Historical Nonfiction for Readers Who Crave Adventure

This book explores the real-life inspiration for Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. Philbrick tells the story of the ill-fated Nantucket whaling ship, The Essex, and her crew in harrowing detail. The 20-man crew of experienced whalers and one cabin boy set sail in 1820, and they were sunk by a massive sperm whale 15 months into their voyage. The men attempted to sail to South America in three tiny boats. It didn’t go so well for them. Combining the Essex’s plight with details on Nantucket whaling culture, this book is a must-read for any adventurer. If, after reading this book, you still haven’t learned enough about whaling and disaster cannibalism, I recommend Jamrach’s Menagerie, which is also inspired by the Essex’s voyage.

Located 285 miles south of New Zealand, Auckland Island is pummeled by constant wind and freezing rain. It is considered one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. In 1864, two shipwrecks on opposite sides of the Island led to grave danger and terrible choices. Druett brings the story of the crews of The Grafton and The Invercauld to life with historical documents and journals. 

Botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter set off down the Colorado River in 1938 in order to survey the Grand Canyon’s plants. Despite the river’s dangerous reputation, they were determined to be the very first botanists to do so. Sevigny takes readers along for the 43-day journey through tumultuous rapids, harsh criticism, and sexism.

In the summer of 1913, a Canadian expedition set out for the Arctic, led by fame-driven Vilhjalmur Stefansson. Stefansson gathered a small crew to go caribou hunting when the ship became icebound, but they never returned. The remaining crew, led by Captain Bob Bartlett, consisted of 22 men, two Inuit women and their daughters, and a cat. They were left to survive the winter. Levy captures Bartlett’s heroism and Stefansson’s selfish drive in this vivid tale of greed and survival against nature. 

In this tale of colonial greed, British explorers Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke are sent to find the headwaters of the Nile River. Their personalities and ideals clashed instantly, and Speke and Burton endured constant setbacks and illnesses during their travels. Millard details their famous rivalry and exploits while covering the continued effects of colonialism and the East African Slave Trade.

In this book of essays, Miles examines how the outdoors helped shape women’s independence and resourcefulness. Miles highlights stories from historical figures such as Harriet Tubman and Louisa May Alcott, as well as other activists and athletes who gained critical knowledge and skills alongside joy because of time spent outdoors. 

At the start of the War of 1812, Captain Barnard and his crew discovered a group of British castaways. Barnard informed the castaways of the war and agreed to rescue them, but Barnard’s own ship was found by the arriving British ship, which took it as a prize. For 18 months, the castaways fought, starved, and plotted. Meticulously detailed, this has full-color illustrations. 

This book captures the drama and controversy behind the first Western attempt on Everest. After years of planning, George Leigh Mallory and his party made their way to the summit in 1922. Conefrey details the tragedies that befall the Mallory party and the politics and rivalries surrounding the climb, with tidbits of Everest’s history. 

A classic of the adventure/survival genre, this book tells the story of Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 attempt to reach the South Pole. Shackleton’s unfailing optimism and strong leadership skills guided his 28-man crew through months of extreme hardship and desperation. Using the journals of the crew of the Endurance, Lansing’s writing is visceral and captivating.

If you’re looking for a collection of darkly funny stories, this cover is not going to steer you in the wrong direction. It’s a squirrel that’s clearly been launched right into the book title, and he looks completely unfazed by it all. There’s a lot of nice movement in this design, especially as it is very simplistic.