Our review of : Barbarian Days

The celebrated American author John Steinbeck sets out on a road trip across America with his loyal dog, Charley. Traveling through some of the country’s most diverse and stunning landscapes, Steinbeck reflects on what it means to be an American in search of both personal and national identity. A thoughtful and introspective account of one [...]

Jonathan Meiburg travels the world to learn about and observe birds of prey. He finds that these creatures are much more than just hunters—they are also survivors who have adapted to changing environments and learned how to thrive in spite of threats from humans and other animals. In “A Most Remarkable Creature,” Meiburg shares his [...]

This book tells the story of a young woman’s spiritual journey to Islam. A. Helwa takes readers on a fascinating tour of Islamic history and thought, exploring everything from the five pillars of faith to Sufi mysticism. Along the way, she provides her own unique insights into how divine love can be found in all [...]

“Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road” is a travelogue by Rush drummer Neil Peart. The book documents Peart’s motorcycle journey from Los Angeles to Nova Scotia in an effort to recover from the death of his wife and daughter. For who is this book for ? “Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road” is [...]

“Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster,” by Jon Krakauer, is an account of the author’s journey to Mount Everest and his experiences during the disastrous 1996 climbing season. Krakauer provides a detailed first-hand account of what went wrong on Mount Everest that year, from the initial planning stages all the [...]

Buried in the Sky tells the extraordinary story of how sixteen Sherpa climbers lost their lives on K2’s deadliest day. On August 1, 2008, a group ofSherpas were making their way up to Camp III when an avalanche struck, killing them all instantly. It was one of the worst tragedies in Mountaineering history. In this [...]

In “The River of Doubt”, Candice Millard tells the story of Theodore Roosevelt’s 1914 exploration of a remote and dangerous river in Brazil. After his election loss in 1912, Roosevelt desired to undertake an adventure that would take him away from politics and restore his sense of purpose. He found that opportunity when he was [...]

In a Sunburned Country is an armchair travelogue by Bill Bryson. The author takes the reader on a journey to his favorite country, Australia. Bryson’s irreverent wit and engaging prose make for an entertaining read as he recounts both the well-known and little known aspects of this vast continent. For who is this book for [...]

In Eating to Extinction, Dan Saladino takes a look at some of the world’s rarest foods and why they are in danger of disappearing. From San Francisco’s Dungeness crab to Thailand’s durian fruit, Saladino showcases the unique flavors and textures that make these dishes so special. He also explores how climate change, deforestation, and other [...]

Carol Shaben’s Into the Abyss is an extraordinary true story about a journalist who becomes obsessed with exploring why her brother, a talented pilot, died in a small plane crash. After years of investigating and interviewing survivors of the ill-fated flight, she uncovers an astonishing conspiracy that goes to the highest levels of government. This [...]

In “A Primate’s Memoir”, Robert Sapolsky tells the story of his unconventional life among baboons in Africa. A neuroscientist by training, Sapolsky was initially drawn to study these animals due to their similarity to humans in terms of social dynamics and behavior. Over the course of many years, he became intimately familiar with their lives [...]

This book tells the story of two mountaineers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, and their harrowing experience after they were forced to abandon their ascent up a mountain in Peru. After descending from the summit, Simpson fell into a deep crevasse and was left dangling by his rope over an abyss. In spite of all [...]