The 100 Greatest Adventure Books of All Time

National Geographic have compiled a list of the 100 best adventure books of all time. I blogged about this ages ago, but just re-discovered it and thought it worth another airing.
It seemed a perfect excuse to ask about people’s own personal favourite adventure/travel/expedition books. I am always looking for new, quality books to read and learn from, so please do post a comment or drop me an email with your own opinions.

The National Geographic list is, clearly, deeply flawed. The two greatest travel books of all time didn’t make the cut, nor did my own personal favourite book. It is hard to quibble though with their choice of Number 1, Apsley Cherry Garrard’s ‘The Worst Journey in the World’ (which I blogged about here).

If you enjoy books, reading, excerpts and recommendations then do also dip into my Books blog.
Have a look at the complete National Geographic list here, see how many you’ve ticked off, and howl at what you perceive to be the unforgivable omissions. Then share them with me.

Here’s the Top 10.

1. The Worst Journey in the World, by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
2. Journals, by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark
3. Wind, Sand & Stars, by Antoine de Saint-Exup ry
4. Exploration of the Colorado River, by John Wesley Powell
5. Arabian Sands, by Wilfred Thesiger
6. Annapurna, by Maurice Herzog
7. Desert Solitaire, by Edward Abbey
8. West With the Night, by Beryl Markham
9. Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer
10. Travels, by Marco Polo

Any more suggestions? What would you add to this list…
How many of them have you read?

26 Comments

Rob Chambers 04/02/2009 at 14:42

As I’ve already ticked off (well, you’ve just got to Russia) “the two greatest travel books of all time”… and have your personal favourite ordered, what others can you suggest?
admin 04/02/2009 at 14:49

Rob,
Have you read The Worst Journey in the World?
A Time of Gifts? White Spider? Living Dangerously? The Life of My Choice…?
Rob Chambers 05/02/2009 at 10:06

Thanks Alistair, some good suggestions there. Added a couple to the “wanted list”. It was actually Ranulph Fiennes’ “Mad, bad and dangerous to know” that somehow led me to your books. Maybe it was the amazon “…Bought This Item Also Bought”.
I’ll get back to your Siberian winter first.

Thanks,

Rob
Rob Chambers 05/02/2009 at 10:08

Ooops, I apologise for the misspelt name!
dave 07/02/2009 at 16:38

Have you read ‘The Backpacker’ by John Harris? Amazing true tale that really captures the young spirit of adventure. Also, I really enjoyed ‘The Gringo Trail’ by Mark Mann a while back… neither would be in the ‘classic’ list, but ‘the backpacker’ especially will always be a personal favourite of mine..
- tanvir 07/05/2013 at 09:59
  
  you are wrong . best adventure story of all time is the worth journey in the world
Kyle Archer 10/02/2009 at 07:54

‘Exploration Fawcett’ is a great read about Fawcett’s amazing expeditions into South America and his search for the lost city of ‘Z’.
100 greatest adventure books | Sam Dobbin 17/06/2009 at 14:05

[…] (Via Alistair Humphrey’s) […]
Al Humphreys 12/08/2009 at 23:17

Any more suggestions? What would you add to this list…
How many of them have you read?
“Challenging Expeditions, Challenging Convention, Challenging Ourselves” | Alastair Humphreys 27/08/2009 at 10:01

[…] Motivation? Expeditions? Photography? A speaker for your event? Or maybe some interesting lists, adventure book suggestions, expedition planning advice or video clips? Or join me cycling round the world, canoeing the Yukon, […]
8 tiny ways in which I’m improving my life | Alastair Humphreys 29/10/2009 at 18:53

[…] about getting stuck into all those books I want to read. Need some ideas of books to read? Try the 100 Greatest Adventure Books of all time for starters. Or one of my […]
dexey 31/01/2010 at 19:49

I know what is missing! 500 mile walkies.
dexey 31/01/2010 at 19:52

and Travels with Charlie.
emmanuel leus 21/04/2010 at 23:33

The list is fascinating for sure and open to endless comments and idea’s.
But one big idea is completely missing form the lists :
the fictional advanture books wish can be as inspiring as any other.
Why not draw up a list of the 100 or any other number for that of good fictional travelbooks.
Let me propose these three entries already :
‘Youth’ by Koseph Conrad
a little gem about a mariner who wants to go east. Very inspiring. Pure joy to read. The man really wants to go travelling.
‘The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket’ by Edgard Allan Poe
It’s a little know story by Poe and in my mind a book about the very worst trip ever set upon by a man.

Would love to see more entries!
- Al Humphreys 01/05/2010 at 02:34
  
  Thanks Manu!
Nation Harris 18/10/2010 at 21:01

Hiya Alastair,
could I recommend a few?

Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara

The Autobiography of a Supertramp by W.H. Davies

I can’t think of anymore, ahaha!
fred blob 18/11/2010 at 16:49

these books are not very recent and there aren’t many but thanx =)
fred blobby 18/11/2010 at 16:50

I CAN RECOMMEND ONE, THE DARK SIDE OF MIDNIGHT BY CAROL HUGHES :) GOOOOOOOOOOODDD BOOK
Darrel Briehl 09/03/2011 at 06:04

I just wanted to comment & say that I was very impressed with the design on your blog & also your writing skills.. happy holidays!
Hamish 17/07/2011 at 07:53

Just finished the Worst Journey after reading about it here. A fantastic read – many thanks for the recommendation. I feel guilty complaining about anything now after reading about the suffering of those fine men.
Peter Cleghorn 17/04/2012 at 11:55

Into the Heart of Borneo by Redmond O’Hanlon
very, very Funny
Marc Frencken 12/05/2013 at 09:58

All the books here are pretty serious/hardcore adventure travel books. I miss some more quirky travel books (and that’s my kind of adventure). Indispensable on the list:
* Round Ireland with a Fridge – Tony Hawk
* Tuva or Bust – Richard Feynman and Ralph Leighton
* Travels on my Elephant – Mark Shand
* Swimming to Antarctica – Lynne Cox
……….
and tons more to find on kickasstrips.com
tim 23/06/2013 at 06:40

In terms of books that should inspire a good mirco-adventure is one red paperclip.
Petteri 02/09/2013 at 09:59

Jean-Yves Domalain: Panjamon
Swanand Apte 10/03/2014 at 09:50

Don’t miss : ‘Blood River’ & ‘Chasing the devil’ by Tim Butcher.
Marshall 16/07/2015 at 22:53

Sounds like I’ve got some reading to do, might I also suggest “the walking drum” by Louis L’amour, “The Walk Series” by Richard Paul Evans, and “Kidnapped” by Robert Louis Stevenson?