This is the story of how Thor Heyderdahl and five other men crossed the Pacific Ocean on a balsa-wood raft in an extraordinary bid to prove Heyderdahl's theory that the Polynesians undertook the same feat on such a craft over 1000 years ago.
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From the Back Cover
'The Kon-Tiki Expedition' is the enduring story of how, in 1947, Thor Heyerdahl and five companions crossed the Pacific Ocean on a balsa-wood raft in an extraordinary bid to prove Heyerdahl's theory that the Polynesians undertook the same feat on similar craft over a thousand years ago.
Updated with a new Epilogue to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the voyage, this classic tale of survival against the most insurmountable odds, with its delightful descriptions of the myriad sea life the adventurers encountered and the seafaring trials they encountered – culminating in the wreck of the 'Kon-Tiki' in the South Seas – remains one of the most fascinating and exciting expeditionary accounts ever written.
"An incredible adventure story which happens to be true."
SOMERSET MAUGHAM
"An enthralling account of an experience without parallel."
OBSERVER
"I have never read a more tonic story of adventure."
RAYMOND MORTIMER, 'Sunday Times'
"One of the best adventure books ever written … a privilege to read."
HOWARD SPRING, 'Country Life'
"An enthralling book … the most absorbing sea tale of our time."
NEW YORKER
"What a book! It has spine-chilling, nerve-tingling, spirit-lifting adventure on every page."
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
About the Author
Thor Heyerdahl was born in Norway in 1914. He received the Order of Merit or similar decorations from Peru, Italy, Egypt, Morocco, Bulgaria, Norway and Sweden. He wrote many books on early travel and sea exploration. He died in April 2002.
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First Sentence
ONCE IN A WHILE YOU FIND YOURSELF IN AN odd situation. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
ONCE IN A WHILE YOU FIND YOURSELF IN AN odd situation. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This is one of my favourite books of all time and I can't believe it has never been made into a film.
The scene in the book when they are being waved off in Peru and everyone thinks they are doomed is fantastic.
One of the most audacious and life affirming stories you'll ever read.
The scene in the book when they are being waved off in Peru and everyone thinks they are doomed is fantastic.
One of the most audacious and life affirming stories you'll ever read.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By "aparthur"
Format:Paperback
This is one of those books I'd always wanted to read, but could not getfrom the book shop or the library.
My excuse to read it finally came inthe final year of my degree, when I decided to write my thesis on the linkbetween technology and exploration. This book was one I thought might helpme.
I finally found a copy on Amazon, and what I got didn't dissapoint me.
It starts off, with Heyerdahl in Polynesia before the war, on a beachwhere an old man tells him of the Legend of who the Pacific Islanders camefrom the East.
Heyerdahl abandons his study of Naturalism and leads himto pursue anthropology. He then forms a hypothesis that the PacificIslanders are descended from the peoples of South America, and migrated toPolynesia on Balsa Rafts.
After the War, Heyerdahl though a respected Anthropologist, sees histheory rejected as absurd and impossible.
Despite this, he sets out to conclusively prove his theory to be right,using the best method possible. By actually undertaking the voyage.
Hetakes you through the voyage, from the background to it, to the prep work,to the actual high seas.
The text rich and descriptive. It is one of those books that once youstart reading it, you are hooked. Its so well written, you almost feel asthough as you are on the expedition.
You see how what starts off a seemingly obscure hypthesis, is proved to bea perfectly valid, and that the opinion of so called the "experts" is notalways to be taken as the final word.
If you only ever read a handfulbooks in your life. make sure this is one of them.
It has the all the ingredients of great story -drama, action, emotion,science, hardship, triumph. Though, there is no fiction here. Every eventreally happened.
Since buying this book, (about 20 months ago) I have read it at least fivetimes so far, and each time has been as great and facinating as the firsttime. I expect my copy has as many years of reading left in it as I have.
My excuse to read it finally came inthe final year of my degree, when I decided to write my thesis on the linkbetween technology and exploration. This book was one I thought might helpme.
I finally found a copy on Amazon, and what I got didn't dissapoint me.
It starts off, with Heyerdahl in Polynesia before the war, on a beachwhere an old man tells him of the Legend of who the Pacific Islanders camefrom the East.
Heyerdahl abandons his study of Naturalism and leads himto pursue anthropology. He then forms a hypothesis that the PacificIslanders are descended from the peoples of South America, and migrated toPolynesia on Balsa Rafts.
After the War, Heyerdahl though a respected Anthropologist, sees histheory rejected as absurd and impossible.
Despite this, he sets out to conclusively prove his theory to be right,using the best method possible. By actually undertaking the voyage.
Hetakes you through the voyage, from the background to it, to the prep work,to the actual high seas.
The text rich and descriptive. It is one of those books that once youstart reading it, you are hooked. Its so well written, you almost feel asthough as you are on the expedition.
You see how what starts off a seemingly obscure hypthesis, is proved to bea perfectly valid, and that the opinion of so called the "experts" is notalways to be taken as the final word.
If you only ever read a handfulbooks in your life. make sure this is one of them.
It has the all the ingredients of great story -drama, action, emotion,science, hardship, triumph. Though, there is no fiction here. Every eventreally happened.
Since buying this book, (about 20 months ago) I have read it at least fivetimes so far, and each time has been as great and facinating as the firsttime. I expect my copy has as many years of reading left in it as I have.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the tale of the first trip by Norseman Thor Heyerdahl. It tells of his attempt to prove his theory that the Indians of South America crossed the Pacific ocean and populated Polynesia.
This journey is followed up with the Ra proving the theory that ancient egyptians could cross the Atlantic and the Tigris in later books.
If you like his book, you should also try Tim Severin. He has also done several journeys in replicas of ancient seagoing vessels.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Great, read this when I was a kid, and it is nice to re-visit now in middle age! two more words
Published 1 month ago by C. Hammick
2.0 out of 5 stars
Kon Tiki Expedition (Structural Readers)
Purchased the wrong book. Thought it was the full adult version. Turned out to be a childrens shortened version. Should have read the details better, my fault.
Published 5 months ago by joyce hopps
5.0 out of 5 stars
expeditions
This book, translated from the Norwegian,records the voyage in 1947 of 6 men on a balsa wood raft (built by pre Columbian methods) from Peru to Raroaia Island in Micronesia where... Read more
Published 5 months ago by G. I. Forbes
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real adventure
I aquired this book when I was 12 years old & have been re-reading it occasionally since, I am now 69 & still think its an
inspiring adventure. Read more
inspiring adventure. Read more
Published 23 months ago by blossom
5.0 out of 5 stars
The greatest true adventure story ever told
Since I found it as a teenager in 1964, I've loved this book without reserve. Everything about it is perfect. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2010 by nibs2lou
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kon Tiki Expedition
A classic, and since their amazing trip many others have rafted accross the Pacific, disproving Thor Heyerdahl's theory. Read more
Published on 5 July 2010 by Bond
5.0 out of 5 stars
kontiki
a great adventure from beggining to the very end ,all the more facinating that it is all fact not fiction across a vast ocean on an ancient styled raft. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2009 by Mr. Sean Mcskeane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
A must-have book, and the best adventure/expedition book I've ever read. What makes it so wonderful is not the incredible bravery and pluck of Heyerdahl and his crew on this epic... Read more
Published on 31 Jan 2009 by Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kon-Tiki Expedition
I found this book in a charity shop, it has loads of black and white photographs, they all look so boyish and enjoying themselves tremendously, an amazing craft they have made,... Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2007 by Ms. M. J. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb tale of adventure on the high seas...
This is an account of the real life adventure of a young Norweigen and his crew as they sail across the pacific ocean in a homemade balsa raft over 50 years ago, just to prove a... Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2004 by Sinbad
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