David Grann
[isbn]
David Grann’s reputation precedes him — he writes incredibly smart and propulsive nonfiction — and his latest more than lives up to his high standards. This tale of disaster and mutiny in the 18th century British navy is absolutely amazing, in every sense of the word.
Recommended by Keith M.
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Ian Urbina
[isbn]
I picked up this book because I’ve always had an interest in the world’s oceans and this subject seemed fascinating with its combination of true crime and the high seas. Wow! I was introduced to a world I didn’t know existed. Each chapter brings to light a surprising multitude of lawbreaking, and details the efforts of those who risk their lives fighting some horrendous crimes and injustices. Read about cruise lines behaving badly, illegal... (read more)
Recommended by Steph C.
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Doug Bock Clark
[isbn]
The Last Whalers is the extraordinary story of the Lamalerans, a tribe of 1500 hunter-gatherers who live on an incredibly remote island, and the ways that modern culture is encroaching upon their way of life, which is centered around subsistence whaling. Doug Bock Clark lived with the Lamalerans for three years, and his fascinating account brings them into sharp focus; The Last Whalers is compelling, page-turning journalism.
Recommended by Lucinda G.
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Foster Huntington
[isbn]
There is no greater feeling than hitting the open road to see where it takes you. Van Life celebrates those who make the open road their home. While we're not van dwellers, my family and I find that adventuring the West in our Dodge Sprinter van is our home away from home. No need to be a fellow van lifer to appreciate the rich photographs and stories in this beautiful collection — just don't be surprised if it converts you into... (read more)
Recommended by Kate L.
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Finn Murphy
[isbn]
Fascinating, funny, surprising, and insightful, The Long Haul is filled with great characters and first-rate storytelling. My husband, who used to drive trucks, also loved it, and says, "Murphy knows the game and avoids the trappings of the trucking myth, accepting the reality that during months of sometimes tedious driving, you can catch glimpses of unfiltered universal honesty and beauty."
Recommended by Jill O.
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Alfred Lansing
[isbn]
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton left for the Antarctic. While World War I occupied Europe, the Endurance was destroyed by ice and the men aboard were left far from help in a barren land where the darkness got longer every day. Although written in the 1950s, Alfred Lansing's account of this incredible survival story is just as fresh and riveting as anything by Jon Krakauer, Timothy Egan, or Erik Larson.
Recommended by Eva F.
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Billy Sparrow
[isbn]
While many of us have dreamed of leaving it all behind and
embarking on an epic adventure, Billy Sparrow actually did it. In 1997 he
cashed in his savings and bought an old wooden sailboat called Tranquility
(which proved to be anything but tranquil). The account of his journey is both
inspiring and entertaining. It's the type of book that should come with a
warning sticker that says, "Caution: May cause reader to quit job, leave
family, sell... (read more)
Recommended by Shawn D.
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Erik Larson
[isbn]
An exploration of the sinking of the Lusitania, Dead Wake is so suspenseful and engaging that Larson actually had me hoping against history that the ship wouldn’t sink. Dramatic, fast-paced, and meticulously researched, Dead Wake will appeal to history lovers of all stripes.
Recommended by Rhianna W.
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Daniel James Brown
[isbn]
Brown masterfully narrates the tale of the 1936 American Olympic rowing team and their gold medal triumph. He paints a vivid picture of the men in the boat, their world, and their sport. A fascinating glimpse into a bygone era.
Recommended by Mary Jo S.
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David McCullough
[isbn]
In The Wright Brothers, David McCullough spins a history both exhaustive and personal, sharing original correspondence and examining secondary characters like the Wright sister, Katharine. With McCullough's signature depth and thoroughness, The Wright Brothers pays captivating homage to the two men who so exemplified the American spirit.
Recommended by Gigi L.
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Mike Ashworth and Mike Ashworth
[isbn]
With visual representations of every subway, light rail, and streetcar system on earth, Transit Maps of the World, now updated and expanded, is a treasure trove for travel and design enthusiasts. The historical maps, which reveal not only a city's evolution but also trends in how we've conveyed information, are particularly fascinating.
Recommended by Renee P.
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