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Lines on a Map: Unparalleled Adventures in Modern Exploration
Two decades of adventure writing are captured in this entertaining and inspiring collection of travel journalism by renowned adventurer, writer, filmmaker and environmentalist Frank Wolf. Lines on a Map is a compilation of Frank Wolf’s best work from the past two decades. Some of the adventures two friends on a cycling and volcano-climbing odyssey across Java, the world's most populous island, in the world's most populous Muslim country, Indonesia, in the wake of 9/11; a surreal private lunch with former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau during an 8000 km canoe journey across Canada; discovering the past and present on a 900 km hiking and kayaking journey from Skagway, Alaska, to Dawson City, Yukon; negotiating the cultural divide during a whitewater paddling expedition in Laos and Cambodia with Russian extreme kayakers; exploring the nature and politics of a multi-billion dollar pipeline in northern BC by hiking, biking and kayaking the GPS track of the proposed project route from the oil sands to the British Columbia coast; conducting a mammal tracking survey in the course of a 120 km ski traverse of Banff National Park; discovering the truth about the existence of Sasquatch in northern Ontario; retracing Viking history during a canoe trip across Scandinavia. Complete with dozens of colour photographs, Wolf weaves together humour, drama and local knowledge to transport readers to some of the outermost corners of the globe in an epic quest to celebrate the freedom to move, explore and be wild.
360 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2018
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352 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 19, 2019
If you're looking to read some great adventure stories in places most of us will never get to see, you'll enjoy this book. Frank Wolf is obviously an accomplished explorer and he is a strong writer who is able to communicate his experiences in a compelling way. I always enjoy reading about people who have such a passion for the outdoors that they put themselves through seriously grueling situations for the fun of it — it's an interesting insight into a personality type that is so different than my own. However, I do have a few bones to pick with the book that kept it from earning the 4-stars I considered giving it.
I do wish that this book was all new material. Some of the chapters are articles previously published in magazines, so unfortunately there is a lot of repetition in terms of the phrases he uses and the ideas he discusses. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if all the trips were interwoven into a single narrative.
It's also one of my pet peeves when adventure books include a lot of proselytizing. You don't need to include comments about how greedy and materialistic the world is or how we need to scale back on development to preserve nature. The point of adventure writing, in my opinion, is to let the adventure do the convincing. If you paint a vivid enough picture of the incredible experiences you have had in nature and getting outside your comfort zone, people will come to their own conclusions about environmental issues. Unless you are actually going to go into detail about how to balance economic and environmental issues, I don't think it's useful to mention it at all. Otherwise it just comes across as simplistic and actually does a disservice to the arguments for conservation and sustainability.
At the same time, the shortcomings of the book are actually just interesting insight into the way Wolf's mind works. For example, he is convinced that we all have a primal need for adventure inside of us which can only be satiated by getting out into nature and challenging yourself; however I think there are many ways people satiate this need for adventure, from moving to a new city to getting married. As well, his writing often has the attitude of "why doesn't everyone just do as I do? The world would be so much better", but not in a conceited way; he genuinely wonders this. Similarly, I've found other explorers seem to be unable to understand the motivations and daily lives of the outside world. And that makes sense. I think people like Wolf are wired differently and that just shows from the fact that they go on these wild trips.
If you approach this book as a study of the mind of an adventurer as well as a log of some incredible journeys, you'll enjoy reading it a lot more.
I do wish that this book was all new material. Some of the chapters are articles previously published in magazines, so unfortunately there is a lot of repetition in terms of the phrases he uses and the ideas he discusses. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if all the trips were interwoven into a single narrative.
It's also one of my pet peeves when adventure books include a lot of proselytizing. You don't need to include comments about how greedy and materialistic the world is or how we need to scale back on development to preserve nature. The point of adventure writing, in my opinion, is to let the adventure do the convincing. If you paint a vivid enough picture of the incredible experiences you have had in nature and getting outside your comfort zone, people will come to their own conclusions about environmental issues. Unless you are actually going to go into detail about how to balance economic and environmental issues, I don't think it's useful to mention it at all. Otherwise it just comes across as simplistic and actually does a disservice to the arguments for conservation and sustainability.
At the same time, the shortcomings of the book are actually just interesting insight into the way Wolf's mind works. For example, he is convinced that we all have a primal need for adventure inside of us which can only be satiated by getting out into nature and challenging yourself; however I think there are many ways people satiate this need for adventure, from moving to a new city to getting married. As well, his writing often has the attitude of "why doesn't everyone just do as I do? The world would be so much better", but not in a conceited way; he genuinely wonders this. Similarly, I've found other explorers seem to be unable to understand the motivations and daily lives of the outside world. And that makes sense. I think people like Wolf are wired differently and that just shows from the fact that they go on these wild trips.
If you approach this book as a study of the mind of an adventurer as well as a log of some incredible journeys, you'll enjoy reading it a lot more.
February 13, 2025
So many primal urges
February 9, 2019
five stars for my cousin Frank's crazy adventures
October 20, 2022
Frank is a legend. We need more Frank's. I appreciate the conservation lens through which he looks at many of his adventures.
December 13, 2024
While this book is not focussed specifically on maps, they are a significant element in it - which is why I’m including it in my challenge to read 12 books about maps.
It probably draws its title from the forward by author John Vaillant. In it, he talks about seeing a map of Frank Wolf’s self-powered adventure routes zigzagging across North America, and being intrigued and a bit in awe of the fact that the author did all these routes by canoe, kayak, foot, bicycle – anything that did not involve motorized assistance.
Each of these adventure stories contains two maps at the start of each story, an inset map and a larger more detailed map of the inset to show you where exactly he travelled. And wolfs introduction ends with “the common thread is the pure joy to be found in stepping outside your comfort zone and breathing life into a line on a map.”
Some of it’s pretty extreme adventuring. Of course, any of the stories that involve paddling, I absolutely loved.
Tough not to like a book full of stories about paddling … with maps.
Read this on Kindle, which may not be the best way to read it. There are several photos associated with different stories that you don’t get to see until the very end. Now I haven’t seen the paperback hard copy edition of this book but I would assume the photos wouldn’t all be lumped together at the end.
It probably draws its title from the forward by author John Vaillant. In it, he talks about seeing a map of Frank Wolf’s self-powered adventure routes zigzagging across North America, and being intrigued and a bit in awe of the fact that the author did all these routes by canoe, kayak, foot, bicycle – anything that did not involve motorized assistance.
Each of these adventure stories contains two maps at the start of each story, an inset map and a larger more detailed map of the inset to show you where exactly he travelled. And wolfs introduction ends with “the common thread is the pure joy to be found in stepping outside your comfort zone and breathing life into a line on a map.”
Some of it’s pretty extreme adventuring. Of course, any of the stories that involve paddling, I absolutely loved.
Tough not to like a book full of stories about paddling … with maps.
Read this on Kindle, which may not be the best way to read it. There are several photos associated with different stories that you don’t get to see until the very end. Now I haven’t seen the paperback hard copy edition of this book but I would assume the photos wouldn’t all be lumped together at the end.
February 22, 2021
Novel by Frank Wolf “Lines on a map” provides a collection of adventures for those of us, especially during the pandemic, who are unable to follow in his footsteps. This novel lends an escape from the day to day, and transcend ever so intimately into each adventure creating a sense of excitement and true adventure for the reader.
Frank Wolf captures the innate need for solitude, self reflection and independence. However, with each adventure he has an accompanying partner or two, further illustrating his high regard for the importance of human connection and relationships.
Isn’t that what we are all searching for at some time or another? Adventure and meaningful relationships? His light hearted approach to challenges, along with vast survival skill competencies and ability to move on without annoyance or dread, shows a strong character that most people take for granted. As stated in the novel by Taku at the completion of a trip, asking how does he feel to be returning from the trip and now back to his family, stating “life is good when you have to choose between tough things.”
No tough choice here-a great read and time well spent!
Roberta Hubble
Frank Wolf captures the innate need for solitude, self reflection and independence. However, with each adventure he has an accompanying partner or two, further illustrating his high regard for the importance of human connection and relationships.
Isn’t that what we are all searching for at some time or another? Adventure and meaningful relationships? His light hearted approach to challenges, along with vast survival skill competencies and ability to move on without annoyance or dread, shows a strong character that most people take for granted. As stated in the novel by Taku at the completion of a trip, asking how does he feel to be returning from the trip and now back to his family, stating “life is good when you have to choose between tough things.”
No tough choice here-a great read and time well spent!
Roberta Hubble
June 30, 2020
A truly great encapsulation of adventures here. I appreciate writing that is humble and inclusive, not seemingly ego driven- and this book is exactly that. Wolf seems like a person who simply loves what he does and is following his passion. Each chapter could have been made into a book unto itself. Heartfelt, gripping and funny, the stories transport you to a different, often obscure, often months-long adventure in far flung wilderness areas of Canada, Asia and Europe. The opening chapter will pull you in with a crazy survival epic while later stories touch on subjects of philosophy and environment that spring forth with reflective honesty. The chapters clip by, with short magazine-style stories that make for an easy and fast read. A great way to inspire you to get off your butt and go out on an adventure.
April 24, 2021
Frank's madcap adventures through remote wilderness and untouched scapes, inspire a longing within me to return to my own adventures. Though, possibly to a region without quite as many mosquitoes. His inspiring group of short-story adventures allow us to experience a simplicity of travel that is mostly lost to today's ennui of technological preplanning.
I will always follow Franks travels with relish, imagining myself as a paddling companion, when reading the pages of an adventure.
Armchair travelling his adventures, in the age of Pandemic restrictions, has been a life saver!
Thanks Frank! I look forward to your next harrowing biopic, article or book.
I will always follow Franks travels with relish, imagining myself as a paddling companion, when reading the pages of an adventure.
Armchair travelling his adventures, in the age of Pandemic restrictions, has been a life saver!
Thanks Frank! I look forward to your next harrowing biopic, article or book.
January 6, 2022
I came upon this book after a friend passed it along to me. Never heard of the author before but the stories were really interesting and immersive- they transported me to places I’ll never go. I especially enjoyed the chapter ‘Loss’, which intimately brings you into the psychology of going on one of these months-long wilderness epics. Wolf is a true adventurer and great writer- I was sorry for the book to end- I wanted more! Highly recommended.
January 23, 2019
The book started out great. I was excited for some adventures. But now, so close to the end, I'm not even sure I can finish it. I get that you think Alberta is 'like Mordor' or 'bleak' and the people are terrible money hungry monsters, but to go on and on about it to push your clear agenda isn't necessary. A little bit of balance would have been nice, or if that's too hard maybe just stick to the adventures and leave the politics out.
February 7, 2019
I buzzed through this page-turner that took me from the farthest corners of the Canadian north to the deepest jungles of Indonesia. Funny and thoughtful, this book is not only entertaining but also shows us the value of some of the last really wild places left on this planet. Great maps and pictures that really add to the stories too. Loved it!
June 8, 2022
A friend brought this book along on a weeklong ski trip at a hut in the mountains. I read most of it and loved it so much I bought my own copy when I got home! Simply a great collection of really well written and inspiring stories. The opener is one of the most gripping survival stories I’ve ever read- so good!
May 3, 2020
This is a fantastic book. Each short story propelled me into the adventure. I love that it is written by a local and that many of the stories are in Canada. It has inspired me to seek kayaking and canoeing as a way to explore the back country.
May 28, 2020
If you're looking for adventure, this is it! Frank Wolf is a very inspiring adventurer. Where many people dream, Frank does. His creative ability to weave themes into each one of his epic adventure's pulls you in and makes for an excellent read!
January 29, 2021
Got a little repetitive despite the stories all being from different times and in different places. Wolf often seemed ill equipped or had partners without the experience necessary so it seemed things went very wrong a lot. But a perfect trip isn’t as good a story I suppose. .
May 14, 2023
Clearly not adventures for just anyone
paddling upstream and across Canada?
lots of feeding the mosquitoes and other bugs
Not my idea of a vacation
I think I'll stick to something a little more tame for myself
Nevertheless these adventures are interesting
Nice to have photos included
paddling upstream and across Canada?
lots of feeding the mosquitoes and other bugs
Not my idea of a vacation
I think I'll stick to something a little more tame for myself
Nevertheless these adventures are interesting
Nice to have photos included
May 6, 2019
Crazy tales!
October 2, 2019
Some of the stories are great. But at the end of the day this just comes off as a series of magazine clippings.
March 17, 2024
Frank Wolf is a Canadian hero, should be Canadas PM. His love for the land, and adventure and how he writes his experiences in the wilderness make you feel like you were right there with him. Very inspiring book and looking forward for my next adventure myself.
February 20, 2021
Great read start to finish. Frank is a true Canadian living legend and storyteller. Looking forward to his next one.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews