Article: Maximising the outdoors

Tuesday July 7, 2009

Great Outdoor Adventures

Author: Bear Grylls

Publisher: Transworld, 256 pages

Do you long for adventure without being quite sure how to find it? Do you want to sleep under the stars and experience the wonders of the natural world? More of us than ever are spending weekends and holidays climbing mountains, surfing waves or simply walking in the wilderness. But how can we use our time out in the open to the full? Intrepid survival adventurer Bear Grylls shares his years of experience of the world's most extreme terrain to help you get the most from the great outdoors. Find out how to make a tree house, or what dangers to watch out for when you're skiing or paragliding. And if you're planning a hike, discover how to navigate across the hills without ever getting lost and what to pack in your rucksack to keep you safe.

Bumbling through Borneo

Author: Tom Schmidt

Publisher: Kakibubu Media, 112 pages

Follow the humorous day-by-day account of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect, as he finds himself on an uncertain journey deep into the heart of Borneo with a small troupe of intrepid backpackers. Share an arduous journey up the fabled Rejang River to experience life in a traditional longhouse, ending in a deadly race through virgin rainforest aboard runaway logging trucks to a world of subterranean splendour. Discover the Malaysian state of Sarawak a land abundant in natures treasures ruled by a melting pot of cultures on a collision course with environmental catastrophe.

How Green are My Wellies?

Author: Anna Shepard

Publisher: Eden Project Books, 416 pages

Do you think "turning green" means becoming dull? Anna Shepard doesn't. Part personal experience, part manual, How Green Are My Wellies? describes her efforts to live a life that is both fun and sparkly green. Month by month, she explores everything from avocado cleansers to guerrilla gardening to worm-racing in order to perfect the art of being green. Discover how to slim down your waste and throw a clothes-swap party; go in search of green love; and start dreaming of a green Christmas. Funny, heart-warming and charged with infectious enthusiasm, this book demonstrates unequivocally that you can be green with style.

The Trouble With Dragons

Author: Debi Gliori

Publisher: Bloomsbury, 32 pages

This picture book by the creator of the best-selling No Matter What is a cautionary tale for readers young and old about the use and misuse of the planet, featuring dragons. The world is populated by some beastly dragons who care nothing for how much they mess up the oceans, chop down the trees, gobble up all the food and use everything up without stopping to think.

Those dragons need to wake up to what they are doing to their world before it is too late. This energy-filled picture book addresses concerns about the environment in the most child-centric and delightful way possible.

Ultimatum

Author: Matthew Glass

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press, 400 pages

November 2032. Joe Benton has just been elected the 48 president of the United States. Only days after winning, Benton learns that previous estimates regarding the effect of global warming on rising sea levels have been grossly under-estimated.

For the United States, a leading carbon emitter for decades, the prospects are devastating: 30 million coastal-dwellers will need to be relocated, Miami will be washed into the ocean and southern California will waste away to desert.

With the world frighteningly close to catastrophe, Benton opts to abandon multi-lateral negotiations in the Kyoto 4 summit and resumes secret bilateral negotiations with the Chinese – the world's worst polluter. As the two superpowers lock horns, the ensuing battle of wits becomes a race against time.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf  7 July 2009