Action? Adventure? Real-life heroes? Yes, please! Explore my recommendations for 10 non-fiction action adventure books.
- 1. The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard
At the age of 55 and after failing to get reelected in 1912, Teddy Roosevelt embarked on a daring scientific expedition to explore an uncharted branch of the Amazon River.
Along with Brazil’s famous explorer Candido Rondon and Teddy’s son Kermit, they assemble a group of men to map and explore a treacherous river in an area of the Brazilian rainforest that was unknown to the outside world and remains remote to this day.
The river held many dangers with piranhas and terrifying rapids. Out of the water and on the shores, the crew faced natives with poison-tipped arrows, poisonous snakes, stalking jaguars, plus the constant threat of disease and starvation.
Teddy, arguably the most fascinating and adventurous American president in our history, led an expedition that opened up knowledge to unknown parts of the world while constantly facing the threat of death.
By weaving personal journals and historical accounts, Candice Millard masterfully brings this thrilling, real-life, page-turning adventure story to life.
River of Doubt is a fascinating tale of perseverance, courage, and the human spirit’s triumph over adversity in one of the most dangerous environments on Earth.
2. River of the Gods by Candice Millard
Candice Millard makes the list again with her riveting storytelling. River of the Gods tells the epic story of Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke, who the Royal Geographical Society of England sent to find the headwaters of the Nile River in 1858.
At a time when there was a rising interest in Egypt and the European interest in mapping and claiming unknown corners of the world, the location of the Nile’s headwaters also became a race for discovery.
Burton was an extensive world traveler and explorer, a decorated soldier, and spoke twenty-nine languages. In contrast, Speke was an aristocrat, a skilled hunter, and could keep a good report with the caravan. From the beginning, the two were in conflict. This conflict would remain throughout the expedition and for the rest of their lives.
Their journey of discovery started on the island of Zanzibar and wove through Tanzania with the goal of finding the great lakes that were rumored to be at the center of the African continent.
Traveling hundreds of miles on foot with their guide Sidi Mubarak Bombay and a large crew, the expedition was constantly ill from dangerous tropical diseases.
The men became the first Europeans to discover Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria. However, there were disagreements between the two men about the actual source of the Nile and how the public announcements would be made once they returned to England. The disagreements made the men venomous enemies up until the end when Speke shot himself the day before the men were scheduled to debate publically.
River of the Gods is the story of one of history’s greatest exploration feats, with a fascinating, complex, and competitive backdrop of the leaders of the exhibition. Millard’s narrative is a thrilling adventure story and a testament to the enduring human spirit of exploration and the pursuit of truth against all odds.
3. Into Africa by Martin Dugard
Into Africa is another fascinating story about the legendary journey to find the source of the Nile. Martin Dugard tells the epic tale of explorer Henry Morton Stanley’s search for David Livingstone, who vanished without a trace in the heart of Africa in the 19th century.
Years after going missing and after an intense and grueling search, Stanley immortalized his discovery of Livingston with the simple line, “Doctor Livingston, I presume?” a remote encounter in the heart of Africa became one of the most famous meetings in the history of exploration.
Dugard skillfully brings to life the perilous expedition that aimed to uncover the source of the Nile River and map uncharted territories. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Dugard delves into Stanley and Livingstone’s complex motivations and personalities, shedding light on their individual struggles, triumphs, and conflicts.
From the dense jungles and treacherous rivers to encounters with hostile tribes and wildlife, Into Africa immerses readers in the challenges and discoveries of this historic expedition.
Dugard’s narrative captures the spirit of adventure and exploration and provides insight into the broader historical context of European colonialism and the impact of Western exploration on Africa’s indigenous peoples.
4. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is a gripping firsthand account of the tragic events that unfolded during the 1996 Mount Everest disaster.
As a seasoned journalist and experienced climber, Krakauer joined an expedition to Everest with the intention of documenting the commercialization of the world’s tallest peak. However, what began as a routine ascent quickly turned into a fight for survival when a fierce storm struck the mountain, claiming the lives of several climbers, including Krakauer’s teammates.
With haunting detail and reflective analysis, Krakauer recounts the harrowing ordeal, from the exhilaration of reaching the summit to the desperate struggle to descend amidst blinding snow and plummeting temperatures.
Through Krakauer’s vivid imagery and honest reflections, Into Thin Air offers readers a deeply personal glimpse into the physical and psychological challenges of high-altitude mountaineering. The book delves into the complex dynamics between climbers, guides, and the mountain itself, probing the motivations behind the relentless pursuit of summit glory and the devastating consequences of vanity and human error.
As Krakauer grapples with survivor’s guilt and questions his own decisions on the mountain, Into Thin Air emerges not just as a tale of adventure but also as a profound meditation on mortality, resilience, and the enduring allure—and dangers—of the world’s most unforgiving landscapes.
Bonus: Into Thin Air has been adapted into two movies. Into Thin Air: Death on Everest (1997) and Everest (2015).
5. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a riveting and emotional exploration of the life and death of Christopher McCandless, a young man who shunned conventional society to seek adventure and self-discovery in the wilds of Alaska.
Krakauer traces McCandless’s journey from his privileged youth to his transformative experiences on the road, where he shed his material possessions, assumed a new identity, and embraced a minimalist lifestyle.
Through interviews with family and friends and McCandless’s personal journal entries, Krakauer delves into the complexities of Christopher’s character, revealing a deeply reflective and idealistic young man driven by a longing for authenticity and freedom.
McCandless’s solitary journey ends in his fateful trek into the Alaskan wilderness. Krakauer paints a vivid picture of wild Alaska’s harsh realities and profound beauty.
Krakauer captures the heart of McCandless’s quest for transcendence and the tragic irony of his ultimate death.
Into the Wild is a gripping adventure tale and a profound meditation on the search for meaning, the limits of self-reliance, and the enduring allure of the wilderness.
Through McCandless’s story, Krakauer invites readers to contemplate the complexities of the human spirit and the eternal quest for authenticity and purpose.
Bonus: Into the Wild was adapted into a movie in 2007.
6. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing is a gripping narrative that recounts the harrowing survival story of Britain’s Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the ice of the Antarctic.
Lansing’s diligent research and vivid storytelling captivate readers and take them to the heart of one of history’s greatest stories of leadership and survival. Shackleton’s leadership and determination became legendary as the crew faced unimaginable hardships, from the relentless cold and hunger to the threat of predatory seals and crushing ice.
Through Lansing’s narrative, readers witness the incredible resilience and camaraderie that sustained the men during their ordeal as they endured months of isolation and uncertainty in one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth.
Against the backdrop of the Antarctic wilderness, Endurance explores themes of human endurance, leadership, and the invincible spirit of exploration. Shackleton’s relentless pursuit to save his men and lead them to safety is a testament to the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Lansing’s gripping account of the Endurance expedition captures the crew’s physical challenges and dangers and highlights the bonds of friendship and loyalty that sustained them through their darkest hours. Endurance is a timeless tale of courage, perseverance, leadership, and the triumph of the human spirit against all odds.
Bonus: The book Endurance portrays Shackleton as the main hero of the expedition. For another perspective, check out Shackleton’s Captain on Amazon Prime Video. The movie shows another side of the story and paints Captain Frank Worsley as the real hero behind saving the potentially doomed expedition.
7. The Lost City of Z by David Grann
The Lost City of Z follows the enthralling exploration of the legendary quest for a lost civilization deep within the Amazon rainforest. Focusing on the enigmatic figure of Percy Fawcett, a British explorer who vanished in the jungle in the 1920s while searching for the fabled city he called “Z,” Grann sets out with the quest to solve “the greatest exploration mystery of the 20th century.”
He dives into the mysteries surrounding Fawcett’s disappearance and the lasting allure of the Amazonian wilderness. Grann meticulously retraces Fawcett’s expeditions to find the truth behind his disappearance. As Grann follows Fawcett’s footsteps and encounters modern-day explorers and indigenous tribes, he discovers a complex story of obsession, ambition, and the conflict between Western exploration and indigenous cultures.
Interwoven with Fawcett’s story is Grann’s own journey into the heart of the Amazon, where he confronts the same dangers and challenges that Fawcett and his crew faced. As Grann navigates the dense jungle and confronts the risk of malaria and dangerous wildlife, he is driven by the enduring mysteries of Fawcett’s disappearance and the broader implications of Western exploration in remote corners of the world.
The Lost City of Z is a riveting adventure about the human desire for discovery, the limits of exploration, and the enduring allure of the unknown. Grann’s masterful blend of history, biography, and memoir offers readers a captivating glimpse into the heart of one of the greatest mysteries of the 20th century.
Bonus: The Lost City of Z was made into a movie in 2016 starring Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, and Tom Holland.
8. Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl is an exhilarating chronicle of one of the most audacious maritime expeditions of the 20th century.
In 1947, Heyerdahl, a Norwegian explorer, embarked on a daring voyage across the Pacific Ocean aboard a primitive raft constructed from balsa wood logs. Inspired by his theory that ancient South American civilizations could have settled Polynesia, Heyerdahl and his crew set out to prove that such a journey was not only possible but also plausible using only pre-Columbian technology and navigation techniques.
Heyerdahl recounts the challenges and triumphs of their 4,300-mile journey from Peru to the Tuamotu Islands, battling vicious storms, shark-infested waters, and relentless elements.
As Heyerdahl and his crew navigate the vast expanse of the Pacific, Kon-Tiki offers readers a thrilling adventure filled with danger, discovery, and the indomitable human spirit. Heyerdahl’s vivid descriptions and firsthand accounts transport readers aboard the raft, immersing them in the voyage’s exhilarating highs and dangerous lows.
Through encounters with marine life, encounters with local cultures, and the sheer determination to push the boundaries of exploration, Kon-Tiki is a testament to the power of creativity, courage, and the pursuit of knowledge in the face of seemingly unbeatable odds.
Bonus: Kon-Tiki became a film in 2012.
9. Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Wild is a powerful memoir of self-discovery and redemption that chronicles Cheryl Strayed’s transformative journey along the Pacific Crest Trail.
After the loss of her mother, the end of her marriage, and a period of self-destructive behavior, Strayed embarks on a solo hike spanning over a thousand miles through the rugged terrain of the western United States.
As she navigates through deserts, mountains, and forests, facing physical challenges and inner demons, Strayed reflects on her past and grapples with grief, forgiveness, and the search for meaning.
With raw honesty, Strayed lays bare her vulnerabilities, fears, and, ultimately, her resilience. Wild is a testament to the healing power of nature, the strength of the human spirit, and the capacity for growth and renewal even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Bonus: In 2014, Wild became a movie starring Reese Witherspoon.
10. True North: Peary, Cook, and the Race to the Pole by Bruce Henderson
True North: Peary, Cook, and the Race to the Pole dives into the intense rivalry between explorers Robert Peary and Frederick Cook as they raced to become the first to reach the North Pole.
Henderson recounts the events leading to their historical expeditions, examining the personal ambitions, strategic decisions, and controversies surrounding their quests for polar supremacy. Henderson’s storytelling brings to life the harsh Arctic environment, the dangers of polar exploration, and the human drama that unfolded amidst the ice and snow.
True North offers readers a comprehensive and balanced perspective on one of the greatest exploration races in history. It sheds light on Peary and Cook’s achievements and shortcomings amidst their fierce rivalry. Both men claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole; some dispute that either man made it, and the confusion and dispute remain to this day.
Can’t get enough about history and explorers? Check out The Explorer’s Podcast by master storyteller Matt Breen. He covers history’s most famous explorers, as well as explorers you may have never learned about.
Stay tuned for more book recommendations for preteens, young readers, and more!
