Adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys selects some of his favourite and most formative reads. His book Local is out now
Living Dangerously (1987)
By Ranulph Fiennes
I can’t be the only person to have been stirred by these tales of reckless derring-do towards dreaming of adventures of my own.
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As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning (1969)
By Laurie Lee
This poetic, bucolic tale of tramping through Spain showed me that you don’t need to be an aristocratic tough guy to have adventures, and later inspired me to busk badly through Spain.
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Over the Edge of the World: Magellan’s Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe (2005)
By Laurence Bergreen
I find it hard to get excited about musty old tales of musty old explorers, but this was a thrilling refresher of a violent, courageous expedition.
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The Gentle Art of Tramping (1926)
By Stephen Graham
As I began exploring the idea of short, simple, local adventures I found much wisdom in this 100-year-old tale of slowing down, paying attention and the joy of simple journeys.
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Feral (2013)
By George Monbiot
After years travelling the world and dreaming of England’s green and pleasant land, it was a profound shock to learn of the terrible nature-depleted condition of the green hills I always thought were beautiful.
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Waterlog (2000)
By Roger Deakin
One of my favourite things on any expedition is to stumble upon a refreshing river for a quick dip. Waterlog combines swimming and adventure into a single lyrical journey.
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An Immense World (2022)
By Ed Yong
This is what school and a zoology degree at university were supposed to do, but never managed: to fill me with wonder, enthusiasm and curiosity for the natural world all around us.
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Every Day Nature: How Noticing Nature Can Quietly Change Your Life (2020)
By Andy Beer
The book does what it says in the title – once you begin paying attention to the everyday miracles outside your window, life feels richer and more interesting.
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Read our review and read an extract of Local by Alastair Humphreys
