‘We are Explorers’, by Kari Herbert
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"We Are Explorers" by Kari Herbert delves into the really captivating stories of fourteen women whose adventurous spirits and curiosity led them to extraordinary discoveries around the world.
Herbert, an accomplished author and illustrator and notably, the daughter of famed British polar explorer Sir Wally Herbert, brings these narratives to life with her engaging storytelling and beautiful illustrations. The book celebrates both famous and lesser-known female explorers, revealing the formidable challenges they faced, the significance of their achievements, and the personal motivations driving them.
The stories span various fields, including botany, aviation, and polar exploration. From Sacagawea’s renowned expeditions to Mae Jemison’s pioneering journey into space, these women hailed from diverse regions such as the United States, Japan, Germany, and New Zealand. They trekked across deserts, navigated dense jungles, ventured into the Arctic, and explored uncharted territories, often defying societal norms and overcoming substantial obstacles.
Herbert’s narrative not only highlights their ground-breaking contributions but also provides a deeply personal insight into their lives. "We Are Explorers" is richly illustrated in colour, making it a visually captivating read. This book serves as an inspiring testament to the courage and determination of female explorers, encouraging readers, especially young ones, to dream big and pursue their own adventures.
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I’ll start with the summary up front, this is an incredible book that’s inspiring, astounding, emotional (the first few chapters are quite hard going when you here about the backstory behind why she chose the expedition), laugh-out-loud funny (especially her meeting with Eric the boar!), endearing, and warm. These are just a few of the words I’d use to describe Rosie’s utterly incredible 5-year running adventure, but you’ll need to read it for yourself.
Are you planning to climb Mont Blanc, row across an ocean, or want to make yourself a better outdoorsperson / survivalist in general? Definitely check this useful little book out then.
It’s a super handy guide on how to tie over 30 knots with step-by-step images of each part of the process so you can master the important ones used in all adventures, such as the stopper knot, bowline, figure of eight, and the clove hitch.
So the bottom line up front, is we really love this book - for its range, diversity of storytelling, and accessibility. You can pick it up in any chapter, read for a few minutes, and feel positive about embracing challenges.
It provides an interesting take on adventure and endeavour, and linguistically widens the term to show how previously unheard-of scientists, explorers, geographers, activists, and others, took risks to explore new areas, both socially, professionally, and personally, to change the world for the better.
About the Author: Chris is the founder of Hiatus.Design, a website design and branding studio that works with brands all over the world, a former Royal Marines officer and former risk advisor to the BBC.
Chris has travelled in over 60 countries, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS), a Guinness World Record holder for rowing over 3500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, a Marathon des Sables finisher, and has worked with Hollywood actors, world–renowned musical artists and TV personalities!
The real-life adventure follows Eric Newby CBE MC, a second world war prisoner, former special forces soldier, and fashion photographer (an interesting career path in itself!), and his diplomat friend, Hugh Carless CMG, as they drive a station wagon from London to Kabul, Afghanistan, via Iran – a journey of some 5000 miles (around 8000 kilometres) through Europe, Turkey, Iran, over the course of a month and all without any support vehicles. We think this itself is an impressive feat of planning and navigation in the era before GPS, mobile phones, or breakdown assistance!