as the "Devil's Teeth". There she joined the two biologists who study the sharks, bunking down in the island's one habitable building, a haunted, 120-year-old house spackled with lichen and gull guano. Less than 48 hours later she had her first encounter with the famous, terrifying jaws and was instantly hooked. Curiosity yielded to obsession, and when the opportunity arose to return for a longer stay she jumped at it. But as Casey readied herself for shark season, she had no way of preparing for what she would find among the dangerous, forgotten islands.

The Devil's Teeth offers a rare glimpse into the lives of nature's most mysterious predators, and of those who follow them. Here is a vivid dispatch from an otherworldly outpost, a story of crossing the boundary between society and an untamed place where humans are neither wanted nor needed.

Members Reviews:

abridged version suffers

enjoyable but this was my first encounter with an abridged version. it's not cleverly done. they just chop out hunks, leaving you confused.

the story is OK. long parts are not about sharks but you feel her enthusiasm.

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Title: Pole to Pole

Author: Michael Palin

Narrator: Michael Palin

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-01-05

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 120 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

Whilst making his way down the world, Michael took part in an impressive and eclectic array of activities: a Russian kissing dance in Novgorod, a mud bath in Odessa, white-water rapids on the Zambesi and a squash game at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Kartoum.

All of these adventures and more, including trying to buy a camel, are described by Michael Palin in his usual vivid and humorous style, leaving you wide-eyed with wonder whilst also laughing out loud.

Critic Reviews:

"Palin vividly reports on the almost daily changes in panorama and the acutely experienced differences in climate, culture, politics, plumbing, lodgings, food, and mores.....The narrative is witty and Palin's exuberance contagious." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A delightful voyage

I've listened to several of Palin's travels & this is by far one of my favorites (they are all good though!).

In this voyage, Palin and team begin at the north pole then cut down to greenland and through Europe. They eventually reach Africa and continue southwards.

Alas, in South Africa they experience insurmountable transportation issues and have to hop over to South America to continue down to the South Pole.

Palin's narration makes this trip a delight to listen to & brings alive the places they pass through.

fun!

Charmingly eccentric in an English sort of way. Palin is an astute observer and more whimsical than laugh out loud funny. It is nice to hear him read his own work and this book was time well spent.

It's not the destination...

This book is a followup to his Around the World in 80 Days book and, like that volume, is a good companion to the video series although it can be read and enjoyed on it's own. What makes either of these works worth listening to more than once is Michael's humanity when describing the pathos and comedy he encounters in his voyages. The sites that he visits are important, but only as much as they affect, or have been affected by, humanity. It is the stories of the characters and how they go about their lives, and the heart that goes into their telling, that makes you wish you were actually there along for the ride. It is the way that Michael describes the great highs and the dire lows of humanity's habitations and constructions and achievements that make his travelogues the ones that cause you to forget that you aren't actually eating cobra, waiting with trepidation at a hostile border crossing, or fending off unwanted attention. Short of actually going on the trip, this is the best way to go.

AWESOME!

Michael Palin is well-known for his talented acting and as a talented comedian as one of the Monty Python gang. Well, he has another talent - as the author of his "travel" series with the BBC! The book is delightfully written, eloquent, and brings to life as though you were there! A talented man and a delightful "read"!

Superb as always.....

Mr Palin delivers his memoirs with panache and vigour that takes you around the world!

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Title: Sahara

Author: Michael Palin

Narrator: Michael Palin

Format: Abridged

Length: 6 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 02-01-05

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 122 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

From a starting point in Gibralter, Michael makes his way to Morocco, then over the Atlas Mountains to the little-known countries of Mauritania, Mali, and Chad. He travels on the longest train in the world, meets with the Paris-Dakar Rally in the middle of nowhere, and sees the world's largest mud mosque before arriving in Timbuktu.

Then it's a journey with nomadic herders and a camel caravan, to Algeria and a recently re-opened Libya. Finally, Michael returns to the classical remains of Tunisia, where Life of Brian was filmed and he was crucified.

The mysterious, barren desert is revealed to be a place full of people, landscapes, and stories, a vibrant land with a history of civilisation, trade, and conquest stretching from the ancient Egyptians to the oil-rich Islamic republics of today.

Critic Reviews:

"Engaging, detailed insight to the Sahara." (Publishers Weekly)

"With considerable charm, humor, descriptive power, and informative sidebars, Palin provides a lively picture of the people and places he encounters." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

A wonderful journey.

I've known that Palin was doing these "travelogues" for some time now. But I've never gotten around to watching his shows or reading/listening to any of his books. I never really could stand the travel channel, any way.

One day I was poking around Audible, and there it was - "Sahara". I downloaded right away. I wasn't quite sure what I expected but with the name Sahara, it had to be intresting. What I found was delightful real-life story that had me hooks for hours. I finished the whole thing in one sitting. Palin is an excellent story teller and I can't wait to listen to his other adventures.

great travelogue

Where does Sahara rank among all the audiobooks you???ve listened to so far?

This is one of my favorite audiobooks. I listened to it on my 2 mile walk home from the train station every night for a few weeks, and it was a great companion for that stroll.

Palin has a gift for bringing new worlds alive, introducing you to the people he meets along the way and explaining how the travels are going. In this trip they go through Egypt, via ferry deep in Africa, then through the desert. All along the way he brings alive the towns and peoples who they meet in a way that is never tedious or boring.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Made me go download another Palin travelogue right away!

What does Michael Palin bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

His narration is top notch. I am not sure that this would have been a third as engrossing if I'd just read the book.

Classic Palin

Combines humour and an infectious sense of adventure really well. He's as interested in the human side of his travel as much as the buildings and countryside and it's the characters in the book that make it as absorbing and inspiring. Highly recommended.

AWESOME!

Michael Palin is well-known for his talented acting and as a talented comedian as one of the Monty Python gang. Well, he has another talent - as the author of his "travel" series with the BBC! The book is delightfully written, eloquent, and brings to life as though you were there! A talented man and a delightful "read"!

Couldn't finish it

This is the only audiobook which I couldn't finish. I got about three hours in.

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Title: Lost in My Own Backyard

Subtitle: A Walk in Yellowstone National Park

Author: Tim Cahill

Narrator: Tim Cahill

Format: Abridged

Length: 2 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-16-04

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

Cahill stumbles from glacier to geyser, encounters wildlife (some of it, like bisons, weighing in the neighborhood of a ton), muses on the microbiology of thermal pools, gets spooked in the mysterious Hoodoos, sees moonbows arcing across waterfalls at midnight, and generally has a fine old time walking several hundred miles while contemplating the concept and value of wilderness. Mostly, Cahill says, "I have resisted the urge to commit philosophy. This is difficult to do when you're alone, 20 miles from the nearest road, and you've just found a grizzly bear track the size of a pizza."

Divided into three parts, "The Trails", which offers a variety of favorite day hikes; "In the Backcountry", which explores three great backcountry trails very much off the beaten track; and "A Selected Yellowstone Bookshelf", an annotated bibliography of his favorite books on the park, this is a hilarious, informative, and perfect guide for Yellowstone veterans and first-timers alike. Lost in My Own Backyard is adventure writing at its very best.

Members Reviews:

Personal stories of Yellowstone

I have read and enjoyed many of Tim Cahill's travel essays, so when I was headed to Yellowstone this month, this seemed a good choice,

The historical commentary was interesting and fun to hear while in the park this trip. A lot of the book is centered around specific portions of the park, so it it easier to follow if you either know the park or have a map handy.

Unlike other writings, where I find Cahill's wry curiosity great fun, this book has a touch of the sanctimonious about it. He states that it is a huge shame that the vast majority (over 99%) do not do any back-country overnight trips (as evidenced by the number of back country permits issued). This is a running theme in the book. I am certain that Cahill would not be pleased to see those thousands of inexperienced hikers invading his private domain. The restrictions on permits (due to weather, animal safety, inadequate ranger resources and overcrowding) would not allow even a tiny fraction of those car-bound travelers to take to the trails. The park is for all visitors and those who stay in the lodges and campgrounds are financially supporting the park and more importantly demonstrating to the national government that these parks are a resource that ought to be better funded. If the park were reserved for Cahill and his buddies, it would have been sold off to the private sector long ago.

On a minor note, someone who lives in the northwest, even a transplant, should know how to pronounce Oregon (Ory-gun not Ore-gone). Other than that, Cahill was a good choice (that from someone who rarely thinks authors make good narrators)

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Title: Everest 3/23/04 - 1st Call

Author: Joe Hughes, Liz Pace

Narrator: Joe Hughes, Liz Pace

Format: Abridged

Length: Not Yet Known

Language: English

Release date: 03-23-04

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 14 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

This short phone call marks Joe Hughes and Liz Pace's first transmission, while they were staying in a hotel in Kathmandu before heading to Lukla.

©2004 Audible, Inc.

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Title: The Adrenaline Series

Subtitle: High, Epic, and Rough Water

Author: Matt Dickinson, Sebastian Junger, Greg Child

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Abridged

Length: 17 hrs and 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-17-00

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 68 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

For fans of Jon Krakauer's

and other T-type personalities, comes this collection of thrill-seeking adventures:

takes you to the world's most famous peaks with writing from Greg Child, David Roberts, and others;

confronts Everest and K2 with contributions from the likes of Matt Dickinson and Jim Haberl, and

brings you survival stories from the sea, including "The Whale Hunger" by Sebastian Junger, author of The Perfect Storm.

High Compilation and Introductions ©1999 Clint Willis; (P)2000 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.; Rough Water Compilation and Introductions ©1999 Clint Willis; (P)1999 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.; Epic Compilation ©1997 Balliett & Fitzgerald and Clint Willis; Introduction and Chapter Introduction ©1997 Clint Willis; (P)1999 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Members Reviews:

Great read, but frustrating

All of the stories are facinating and appeal to those of us who, for whatever reason, are drawn to the outdoors and extreme adventure challenges. This book creates an interesting problem however in that all of the stories are snapshots of larger stories. In many cases, the storytellers do a tremendous job of painting the visual and emotional pictures of their struggles. However, because a snapshot by it's very definition is not the complete story, the listener is often left wanting to listen to the rest of the story to understand the final resolution. One assumes that since the author wrote the first-hand account, he or she survived the ordeal, but it's still difficult to find yourself fully engaged in the tale, only to then be left on the side of the mountain, or still sailing on the seas, when the story ends.

If you love adventure writing in it's purest form, this is a great listen. But, if you want the full story including it's final resolution, you may want to pass on this one and read the individual books in their entirety.

I disagree with the other two reviews

One thing that the other two reviews didn't mention is you get all 3 (three) books for the price of one credit. You get the High, Epic, and the Rought Water series. I freaked out when I saw that I bought 3 books, but in reality its like getting a 3 for 1 deal.

Ok about the books, yes its true that you only get snip its from the best parts of many books. For example you are read the best chapters from Shackelton's Voyage. The Best parts from "Minus 148 degrees below zero". After listening to these selections I went a bought more books so I could hear the whole story. Consider this the sampler plate of the out door world. I did not enjoy some selections and now I won't buy them. I also did not agree with the actor reading the words to you and forcing emotion on you. After reading the reviews I was listening for it and didn't hear it. Oh well. I loved these books. I felt like it was drinking from a fire hose because it was so much crammed into a short time. I enjoyed relistning to some selecions again and again. That said many selections are 15-40 minutes long. Just long enough for the drive to work, or the trip to town.

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Title: High

Subtitle: Stories of Survival from Everest and K2

Author: Matt Dickinson, Jim Haberl, Chris Bonington

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-17-00

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 90 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

Everest and K2 are among the Earth's most dangerous places, yet the world's best climbers can't stay away from them. This audio program offers a unique perspective on climbing these two peaks, from early exploration disasters, to the modern tragedies. You'll hear writing from Matt Dickinson, Chirs Bonington, David Roberts, and others whose stories remind us, in vivid accounts, why Everest and K2 are so feared yet so irresistable to climbers.

Compilation and Introductions ©1999 Clint Willis; (P)2000 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"This is a superb collection of some of the best mountain and adventure writing of the century." (Michael Kennedy, Editor, Climbing Magazine)

Members Reviews:

Excellent!

Really great stories for anyone fascinated by mountaineering. The stories were all taken from different sources; some are chapters in books, others were articles in magazines. All of them, however, are engulfing and well-written, and well-performed.

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Title: Epic

Subtitle: Stories of Survival from the World's Highest Peaks

Author: Greg Child, David Roberts, Stephen Venables

Narrator: uncredited

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-17-00

Publisher: Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 103 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

"Epic" is a mountaineering term that evokes a sense of treacherous disaster. The climb that went wrong: fighting blinding snowstorms and horrific avalanches; days spent tentbound running low on food, water, and oxygen; surviving broken bones and shattered spirits. This program offers a collection of the most memorable accounts of legend-making expeditions to the world's most famous peaks, often in the worst possible conditions.

Compilation ©1997 Balliett & Fitzgerald and Clint Willis; Introduction and Chapter Introduction ©1997 Clint Willis; (P)1999 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"If you liked Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, read this book." (Peter Kadzis, Editor, The Boston Phoenix)

Members Reviews:

A must for all mountaineers

Some of the classic tales of mountaineering compiled into a well narrated compendium...I didn't know all the climbers, but there was plenty of action from Chris Boardman, Don Whillans and Doug Scott to keep my interest going...

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Title: Life Under Open Skies: Adventures in Bushcraft

Author: Tony Nester

Narrator: Jack Chekijian

Format: Unabridged

Length: 3 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-28-15

Publisher: Tony Nester

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 58 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Adventure & Exploration

Publisher's Summary:

Inspired by over 25 years of practicing and teaching bushcraft throughout North America, survival instructor Tony Nester recounts backcountry tales of nomadic adventures using traditional skills that have faded from the modern world.

Laced with humor, insight, and nerve-wracking encounters with wildlife, sandstorms, flash floods, brutal cold, and unpredictable clients, Life Under Open Skies reveals a rare look into the often misunderstood world of survival. Chapters include:

Bare Bones Survival

Guardian

Flash Flood!

Survival Is All in Your Perspective

Cold

A Five Scorpion Night

KUYI

The Cave Where Tom Lived

Gramps

A Tale of Two Countries

Nightmare on Elm Creek

A Real Man

Ground Tales

Cowboy Tough

Bake

Chill

Repeat

Gift of the Deer

The Amazing Cowpie Firestarting Technique

Three Dog Night

When Yucca Was King

Al Sieber: Master of Bushcraft

The Schism Between Worlds

About the author: Tony Nester is the author of numerous books and DVDs on survival. His school, Ancient Pathways, is the primary provider of survival training for the military Special Operations community, and he has served as a consultant for the NTSB, FAA, Travel Channel, NY Times, Backpacker Magazine, and the film Into the Wild. For years he wrote a popular monthly column for Outside Magazine, and his freelance writing is frequently featured in numerous print publications.

Members Reviews:

Far more than just a how-to manual

I was delighted to receive this book as a gift!

This book was great fun and a bit of a reminisce. Developing (un)common sense and learning what to expect and how to overcome and continue to learn is an invaluable asset to all. The author cheerfully recounts some of his many mistakes in the hope that some readers will not find the need to repeat them. Despite it's definite entertainment level, this book provides much useful knowledge for historical re-enactors, SHTFers, and the usual batch of enthusiastic campers. The tale begins in Michigan and spends much time in the desert southwest with some experiences in Central America. It also seems to be the teaser to get readers involved in the activities as well as an intro to other books he has written on the subject. This is a good thing. Whether the reader is an active camper or of the armchair variety, fun will be had and (un)common sense stimulated!

Narrator Jack is educational where needed, droll where indicated, and generally seems to have had as much fun narrating as we have in listening.

Interesting

Interested in survival? Read this book. It's a behind-the-scenes look at a real survivalist, that starts with his experiences in boy scouts, and chronicles a lifetime of living in nature with minimal gear. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but it's real and raw. The narrator did a great job with it. I received this book,as a gift, in exchange for an honest review.

I love, love, loved this story!

I enjoyed every minute of "Life Under Open Skies." It was fantastic. I live in a rural-ish area and I sat outside under the stars with a blanket and listened which really made me think about the story and what it would take to survive in harsh conditions.

The canyon flood in the story was frightening and I loved the 'Five Scorpion Night' chapter. Another thing I really liked about this book was closer to the end where it talked about buckskin.