‘My Life as an Explorer’ by Roald Amundsen

Written By Chris Shirley MA FRGS

Ethics statement: Within the article, there are affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking the link, I will receive a small commission. To know more about our terms of service, you can visit the link at the bottom of the page. Thank you!

Challenge ★★★★★

Inspiration ★★★★☆

Insight ★★★★☆

Verdict: An utterly fascinating book that has to be read to be believed!

Roald Amundsen's ‘My Life as an Explorer’ is a staple for any would-be adventurer or explorer, detailing his extraordinary life and unparalleled achievements.

 

This memoir, published just a year before his mysterious disappearance at the North Pole, is a compelling and intimate glimpse into the highs and lows of Amundsen's stellar career, which surpasses those of his more famous rivals, Ernest Shackleton and Robert Falcon Scott.

 

The book is celebrated as one of the 100 greatest adventure books of all time by National Geographic, and for good reason. Amundsen was the first to navigate the treacherous Northwest Passage and beat Scott to the South Pole, cementing his place in history. His narrative is not just a tale of conquest and survival but also a testament to human determination and ingenuity. The memoir includes bonus material such as Amundsen's article from The New York Times detailing the days leading up to his reaching the South Pole on December 14, 1911, which adds a valuable historical perspective to the book.

 

Readers are treated to an array of original illustrations and additional photographs from Amundsen’s expeditions, which bring his adventures to vivid life. The memoir is a warts-and-all account, providing an unvarnished look at the challenges and triumphs that defined Amundsen's life. His writing is candid and reflective, offering insights into the mindset and strategies that led to his success.

 

For those seeking to further immerse themselves in Amundsen's story, the 2019 film Amundsen, featuring Pål Sverre Hagen (from the 2012 Kontiki film), is an excellent companion piece that visually captures the essence of Amundsen's adventures.

 

In summary, My Life as an Explorer is a must-read for anyone fascinated by the spirit of exploration. Roald Amundsen's achievements are documented with a richness that inspires awe and admiration, making this memoir not just an adventure story but also a profound exploration of human resilience and ambition.

You might also like these adventure films:

Adventure film reviews
The Martian (2015)
The Martian (2015)

Perhaps one of our favourite films, "The Martian," directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2015, captivated audiences with its gripping portrayal of survival and resilience in the face of insurmountable odds.

Based on Andy Weir's 2011 novel of the same name, the film follows astronaut Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, who is presumed dead and left behind on Mars after a fierce storm forces his crew to evacuate the planet. Stranded alone with limited supplies and no means of communication, Watney must utilise his ingenuity and scientific expertise to find a way to survive on the hostile planet while awaiting rescue.

Nyad (2023)
Nyad (2023)

"Nyad" is a fascinating biopic that follows the life of Diana Nyad (played by Annette Bening), a record-breaking long-distance swimmer as she tackles a long-held ultra-swimming goal.

At the age of 60, she embarks on a mission to swim nonstop from Cuba to Florida, a challenge that had defeated her in her younger years.

The film explores Diana's mythic roots and portrays her as a valiant warrior willing to endure the most extreme physical and mental challenges, which is bought to life by her excellent TED talks that you can find on YouTube.

Free Solo (2018)
Free Solo (2018)

A visually staggering piece (as you would expect from Jimmy Chin), ‘Free Solo’ captures Honnold's attempt to free solo El Capitan, a 3,000-foot wall in Yosemite Valley. It prompts reflections on the psychological motivations behind his extraordinary feats, touching upon his comparison of mental intensity to that of a samurai. The documentary doesn't shy away from exploring the ethical dilemmas faced by the camera people filming Honnold's climb, pondering the potential witnessing of a catastrophe and its filming repercussions, adding a layer of suspense and ethical questioning to the narrative.

The Way Back (2010)
The Way Back (2010)

"The Way Back," a 2010 American survival film directed by Peter Weir, delves into the riveting story of escape and endurance set against the backdrop of World War II.

Inspired by Sławomir Rawicz's memoir, the film follows the harrowing journey of Janusz Weiszczek, a Polish officer sentenced to a Siberian Gulag after being falsely accused. Weiszczek, joined by an eclectic group including an American engineer, a Russian criminal, a Polish artist, a Latvian priest, and others, stages a daring escape amidst the desolate Siberian landscape.

14 peaks (2021)
14 peaks (2021)

‘14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible’ ventures beyond the realms of mountaineering feats of this inspiring world record attempt, but also delves into the emotional backstory that helps these daring endeavours happen. The documentary focusses on Nirmal Purja, known as ‘Nimsdai’, as he embarks on an unprecedented quest to conquer the world's 14 highest peaks (over 8000 metres height) in an astonishing seven months, a record previously set at seven years.

Long way Round (2004)
Long way Round (2004)

‘Long Way Round’ is a wonderful British television series (and accompanying book), which documents the motorcycle journey of actors and close friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York City via Europe, Asia and North America, some 20,000-miles across 12 countries and 19 time zones in just 115 days. The series follows their journey, highlighting the challenges they face, the people they meet and the cultures they encountered along the way, set to a great soundtrack.

The lost city of Z (2017)
The lost city of Z (2017)

A visually stunning film (with some real scenes shot at the Royal Geographical Society in London!), "The Lost City of Z" is emotionally powerful that tells the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett (based on book by David Grann), a British explorer, archaeologist, and army officer, and his quest to find an ancient civilisation in the Amazon rainforest throughout the early 20th century.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

A feel-good film about choosing the harder path in life, Walter (played by Ben Stiller, who also directed the film) is an asset manager at a prestigious glossy magazine in danger of being made redundant by the firm’s move to a purely digital output.

Kontiki ( 2012 )
Kontiki ( 2012 )

If you’ve not heard of Thor Heyerdahl’s epic Kontiki expedition, it might be worth booking a trip to the museum in Oslo to see the raft for yourself, as this movie will leave you inspired by such an epic endeavour.

This ambitious sailing endeavour defies belief that a project like this was even possible (let alone only a few years after World War II ended), so If you think ocean rowing is the tip of the maritime adventures spear, then you’ll want to find out about Heyerdahl’s incredible project, the 2012 film is a really rich story of how it came together.

Chris Shirley MA FRGS

About the Author: A former Royal Marines officer and advisor to the BBC, Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Guinness World Record holder for rowing over 3500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and is the founder of ‘Haus of Hiatus’, a website design and branding studio that designs and amplifies start-ups, scale-ups and special projects around the world.

He has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities, and is delighted to have had his work featured by the United Nations, Red Bull, BBC, and even seen at the South Pole!

https://www.hausofhiatus.com/team
Previous

‘Facing Up’ by Bear Grylls
Next

‘The Places in Between’, by Rory Stewart