The Adventure Sports Library

Articles in this Topic Discussions in this Topic

Mar 8, 2001

Don't have time to get involved in any adventure sports? Then curl up with a book and live vicariously through those that do have the time, money and gumption to live on the edge.

Reading a good adventure book is almost as exciting as being there in person, but even better because you don't have to work up a sweat.

Here are some books I recommend:

Over the Edge: A Regular Guy's Odyssey in Extreme Sports by Michael Bane- Now this guy is crazy. He was a self-proclaimed couch potato who decided to try to do 13 very dangerous sports including deep cave diving, Iditarod bike race in Alaska, climbing Mt. Denali, and running across Death Valley.

He doesn't say how long this adventure sports list took to complete, but his story is truly inspiring. He talks about the grueling training involved with preparing for each sport and the mental fear and exhilaration he feels as he competes and finishes each event.

It's all about pushing yourself, mentally and physically, to the limits. He discovers that the rush is addicting.

Lessons from the Edge: Extreme Athletes Show You How to Take on High Risk and Succeed by Maryann Karinch & David Brooks- This book teaches athletes how to live up to their full potential and really push themselves to the edge. There's a lot of step-by-step information on how to prepare and train for extreme sports. It's an interesting look into the mind of extreme athletes.

Danger! True Stories of Trouble and Survival by James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger and Sean O'Reilly- This book is filled with adrenaline junkies that encounter near-death experiences. A bicycle ride across Bulgaria, rescuing a boat in a storm, mountain climbing in Pakistan, and many other gripping tales of people daring to take the road less traveled.

Adrenaline 2000: The Year's Best Stories of Adventure and Survival by Clint Willis- This book is full of unbelievable stories that will keep you on edge. From shark hunting to cannibalism to cruising the Amazon and encountering many deadly creatures. This is the excitement and adventure that you might not want to experience in person.

Here are a few other books that might be of interest:
In Patagonis by Bruce Chaptwin
Keep Australia on Your Left by Eric Stiller
Getting There: Journeys of an Accidental Adventurer by Sue Williams
Last Trout in Venice: The Far-Flung Escapades of an Accidental Adventurer by Doug Lansky

Hopefully these books will inspire you to do an adventure sport that you find thrilling.

Go To Page: 1 2

The copyright of the article The Adventure Sports Library in Adventure Sports is owned by Sharael Feist. Permission to republish The Adventure Sports Library in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.