Adventure stories and biographical account

One of my big problem in life has been that I always thought I was too dumb and worthless to achieve anything - I've been raised to think that about myself.

So most of the time when I was trying to achieve something, I would give up because I would think I'm too slow, I'm not doing it right and I'll never get anywhere.

Many years ago I started reading biographical adventure stories (not sure if there's a specific english word for these kind of books?), mostly stories about outcasts going on a big journey, and I did not realize it before long, but it changed my way of thinking, and it changed my way of approaching an issue.

Reading these stories I realized that people who do great things and go on big adventures, don't do it easily: it's a bumpy road. I realized that they encounter resistance, as well as judgment. I also realized that they encounter a lot of issues and it takes time and thinking to fix these issues.

I learned that you can fail 10 times and it doesn't mean it's over. I learned that even smart people can spend 6 days staring at a problem while smoking cigarettes before figuring out the solution - which, sometimes, can appear very simple once you found it.

I learned that if you don't think the same way as others, if you don't do things the same way as others, it doesn't mean you're doing it wrong, it just mean you're doing it your own way.

Now I'm not sure what's the point of that thread. I guess if anyone has book suggestions to make, or have read something particular in a book that made them realize they are not that weird, or even have some personal adventure stories to share, then go ahead.

Mostly I just wanted to inform whoever is interested that reading these kind of books, other than being very entertaining, can be very useful.

Hrm. Do you have a recommendation on any particular one of these books, or are they all written in North Polian?

^Hah funny you say that because I was going to write some suggestions but I had a hard time finding the translation for it

I would suggest the story of "Endurance" by Ernest Shackleton, not sure what is the exact title in English, couldn't find it. Also anything by Bernard Moitessier, and Around the world single-handed by Henry Pidgeon. There is many more but these are some I know have been translated or are originally written in English.

True life expedition/survival have been a favourite since childhood and reading about Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-tiki and Ra adventures and Survive the Savage Sea about a family adrift after their yacht sank.

Then there's Tim Severin's books about voyages in historical replica boats

Nicholas Crane and his lightweight adventures where his main bit if kit is an umbrella

Maria Coffey - A Boat in Our Baggage & Three Moons in Vietnam

Most recent read was Island of the Lost by Joan Druett about shipwreck survivors in the 1800s

Mizan Mehari R.i.p. - People - CoolRunning Forums

Post #13 was a story that really touched me.

Rosella have you come to take me to a better place?

I can't recommend any books, but in Dec 2013 I went on a 5 day hike through the southern Alps. At one point climbing up Makinnons Pass I had developed a hot spot on my right heel, I was extremely tired,my pack felt like it was filled with lead bars and I still couldn't see the top of the mountain.
I remember that moment as I said to myself 'what the hell am I doing here??... How am I going to do this..". Then I recall realizing that there was no other way but to keep going. No one was going to help me but me. No one COULD help me. One foot in front of the other, one step and breath at a time. Hours later I made it to the top. On the descent the main track was closed due to an avalanche so we took the emergency track. It was so steep.. At one point I slipped and fell down the track, tumbling about 10-12 meters. If I had fallen sideways off the track I would have been in real trouble...

That was a defining day in my life. I found an inner strength I didn't realize was inside me. I actually got stronger willpower as my journey went on.

I loved the adventure and hardships so much that I can't wait for my next one, which is late September this year. I'm going to China for a month. I wont know anyone, I'll be in a foreign country, a different culture.. I'll have to rely on myself quite a bit.
But I'm really looking forward to all the twists and turns my adventure may take. It makes me feel so alive.

The day I take off for China I'll feel like Bilbo Baggins as he runs out of the shire; 'I'm going on an adventure!'

^Nice!!! Late September it's so soon! I can't wait to travel again, I had to put that aside lately to concentrate on work and other projects :/ I hope you come back here and tell us about your adventure

I love that feeling you're talking about of pushing your own limits, it's so satisfying. The best adventures I had are those where I ended up at the point where you have to disregard the pain and put a foot in front of another until you reach your destination then collapse. You don't really have fun while it's happening but man that makes the best stories to tell afterwards and oddly, the funniest memories :bigsmile:

Kiwong I did not know this person but he sounds like an inspiring one. Very sad story though :/

Kihira thanks for the suggestions, Kon Tiki was actually on my list of things to read! There's also this book called "adrift 76 days lost at sea" by steven Callahan that I want to read but can't find it in the book stores, I guess I'll have to order it online