Mark Agnew
Fasinating stories of adventure about awesome women. Photo: Leah Kelley
Fantastic books for adults and kids
The adventure genre is dominated by men. Shackleton, Amundsen, Scott, Hillary, Livingston, Polo... the list goes on. Traditionally, women didn't have access to the world of adventure, particularly during the golden era of exploration which holds sway over our modern imagination.
But there are plenty of women worth your attention, and books expertly telling their stories.
Here are just a few some for adults and a few for kids if you are hoping to inspire the next generation of adventurers.
If you want to check out some other adventure books, including men, I made a list here.
The Ride of Her Life - on Amazon here
Annie Wilkins wanted to see the Pacific Ocean. But she had no money, she'd lost her farm and she'd been given two years to live. What's more, she lived in Maine, an entire continent away from the Pacific coast.
This wasn't going to stop Wilkins, so in 1954, she set off by horse to cross America and fulfil her last wish.
It is an intimate and personal story of one women's journey. It is also a fascinating exploration of America at an inflection point as the economy takes off and life becomes more comfortable. More people have cars, fridges, televisions and comfort.
Pirate Queen: A Story of Zheng Yi Sao - on Amazon here
Perfect for kids aged six to nine.
Forget pirates of the Caribbean. The largest pirate fleet ever was ruled by Zheng Yi Sao in the late 1700s. She was taken from her home in Guangzhou, China, as a child and rose up the ranks to rule the waves. It's such an amazing story it's almost unbelievable.
At her peak, she commanded 1,800 ships and 70,000 men and would defeat the emperor himself.
This book is full of great illustrations, making it a fascinating and exciting book for any kid.
My Journey to Lhasa - on Amazon here
This an absolute classic. The quest to reach Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, is an amazing tale of dare doing and conquest. It does not always paint the West in the best light. So many people and countries wanted to reach the capital of the Forbidden Kingdom, and the Tibetans were so determined to keep them out, it has its own book called Trespassers On The Roof of the World (on Amazon here).
On determined character was Alexandra David-Neel and this is her first person account of her 1924 adventure into Tibet. She dressed as a beggar and endure ferocious conditions to pursue her goal.
The Discovery of Jeanne Baret - on Amazon here
I love this book. It's one of the best adventure stories I've read and I had absolutely no idea about Baret before I discovered the book. But even if you do know about her, you are probably wrong!
She dressed-up as a man to sneak about a French ship, and became the first woman to sail around the world in the 1760s. The common misconception, and almost everything you'll read online, is that her sex was outed by a Polynesia man who could see past her disguise.
The truth is much more horrifying and it was in everyone's interest to perpetuate the myth rather than reveal the reality.
Ada Blackjack: A True Story of Survival in the Arctic - on Amazon here
Four young men and Ada Blackjack ventured into the wilderness. Only Blackjack survived.
This is the story of an incredible Inuit woman who was sent to a desolate island to colonise it on behalf of Britain. When she immerged, she was hailed as the Arctic's Robinson Crusoe, and later accused of murdering the men. The reality is a gripping tale of survival and heroism beyond imagination.
