Adventure Books
The Lord Of The Rings:
The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers, The Return Of The King
by J.R.R. Tolkien
These are the greatest adventure books ever written. Enter the world of Middle-Earth
and discover the incredible depth of Tolkien's imagination. Though the movies
released in 2001-2003 were excellent, the books are far more detailed and open
up the mind through the power of words. Once you start reading them -- you will
not be able to put them down . . . they will consume you . . . and will become
. . . "my precious."
At Play In The Fields Of The Lord
By Peter Matthiessen
1965
Missionaries from the United States travel to a remote village in South America
with the hopes of converting the natives to Christianity. This story takes place
in the Amazon jungle as Lewis Moon and his pudgy sidekick Wolfie encounter adventure
at every turn. Matthiessen is a gifted writer whose character descriptions are
both detailed and humorous.
The Spy Who Came In From The Cold
By John Le Carre
1963
A British secret agent is caught in a world of international
espionage he cannot control. In the world of the spy, distinctions
between good and evil; right and wrong; and truth and lies become
fantastic blurs. The book takes place in Russia, England, and East
Germany. This is Le Carre's most concise and quickly-paced novel.
Red Dragon
By Thomas Harris
1981
This book introduces Harris' most memorable character, Dr. Hannibal
Lecter. Lecter is a wildly brilliant killer bound up in a maximum
security prison. Now, the FBI agent that caught him, Will Graham,
needs his help to solve a new series of violent murders. Fans of the
movie Silence Of The Lambs will find this book to be an
exciting prequel.
Tailchaser's Song
by Tad Williams
A young cat begins a search for his girlfriend but finds himself
thrust into an adventure that he will never forget. He is made a
slave by a creature from the beginning of time and his travails and
travels make for one of the best books I have ever read. He makes new
friends, forms strange alliances and hears stories of things that
boggle his mind. And in the end he must look deep within himself to
save all of creation.
-- reviewed by Fritti
Moby Dick
by Herman Melville
This is the classic story of Ahab's obsessive search for the white
whale who in their previous meeting tore Ahab's leg off. Along for
the tragic ride are the fellow sailors, Ishmael, Starbuck, Stubb,
Queequeg, etc. whose own simple goal, to hunt whales, stand in marked
contrast to the epic obsession of their Captain. It is still one of
the greatest adventures of all time. Influenced deeply by both the
King James translation of the bible and Shakespeare, it also stands
as one of the best written novels ever.
-- reviewed by Phaedra Malino
A Touch of Frost
By R D Wingfield
This is a fantastic book, the story is clever and it keeps you
guessing right up to the last paragraph. It's about Detective Frost,
a scruffy detective, a modern day Socratic figure who has to piece
together lots of evidence that seem completely unconnected. He has
amazing detection powers and a sense of humour to match. I read the
series of book by Wingfield three times, he is a wonderful author who
really cuts into the bitterness and compassion of human nature. The
tv show is on in the UK, but the book is more interesting and
humerous.
-- reviewed by Ian
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