Description
By (author) Stafford Ed
Short /annotation
A unique and fascinating examination of 25 great explorers through the vital kit they took with them on their iconic expeditions, all brought to life by commissioned illustrations and archive photography.
‘A fascinating and unique look at these celebrated expeditions. Ed Stafford knows all too well how important an explorer’s kit can be and this brilliant book gives great insight into the role it plays.’ —Sir Ranulph Fiennes
In this unique and enthralling book, explorer and survivalist Ed Stafford curates
25 great expeditions through the lens of the kit these remarkable explorers took with them. In an environment where lack of preparation could mean certain death, the equipment carried, ridden and sailed into uncharted territories could mean the success or failure of an expedition. Was it simply a case of better provisions and preparation that helped Amundsen beat Scott to the South Pole? And how has the equipment taken to Everest changed since Hillary’s first ascent?
Through
carefully curated photographs and
specially commissioned illustrations we can see at a glance the scale, style and complexity of the items taken into the unknown by the greatest explorers of all time, and the impact each item had on their journey. How it potentially saved a life, or was purely for comfort or entertainment, and how these objects of survival have evolved and adapted as science advances, and we plunge further into the extremes.
Conquering fears and mountains, adversity and wild jungles,
each item these explorers flew, pulled or hauled
played a crucial role in their ambitious and dangerous missions to find out a little more about our world. Through each of these objects, we can gain a better understanding ourselves.
Get an intimate view of these and more amazing expeditions:
- Roald Amundsen, race to the Pole: Norwegian expedition (snowshoes, Primus stove, piano, violin, gramophone… )
- Amelia Earhart, first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean (Bendix radio direction finder, parachutes, emergency life raft, rouge… )
- Tim Slessor, first overland from London to Singapore (machetes, crowbar, typewriter, Remington dry shaver, tea… )
- Nellie Bly, around the world in 72 days (Mumm champagne, accordion, silk waterproof wrap, dark gloves…
This book is also available in a black and white paperback edition under the title EPIC EXPEDITIONS: 25 Great Explorations into the Unknown.
Table of contents
Introduction
Nellie Bly 14
Round the world in 72 days
Captain Robert Falcon Scott 20
Race to the Pole: Terra Nova expedition
Roald Amundsen 30
Race to the Pole: Norwegian expedition
Lieutenant Colonel Percy Fawcett 38
Search for the lost city of ‘Z’
Eva Dickson 46
First woman to cross the Sahara by car
Clärenore Stinnes 52
First circumnavigation of the globe by production car
Amelia Earhart 60
First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean
Thor Heyerdahl 68
Kon-Tiki expedition
Jacques Cousteau 78
First underwater archaeology operation
Sir Edmund Hillary 84
Everest first ascent
Tim Slessor 94
London to Singapore by Land Rover
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston 104
First solo-sailed circumnavigation of the globe
Robyn Davidson 114
Trek across the deserts of west Australia using camels
Sir Ranulph Fiennes 126
Transglobe expedition
Reinhold Messner 136
First ascent of Everest without supplemental oxygen
Jason Lewis 144
First human-powered circumnavigation of the globe
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