“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.”
- Jacqueline Kennedy

I am a fan of Brian Gardener’s WordPress Revolution Theme and while browsing those themes support forums I came across Book Dads which is a great book site focusing on Fathers That Read.

There are lots of great reviews & recommendations with a focus on positive views of fatherhood but just a lot of great books listed and encouragement to read for both parents and children. That certainly is a message we endorse here. Visiting the site I came across some appealing titles and was reminded of a few old favorites as well. Check them out, it’s worth the visit.

BookDads.com - Fathers That Read

The Prairie Free Library - Prairie, ID

Source: Wikipedia

Author of over 100 novels, storyteller Louis L’Amour is certainly best known for his westerns and that certainly is the genre with which his name will always be remembered. He did venture at times though from his standard, leaving behind his most recognizable settings. Here are three favorites that are not westerns, though some of L’Amour’s archetypes are still easily recognizable.

We often sang as we marched, and there was always the sound of the marching drum, a sound I shall hear all my life, so deeply is it embedded in the fibers of my being.” ^{pg. 265}
This book follows the adventures of Kerbouchard - traveler, warrior, scholar, slave - through the lands of 12th century Europe and the Middle East as he searches for his father. The course of his journey leads him through the dark and light aspects of mystical foreign lands and he crosses the paths of commoners and king, always learning from those around him. An exciting book, a great adventure and a recommended read for those who like to read of history and distant lands through the eyes of character living in those times.

Through the dark forests and frozen wastelands of Siberia, American Indian test pilot Joe Mack is running for his life. Shot down and illegally captured by a ruthless Soviet Colonel, he escapes and must rely on the wit and skill of his upbringing and the instincts of his ancestry while eluding military search parties and a cold-blooded Siberian tracker.
Set sometime in the 1980’s, this story is a good manhunt adventure. Sometimes the cliches are a bit glaring and the stereotypes obvious, but it is pure L’Amour - with battles, cruel natural settings and even an enigmatic love interest as extra incentive for the hero to survive and emerge triumphant against his many challenges.

Perhaps a read for hardcore Louis L’Amour fans or bibliophiles only, this memoir is an enjoyable book none the less. It is like reading a card catalog interspersed with the many experiences of L’Amour through the course of his life. From the time of his leaving school at age fifteen to travel the world, Louis worked and lived as a hobo, sailor, prizefighter, miner, longshoreman, army officer, cattle skinner and many others. These many careers, combined with a life long love of reading and self-education were to provide the basis of which was to become Louis L’Amour - the author.
This book was being edited by Louis at the time of his death in 1988 and there is criticism of it being rambling and superficial. I think for lack of any other auto-biography that it is a good insight of the man and in the least a good book to find some good recommended reading. There are lots of titles listed within its pages.

It is often said that one has but one life to live, but that is nonsense. For one who reads, there is no limit to the number of lives that may be lived…”
-Louis L’Amour

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CuriousExpeditions.org is my kind of place. Their tagline states ‘Travelling and Exhuming the Extraordinary Past‘. Content, color scheme and presentation are all very appealing. Though I have only just discovered it I have read a couple intriguing posts and look forward to exploring deeper. Perhaps you, faithful reader will enjoy it as well.

Their post that lead me to the site initially was -
Librophiliac Love Letter: A compendium of beautiful libraries
Lots of incredible images of libraries around the world.

The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock (1993, Hardcover) US $6.99 End Date: Wednesday Nov-11-2009 5:41:40 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list

October 31, 1968
On the final day of a five month starting window, two sailboats, the last of nine, left the shores of England in competition of a single-handed, non-stop race to circle the globe.

Sponsored by the British Sunday Times, the race was open to all entrants and attracted a collection of experienced sailors, adventure romantics and inexperienced boatmen. Out of the nine entrants only one completed the race - five retired at different stages, one sank. Another, victory within grasp, chose the sea over what he decided was unnecessary commercialization of the event and sailed on instead, traveling another half-way around the world before finally coming to port in Tahiti. The remaining participant, Donald Crowhurst, one of the last starters, most infamously stayed in the Atlantic, falsifying complicated logs & misreporting his (sometimes record-breaking) progress.
Seemingly ill-fated from the beginning, Crowhurst spent eight months wrestling with his sailboat, his conscience and his psyche before losing the battle at which it is believed he stepped from his boat and let the waters close over his head.

His is one of the more dramatic of quite a collection of stories and characters involved with this race and the continued history of global sailing. Many of the entrants were lifelong sailors and there are some good books by them about the race or the world they live in. A documentary about Donald Crowhurst called Deep Water was released in 2006 which is a fascinating examination of the events including interviews with the participants, journalists of the time, family members as well as quite a bit of actual footage and photographs of Crowhursts boat as it was found drifting empty in the Atlantic. I guess it was inappropriate to title the documentary ‘In Deep Shit’.
A book about the event entitled A Voyage for Madmen was written by sailor Peter Nichols (he was not in the race).

Some other titles:
Bernard Moitessier - French sailor and author with a collection of books to his credit. It was he who sailed on, abandoning the race when near victory. An action not considered out of character for this sea gypsy. To quote:
“My intention is to continue the voyage, still nonstop, toward the Pacific Islands, where there is plenty of sun and more peace than in Europe. Please do not think I am trying to break a record. ‘Record’ is a very stupid word at sea. I am continuing nonstop because I am happy at sea, and perhaps because I want to save my soul.”

Robert Knox-Johnston- A World of My Own: - Race winner and the only person to complete the race. He donated all his winnings to a fund set up for the widow and children of the Crowhurst family. Researching this story found Knox actively sailing and racing the worlds oceans to this day, with a smile on his face and a single malt whiskey sponsor. Check out his website here.

Nigel Tetley - Trimaran solo: The story of Victress’ circumnavigation and last voyage - Tetley, wrongly believing he may be beaten by the misreported Crowhurst, pushed his tattered boat beyond the limit and sunk before finishing and was rescued from his life raft.

The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst by Nicholas Tomalin & Ron Hall

Information on the event at Wikipedia.

In the course of a session or day at my computer I will visit a lot of web addresses, some much more regularly than others. Here is a sampling of favorites -

It’s been said that those who turn to the comics section of newspaper first may live longer - sounds like good advice to me. On my front page are my two top links to start the day with:

• Calvin & Hobbes - Bill Watterson’s Classic strip of the many adventures of a boy and his tiger and a tribute to the joys of imagination.

• Sheldon- A 1o year old software genius, along with his talking duck, grandfather, family pug & best friend as well as my favorite Flaco the lizard. Check out the link for the introduction page that will tell you everything you need to know.

Then I check my email to see if the are any love letters, comments here at Adventure Bookshelf or family members of Nigerian ministers who might need my bank account number to help transfer millions from the country.

Past that if I’m not working like I should be, here are some other sites that probably pass across the screen -

Some news:

• news.google.com - yes someday Google may assimilate us all.

• Digg.com - the community based website that features information which is voted to popularity by its community. A great resource across many different subjects and a tempting time-sink for the casual browser.

Some Music:

• Pandora.com - online radio and music recommendation site that’s accepts feedback from you and customizes playback based on your likes and dislikes. Discovered some great tunes here.
  

• RadioParadise.com - more traditional streaming online radio, advertisement free with great playlists by people who care.
  

Blogging/Online Business:
Lots of sites out there about blogging and making money online. Some good and a lot of bad. Sticking to the good certainly has helped this site. So much so it is hard to get any posts done, what with all the accountants, groupies, lawyers, yes men, spiritual advisors and general hangers-on crowding the Adventure Bookshelf offices and hallways.
Check out these sites for their honest advice:

• The Blog Entrepreneur - A site which in the words of it’s about page is intended to serve as ‘a kind of score card and sounding board to communicate with the online world’. Bill creates and runs some different websites to create income and this, his flagship blog documents some his processes and learning curve about niche sites and making money online. Some great posts here. Also I recently was a winner in a contest he ran and was the happy recipient of a Revolution Magazine theme from WordPress designer extraordinare Brian Gardner, who creates some excellent work with good support and a strong community. Check Brian out if you need a premium theme. (I use his original Revolution theme at one of my other sites TheTrailBook.com)

• Problogger.net - Darren Rowse is one of ‘the’ names in the field and unlike some of the other big daddies of blogging seems very down to earth and his site is filled with a lot of useful information communicated in an easy to read style.

• UberAffiliate.com - The name should say it all. A site about affiliate marketing on the web with some good advice from Paul, it’s author, who seems to be attaining some success in the field.

Technology/Gadget News:
Alright, before this list list goes on forever…here are a last few favorites. Some technology sites I enjoy and greatly appreciate these journalists for their enthusiasm and integrity. If there is any geek in you probably are already familiar.

• Twit.tv
• dl.tv
• crankygeeks.com
• webbalert.com

So I will wrap it up there, look like we will have to have Oh, The Places You’ll Go! part II, perhaps part III. But for now I think I better get outside…

The Peoples Guide to Mexico holds a place of honor amongst the collection of adventure books upon my shelf. It is a book both practical & charming, informative & entertaining, useful whether in Mexico or far from it’s borders.

I came across my first copy at the used book store when I was 18, two years later I was speeding down Baja Mexico’s Pacific coast in my Landcruiser with camping gear bursting from the seams, hair blowing in the wind and a stack of cassettes singing songs from the stereo. A few days after that - upon a crescent beach under starry skies, red snapper sizzling on the fire and an icy cold Tecate being handed me by new-found traveling companions, I realized I had arrived. My first great adventure in a foreign land had begun.

The People’s Guide had convinced me that travel in Mexico could be done safely, economically, and with flexibility no matter the mode of transport or choice of destination. Created by author/editor duo Carl Franz & Lorena Havens, the book has now reached it’s thirty- sixth anniversary having been updated and reprinted through thirteen editions, the most recent being in 2006.

Not so much a guide of where to eat or sleep - it is really a how-to, chock full of advice on traveling, camping, food, language, equipment, health, red-tape, customs & superstitions, laws, bartering and much more. Interspersed amongst all the useful advice are excellent stories, anecdotes & illustrations which really round out the content and share the viewpoint of the authors now long lifetime of living and traveling in Mexico. Carl Franz is a great storyteller, very amusing and obviously his work is a labor of love.

Contemporary critics claim that Mexico is neither as safe or as cheap as the book claims. Obviously economies fluctuate and Mexico has steadily developed as a globally known tourist destination since the first edition was written, but danger and high prices of course can be found anywhere in the world. My personal view is that an open mind and common sense will always be some of greatest assets for a traveler and this book is a great resource to foster those attributes.

Mexico is a country of incredible diversity, populated mostly by honest, curious, friendly & family-oriented folks (in my experience). If you haven’t been or are contemplating going back I highly recommend this book to give you a sense of what you might be in for. Revisiting it certainly has gotten me thinking….now where did I leave that straw hat and bottle opener…

As the book’s motto says - “Wherever you go….there you are!”
Enjoy.

The People’s Guide to Mexico (Peoples Guide to Mexico)

Carl Franz Profile & Blog at Amazon
The People’s Guide Official Site

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“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.”
Sir Edmund Hillary

Mountaineering legend & humanitarian Edmund Hillary has passed on at the age of 88. Hillary, who alongside sherpa Tenzing Norgay, was first to climb Mount Everest, the world highest mountain in 1953.

Not content to rest on such auspicious laurels, he continued to lead a life of further adventure and advocacy for the environment and his fellow man. Of his many accomplishments, one of which he seemed most proud was the establishment of the Himalayan Trust, created in 1960 to help provide education, infrastructure and health care to the Sherpa people of Nepal. Since it’s inception the trust has built over 30 schools, 2 hospitals, 13 health clinics as well as helping rebuild monasteries, provide forestry management and help remote communities build bridges, roads and safe drinking water systems.

His name will live on as he who stood upon the highest heights, but his spirit will perpetuate in those who’s lives were bettered by a humble, practical man who used his fame to help those around him.

Donations may be made to The Himalayan Trust online or by mail at their site here:

The Himalayan Trust UK

Books by Edmund Hillary (courtesy of Wikipedia):

• High Adventure (1955), Oxford University Press (Paperback) ISBN 1932302026
• High Adventure: The True Story of the First Ascent of Everest (1955), Oxford University Press (Paperback) ISBN 0195167341
• East of Everest - An Account of the New Zealand Alpine Club Himalayan Expedition to the Barun Valley in 1954, with George Lowe (1956), E. P. Dutton and Company, Inc. ASIN B000EW84UM
• No Latitude for Error (1961), Hodder & Stoughton. ASIN B000H6UVP6.
• The New Zealand Antarctic Expedition (1959), R.W. Stiles, printers. ASIN B0007K6D72.
• The crossing of Antarctica; the Commonwealth Transantarctic Expedition, 1955-1958 with Sir Vivian Fuchs (1958). Cassell ASIN B000HJGZ08
• High in the thin cold air; the story of the Himalayan Expedition, led by Sir Edmund Hillary, sponsored by World Book Encyclopedia, with Desmond Doig (1963) ASIN B00005W121
• Schoolhouse in the Clouds (1965) ASIN B00005WRBB
• Nothing Venture, Nothing Win (1975) Hodder & Stoughton General Division ISBN 0340212969
• From the Ocean to the Sky: Jet Boating Up the Ganges Ulverscroft Large Print Books Ltd (November 1980) ISBN 0-7089-0587-0
• Two Generations with Peter Hillary (1984) Hodder & Stoughton Ltd ISBN 0340354208
• Ascent: Two Lives Explored: The Autobiographies of Sir Edmund and Peter Hillary (1992) Paragon House Publishers ISBN 1557784086
• View from the Summit: The Remarkable Memoir by the First Person to Conquer Everest (2000) Pocket ISBN 0743400674

Search Amazon for Edmund Hillary. (All affiliate profits will be matched and donated to The Himalayan Trust.)

Sir Edmund Hillary: A life in pictures at National Geographic

Update Jan 21:
There is complete coverage of Sir Edmund Hillary’s Funeral at the New Zealand Herald , including photographs, audio & video of the eulogies of family and friends. Thanks to Kraig at The Adventure Blog for the heads up on this.

Pronounced “Mo-leh-skeen-eh” by those in the know or think they are, moleskine notebooks have a reputation as the legendary portable medium of choice for the expression of famous artists - Hemingway, Van Gogh & Picasso to name a few. Production of these by a small French bookbinder was discontinued in 1986 but a new line of reproductions was marketed by Italian company Modo & Modo starting in 1998.

While perhaps not an exact descendant of the original, the current line offers several stylish and useful variations and sizes with lined, squared or blank pages sewn to lie flat while open and with an elastic band to keep it shut when not. Bound in oilcloth covered cardboard, not mole.

A great book to capture those fleeting moments of genius, notes for your next adventure, or just something to scribble in while sipping espressos at the cafe. Wire rim glasses not included.

Check out these links for some great examples of Moleskines in use:

• Detour - The Moleskine city notebook experience
• Moleskine Hacks at 43 Folders

Moleskine Pocket Info Book US $10.99 End Date: Wednesday Nov-11-2009 7:08:15 PST Buy it now | Add to watch list