Five Months in a Leaky Boat

by Ben Kozel

Clean unmarked copy in tight binding with no owner marks.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Adventure, Russia

Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Harrison Slattery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll start off by saying that some, if not most of the rowing talk went over my head! However, this book is a charasmatic series of vingettes as 4 travellers explore the mighty Yenisey river. The people of Mongolia, Siberia & Northern Russia are incredibly resilient, and almost unbelievable friendly to total strangers. Make me want to travel to these remote areas.
Would recommend for anyone looking to learn more about these remote locations, the geology & the people in it.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sequal was not as easy to read as their first book. It did drag in places (as did the journey).
However on the upside I found it very interesting reading about part of the world you dont often hear about. The Yennisay river and Lake Baikal sound like facinating places.

While reading the groups 2nd adventure I did have in the back of my mind that they were much more prepared for this journey which actually took the glean off, when compared to their first (flying by the seat of your pants) book.

[Christel Keijzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interestingfive month adventure of 2 Canadians and 2 Australians travelling the fifth longest river in the world, the Yenisey, from it's source in Mongolia to its mouth in Siberia and the Arctic Ocean, by rowing power

[Miguel Galy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read but as said before.... It drags on a bit in parts spending too much detail on nothing important.....

[Vjnobregayahoo.Co.Uk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as their first book, but still a good read.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written account of a great, intrepid adventure. I found it a hard book to put down, although I probably appreciated it more having just come back from Siberia. The interesting cultural and historical insights were skillfully woven into the story. Some short sections describing the group dynamics and other details could have been shortened a bit, but overall an excellent read. I bought this book after attending a presentation by Ben - he's a very entertaining speaker as well. I haven't read the his Amazon book yer, but I definitely want to after enjoying this one.

[Reed V · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rowing talk I found hard to follow though I felt as though they were trying to dumb it down for me haha.
I liked all the different stories of their adventures and side quests. I think it would have been cool and maybe would have been more interesting if it was told from all the different perspectives. It was very interesting though, their resilience was amazing!

[Col · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Enjoyed the read but it was a bit bland. Lacked a bit of je ne sais quoi.

[Faith Kerehona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*
What a great book!
Granted, I'm the target audience for something adventurous set in Arctic regions, but still, I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought it might get a bit repetitive after a while, but there are plenty of interesting anecdotes as well as cultural and historical digressions to keep the reader entertained right to the end.
But more than the adventure, I enjoyed the open-mindedness and modesty of the author who, rather than beating his own drum about being the first to journey along the length of the Yenisey by manpower alone, turns the spotlight on the locals instead. By showing that cultural differences are no barrier to friendship and cooperation, this book rekindled my faith in human nature.
Now I'm going to have to get my hands on "Three Men in a Raft"!

[Lee Belbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice complement to Kozel's book on rafting down the Amazon. Instead of heat and terrorists, this one has cold and vodka. One other difference was that the team of 4 (and for a short stint a local girl was added) had their serious philosophical differences. I found it interesting that the team made it to the end intact. A credit to them. The descriptions of the scenery were an eye-opener. The support and interest of the locals was nothing short of amazing, but in those very wild and remote places, I suppose it is natural. It did me good to read of the wonderful Russian hospitality. The vodka was no surprise as I have experienced Russian camaraderie! A great read.

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four adventurers who cross the Mongolian Steppe and arrive at the Arctic Circle rowing on the Yenisey River. Easy read. Few 'words'.

[Diane in Australia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars = I liked the book. I'm glad I read it.