Lonely Planet on the Edge: Extreme Travel

by Cecil Kuhne, Permissions, Inc. Random House

Travel is the basis of true adventure, and a thirst for adventure lies at the heart of the most memorable travel. Venturing where no one has ever gone before, pushing your body to its limits in the harshest natural environments, or having to adapt, physically and mentally, to the demands of an alien culture: such moments bring both ourselves and our world into focus like nothing else. Lonely Planet...On the Edge follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the world's best travel writers in jungles and on the seas, off the beaten track and even off the planet. On foot, on camel or on a sailing ship: Lonely Planet...On The Edge will enthral you from start to finish.

Genres: Travel, Adventure

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Adrian Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it. I own the book, so might read it again in future.

[Curtis R · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good anthology to arouse an appetite for adventure and remind one of many of the realities of travel. Covering all seven continents and the moon (!!!) there is a little something for everyone, with both stories both successful and scary. Themes such as uncertainty, exploitation, helplessness, tension and resignation remind one of the realities of cross-cultural exploration; this is balanced by themes of the individual necessarily growing in alertness, action, ability and triumph.

Honestly most of the sections were too short to be fully immersive in both the story and the authorial perspective and tone, but its a nice enough book to scan through for stories that stick out to you, the reader...or you can just leave it in your bathroom and give guests and yourself an excellent alternative to scrolling through the phone while they're sitting on the can.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Adventure travel can also be described as poorly planned vacation."

"They were led by moods and circumstances, whereas I was controlled by my expectations."

"Global boundaries are no impediment to the adventures one can collect if armed with the right attitude. In fact, you can have them in your own neighborhood if you look closely enough and keep an open mind."

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating of 2,5 - Some excerpts of stories were interesting yet very short and others longer, yet unfulfilling. I might look up a couple of the larger books and a few I will surely avoid. In that aspect I felt its purpose was met but I'm glad I got it used from a second hand shop. The best parts were from desolate and lonely areas in deserts showing the bravery of some travelers' souls.

[Jemima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the short stories are very good. Others less so!