Books that make us travel 2

Mountain and adventure literature transports us to majestic landscapes, extreme challenges, and transformative experiences. From epic tales of expeditions to introspective narratives of solo explorers, this list presents a selection of books that capture the essence of life on the edge and the relentless pursuit of the unknown.

1."Into the Wild" (1996) by Jon Krakauer

• A powerful narrative that follows the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who leaves civilization to venture into the Alaskan wilderness.

2. "At the Mountains of Madness" (1936) by H.P. Lovecraft

• A tale of horror and exploration that follows an expedition to Antarctica, where researchers discover ancient ruins and cosmic horrors.

3. " The Jungle Book" (1894) by Rudyard Kipling

• A story full of adventures and lessons about nature, belonging, and the struggle for survival, it also explores the relationship between humans and animals, highlighting Mowgli's search for identity between two worlds: the wild and the human.

4."Kim" (1901) by Rudyard Kipling

• A picaresque spy novel by Sir Rudyard Kipling. Published in 1901 by MacMillan & Co. Ltd., it is set against the backdrop of the political conflict in Central Asia between the Russian Empire and the British Empire, known as The Great Game. Notable for its detailed portrayal of the Indian people.

5. "In the Heart of the Fjords" (1957) by Peter Wohlleben

• A novel that follows the adventures of a young man working at a sawmill in the Norwegian fjords, facing the harsh environment and discovering life in nature.

6. "Midnight's Children" (1981) by Salman Rushdie

• It is a masterful novel that blends history and magical realism to tell the life of Saleem Sinai, a man born at the precise moment of India's independence, on August 15, 1947. Through his narrative, Saleem explores his destiny intertwined with that of the nation, as he and other children born at midnight on Independence Day possess special powers.

7. "Touching the Void" (1988) by Joe Simpson

• A powerful narrative chronicling the climb up the West Face of the Peruvian Andes and Simpson's dramatic rescue after a seemingly fatal fall.

8. "Five Weeks in a Balloon" (1863) by Jules Verne

• A classic adventure novel that follows Dr. Samuel Ferguson's hot-air balloon journey over the African continent, exploring the unknown and facing unexpected challenges.

9."Nanga Parbat Pilgrimage" (1934) by Hermann Buhl

• An inspiring account documenting the first solo ascent of Nanga Parbat, the world's ninth-highest mountain, by Hermann Buhl.

10."Moby Dick" (1851) by Herman Melville

• The story tells of a fierce battle between a group of sailors aboard a whaling ship called the Pequod, who are seeking to capture a mythical white sperm whale called Moby Dick.

11. "Everest: The Summit" (1953) by Sir John Hunt

• The leader of the British expedition that achieved the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 recounts the challenges and achievements of this historic feat.

12. "The Journey of Man" (1929) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

• An autobiographical account by the famous aviator and author, exploring his pioneering experiences in the early days of commercial aviation.

13."The Call of the Wild" (1903) by Jack London

• A classic work that follows the adventures of a dog named Buck as he adapts to life in the Alaskan wilderness during the Gold Rush.

14."Touching My Father's Soul" (2002) by Jamling Tenzing Norgay

• The son of Tenzing Norgay, one of the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, shares his own experiences and reflections on the mountain.

15. " A dollar every thousand kilometers" (1949) Dominique Lapierre

• This document describes Dominique Lapierre's first major journey across America in 1949 when he was 18 years old with only $32 in his pocket.

16. " City of Joy " (1985) Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins

• It is possibly the most recognized book by its author, Dominique Lapierre, which narrates the experiences of several characters in a Calcutta slum. It was adapted into a film of the same name.

17. "Tonight is Freedom" 1947 by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins

• It describes the fall of the British Empire in India in 1947 and the birth of India and Pakistan, following the actions of Lord Mountbatten and Mahatma Gandhi.

18. "Walking Life: The Endless Geography of the Walker" by David Le Breton

• In Walking Life, the renowned anthropologist returns to one of his most passionate topics to offer us a new, interdisciplinary, and highly accessible approach to the experience of walking.

  

19. "The Pillars of Hercules" by Paul Theroux

• True to the travel spirit of his previous books, Paul Theroux offers us, this time, a dazzling chronicle of a journey through the lands bordering the Mediterranean. Traveling during the off-season and using every means except air, the author takes us on a journey filled with amusing anecdotes and surprising encounters with all kinds of characters. Theroux reflects on the stories of other authors such as Hemingway, D.H. Lawrence, Waugh, H. Roth, Joyce, Burroughs, Nabokov, and others who, like him, followed the shores of the Mediterranean.

20. "Seven Years in Tibet" by Heinrich Harrer

First published in 1953, this extraordinary book recounts H. Harrer's extraordinary epic journey through Tibet. Three escapes, two Himalayan crossings, an endless march across the desert plateaus of the Changtang, five years of residence in Lhasa, the trust and friendship of the Dalai Lama, and the terrible Chinese invasion. No Westerner has ever known Tibet as thoroughly as Harrer, nor will he ever know it better. In 1997, J.J. Annaud directed the film adaptation, which immediately became a huge success. The film captures some of the adventures in this book. "I hope these memories awaken in my readers a little sympathy and understanding for a people whose only desire was to live free and independent!" HEINRICH HARRER

These literary masterpieces capture the essence of exploration, adventure, and connection with nature. From narratives of daring climbers to tales of explorers in distant lands, each book offers a unique perspective on the pursuit of the unknown and the human spirit's capacity to face extraordinary challenges.