Explorers and Medics, Climbers and Frauds: 3 Books for Outdoor Lovers

These books aren’t exactly relaxing. Rather, they’re gripping accounts; Extreme Medicine investigates the traumas of war and exploration, Shackleton delves into the deep character flaws of a renowned adventurer and The Tower exposes a world-famous fraud while expertly describing one of Chile’s most iconic peaks. Turn these pages and find yourself immersed in the trails and tribulations of doctors and soldiers, climbers and liars.

Extreme Medicine: Meet The People Who’ll Save Life And Limb

Kevin Fong, M.D., handles a tough subject, profiling pioneers in radical treatments for burns, hypothermia, and other trauma types.  Active Junky’s reviewer found the courage and humor of severely burned World War II airmen both heart-wrenching and inspiring.  Get the guts to read this one for a rewarding, insider’s view of “How Exploration Transformed Medicine in the Twentieth Century.”  Fong’s writing – and work with NASA among others – rockets him to the front of the outdoor literature line with Extreme Medicine.

Best For: Being amazed at human courage and ingenuity

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Shackleton; By Endurance We Conquer: Chill With Some South Pole Perspectives

Sir Ernest Shackleton enters the public imagination every generation or so as new volumes attempt to conquer a fascinating character.  Michael Smith marks the 100^th anniversary of the ship Endurance’s mission with a cinematic style that both transports and propels the reader to extremes.  All hero and 100% flawed human, Shackleton is worth a look, though it’s a BYOB (bring your own blubber) party.  Know that small details matter in life, particularly when your bow’s pointed south.

Best For: Proving to others the trip you’ve planned isn’t really very extreme

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The Tower: A Chronicle Of Climbing And Controversy On Cerro Torre: Higher, But With Difficulties

The Tower: A Chronicle of Climbing and Controversy on Cerro Torre Starting at: $19.69

Kelly Cordes turns a tough mountaineering objective into a collision of wills, personalities and visions for the sport in this new book. From the 1959 claim of a first ascent to subsequent attempts to verify the accomplishment, Cordes lets events unfold without contrived conflict or undue emotionalism.  Capped by the recent chopping of bolts on the Compressor Route, there’s enough to keep readers on edges and ledges in this self-propelled read.

Best For: Questioning your motives as you plan adventures for 2015.