Synopsis
Armchair adventurers and lovers of the idiosyncratic will thoroughly enjoy John Keay's amusing account of notable, nutty personalities from the lunatic fringe of nineteenth century world travelers.
Meet "contemptuous, trigger-happy" Savage Landor, who climbed the Himalayas without mountain climbing gear because he considered it "cheating". Fend off crocodiles with Mary Kingsly, the eccentric English spinster who traversed the swamps and steamy interiors of Africa in formal black skirts, high collars, cummerbunds, and furry hats. Consider the curious Frenchman Louis de Rougemont and his "Most Amazing Story a Man Ever Lived to Tell", and take a "Walk On the Weird Side" with Dr. Ludwig Leichardt, the "unsufferably prickly" German botanist who vanished without trace into the Australian Outback. There is also the tale of canoe-paddling evangelist John "Rob Roy" MacGregor, who sailed through the Suez Canal before it was built, and that of sailor John Dundas Cochrane, who tried to walk around the world. Finally, consider the strange fate of Isabelle Eberhardt, the morose "Amazon of the Sands" who died at the age of 27 a legend of the Sahara.
John Keay has assembled a witty, satirical companion volume to his much heralded Eccentric Travelers that entertains as it recaptures the unique spirit of the long lost nineteenth century travel writing literary tradition.
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About the Author
In a long and distinguished writing career, John Keay's most recent works have been on south and south-east Asia, most notably 'Last Post: The End of Empire', 'India, A History' and the bestselling "The Great Arc'. He is married to the author Julia Keay and together they complied the "awesome" Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland. They have four children and live in the Highlands.
Review
'a book shot through with astonishing incident' -- John Hillaby, Daily Telegraph
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Explorers Extraordinary
Seller: Cheryl's Books, Vinemont, AL, U.S.A.
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Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Paperback book in good condition. Seller Inventory # JUNE0816A0138240
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Explorers Extraordinary
Published by
Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., Los Angeles, 1986
ISBN 10: 0874773970
ISBN 13: 9780874773972
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First Edition
Seller: About Books, Henderson, NV, U.S.A.
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Paperback. Condition: Fine condition. NOT a library discard (illustrator). 1st printing of First Softcover Edition. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. , 1986. Fine condition. Appears unread. Bright, clean, tight, square, unmarked. Flat, uncreased spine. Not price clipped ($7.95). Not a remainder. No store stamp, owner's name or bookplate. No underlining. No highlighting. No margin notes. 29 illustrations. Map. "The lunatic fringe of Victorian exploration." In this witty miscellany of nutty world travelers, meet Savage Landor who climbed the Himalayas without mountain climbing gear because he considered it "cheating." Also the evangelist who sailed through the Suez Canal before it was built; the sailor who tried to walk around the world; the eccentric English spinster who explored Africa in formal black skirts and high collars; etc. A look at the curious exploits of John MacGregor, Dundas Cochrane, Isabelle Eberhardt, Dr. Ludwig Leichhardt, Mary Kingsley, Louis de Rougemont, Savage Landor. Bibliography. 1st printing of First Softcover Edition. Softcover. Fine condition. Illus. by NOT a library discard. 195pp. Great Packaging, Fast Shipping. Seller Inventory # 010605
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Explorers Extraordinary
Published by
J.P. Tarcher, Los Angeles: C.A., 1986
ISBN 10: 0874773970
ISBN 13: 9780874773972
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Seller: Booked Experiences Bookstore, Burlington, ON, Canada
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Soft cover. Condition: Fine. Fine in Fine jacket 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. pp.195 with bibliography. An amusing account of notable, nutty personalities from the lunatic fringe of 19th c. world travelers. clean tight copy slight edgewear. Seller Inventory # 002516
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Explorers Extraordinary
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Explorers Extraordinary
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paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # mon0000000803