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surefinewhatever's review against another edition
4.0
I am the kind of person who has...multiple....spreadsheets/lists for packing for different types of trips so I was very excited to get to read an advanced copy of this book! I will say, unfortunately for people who have standard non-color e-readers, I think this is best read in color and maybe in print so you can see the adorable illustrations of the packed items.. It would make a very cute coffee table book, so maybe go for print.
There are a wide variety of expeditions profiled, so some were familiar (Edmund Hillary) but some were totally new to me (Laura Bingham, probably my favorite). I wish there was some sort of time travel magic that could have helped provide more detail into how exactly the past adventurers used their items so there was more insight into how exactly the selected items helped or why they picked them, but I know that’s an unrealistic ask and the book is still interesting, I just really love packing. There are usually at least some sourced descriptions of how people felt about their items, especially how they camped or lived, etc. where possible.
I don’t read a lot of other historical exploration or sailing texts and suspect for someone who does this might seem too high level. For anyone who has an interest in trip/adventure preparations and wants an overview of a lot of various explorations though, it’s full of interesting stories, amazing photos, and of course now I really wish I could have their illustrator do a visual packing guide for me to use as a packing list.
There are a wide variety of expeditions profiled, so some were familiar (Edmund Hillary) but some were totally new to me (Laura Bingham, probably my favorite). I wish there was some sort of time travel magic that could have helped provide more detail into how exactly the past adventurers used their items so there was more insight into how exactly the selected items helped or why they picked them, but I know that’s an unrealistic ask and the book is still interesting, I just really love packing. There are usually at least some sourced descriptions of how people felt about their items, especially how they camped or lived, etc. where possible.
I don’t read a lot of other historical exploration or sailing texts and suspect for someone who does this might seem too high level. For anyone who has an interest in trip/adventure preparations and wants an overview of a lot of various explorations though, it’s full of interesting stories, amazing photos, and of course now I really wish I could have their illustrator do a visual packing guide for me to use as a packing list.
shelfquest's review against another edition
5.0
Expeditions Unpacked is a book I didn't know I needed in my life and now that it's there I want 100 more just like it. This book covers 25 explorers who were the first to accomplish a goal in their field, such as the first person to climb Everest, walking the Amazon River, or the first human-powered circumnavigation of the globe, to name a few. Each entry has a list accompanied by illustrations of 20-30 items the explorer had with them on their journey. There are also pictures included throughout the book and they help you imagine what these adventures were like. I especially enjoyed the stories about women because I am a wuss and can't see myself ever doing anything too adventurous (bugs love me) but it is fun to imagine where I would go and what I would pack. I would have liked to see a bit more variety as many of them seemed to focus on polar or mountain expeditions (they just made me cold) but this is still an excellent read, highly recommended.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
anjana's review against another edition
5.0
I have an E copy of the ARC by the publishers (I love the wide range of topics they cover in their publications) which expires tomorrow and it might e yet another of their books that I might actually purchase this at some point in the future. The review, however, is based entirely on my own reading experience.
This book is a list of some well-known and a few lesser-known (at least to me) expeditions conducted either individually or in slightly bigger groups around the world. It includes the finer details of the expeditions, mostly the kits that they carry to survive, supplies to explore and deal with the main focus of their respective expeditions. It is excellent fodder for anyone interested in how much of a luxury the current and past explorers had, the difference between them and for someone who has not even been glamping let alone camping, it seemed fascinating that people put themselves through such discomfort on purpose. It is for a higher cause, either to advance the information people had or sometimes just to meet a challenge. The personality of the expedition is also brought into scrutiny in this manner. There is always that one quirk for every expedition that was amusing as well as interesting since we are talking about both men and women and in different eras! Two or more pages are devoted to the complete story behind the expeditions for the lovers of adventures as well
The author's personal interest in the field of exploration has brought him up close with choices that he makes on a regular basis and that adds to the information he lays before us. Whichever way it is looked at, it is a unique book with equally unique content and anyone with a semblance of interest in real-life explorers/adventurers will spend quality time with it.
This book is a list of some well-known and a few lesser-known (at least to me) expeditions conducted either individually or in slightly bigger groups around the world. It includes the finer details of the expeditions, mostly the kits that they carry to survive, supplies to explore and deal with the main focus of their respective expeditions. It is excellent fodder for anyone interested in how much of a luxury the current and past explorers had, the difference between them and for someone who has not even been glamping let alone camping, it seemed fascinating that people put themselves through such discomfort on purpose. It is for a higher cause, either to advance the information people had or sometimes just to meet a challenge. The personality of the expedition is also brought into scrutiny in this manner. There is always that one quirk for every expedition that was amusing as well as interesting since we are talking about both men and women and in different eras! Two or more pages are devoted to the complete story behind the expeditions for the lovers of adventures as well
The author's personal interest in the field of exploration has brought him up close with choices that he makes on a regular basis and that adds to the information he lays before us. Whichever way it is looked at, it is a unique book with equally unique content and anyone with a semblance of interest in real-life explorers/adventurers will spend quality time with it.
surefinewhatever's review
4.0
I am the kind of person who has...multiple....spreadsheets/lists for packing for different types of trips so I was very excited to get to read an advanced copy of this book! I will say, unfortunately for people who have standard non-color e-readers, I think this is best read in color and maybe in print so you can see the adorable illustrations of the packed items.. It would make a very cute coffee table book, so maybe go for print.
There are a wide variety of expeditions profiled, so some were familiar (Edmund Hillary) but some were totally new to me (Laura Bingham, probably my favorite). I wish there was some sort of time travel magic that could have helped provide more detail into how exactly the past adventurers used their items so there was more insight into how exactly the selected items helped or why they picked them, but I know that’s an unrealistic ask and the book is still interesting, I just really love packing. There are usually at least some sourced descriptions of how people felt about their items, especially how they camped or lived, etc. where possible.
I don’t read a lot of other historical exploration or sailing texts and suspect for someone who does this might seem too high level. For anyone who has an interest in trip/adventure preparations and wants an overview of a lot of various explorations though, it’s full of interesting stories, amazing photos, and of course now I really wish I could have their illustrator do a visual packing guide for me to use as a packing list.
There are a wide variety of expeditions profiled, so some were familiar (Edmund Hillary) but some were totally new to me (Laura Bingham, probably my favorite). I wish there was some sort of time travel magic that could have helped provide more detail into how exactly the past adventurers used their items so there was more insight into how exactly the selected items helped or why they picked them, but I know that’s an unrealistic ask and the book is still interesting, I just really love packing. There are usually at least some sourced descriptions of how people felt about their items, especially how they camped or lived, etc. where possible.
I don’t read a lot of other historical exploration or sailing texts and suspect for someone who does this might seem too high level. For anyone who has an interest in trip/adventure preparations and wants an overview of a lot of various explorations though, it’s full of interesting stories, amazing photos, and of course now I really wish I could have their illustrator do a visual packing guide for me to use as a packing list.
restlessunicorn's review
4.0
The stories of struggle and survival were actually more interesting than the gear the various adventurers used on their journeys. Yes, their "kit" was an essential component of their success (or in many cases, failure) but the narrative of each person/team and their individual struggles and motivations was the most interesting part. (Beautiful photos and illustrations didn't hurt either.)
I admire the men and women who tackled crazy achievements merely because nobody had ever done it. Why climb that mountain? Why paddle across that ocean? Why bike across that dessert? ... Well, why not?
To be fair, I was far more impressed by the accomplishments of the earliest explorers who tackled the North/South Poles and other crazy goals without the benefits of modern technology and equipment. Granted, the endurance of the modern explorers is still impressive but the advantages they have make it seem that if you have time, money, and a stubborn streak you could do similar things. (Though why you might want to walk the entire Amazon is beyond me.)
I admire the men and women who tackled crazy achievements merely because nobody had ever done it. Why climb that mountain? Why paddle across that ocean? Why bike across that dessert? ... Well, why not?
To be fair, I was far more impressed by the accomplishments of the earliest explorers who tackled the North/South Poles and other crazy goals without the benefits of modern technology and equipment. Granted, the endurance of the modern explorers is still impressive but the advantages they have make it seem that if you have time, money, and a stubborn streak you could do similar things. (Though why you might want to walk the entire Amazon is beyond me.)
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