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Rating: 
Summary: Of Caves and Caving by John Gillett
Review: A full odyssey of caving adventures is described in this book by an experienced British caver. Detailed descriptions are given, not only of the caves themselves but also of the people, the settings, the equipment and the anecdotes from detailed diaries recorded over 40 years. The book covers caves and potholes both in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA. Amongst the many exciting trips described is: a descent into the deepest cave in France by a multi-national team, a trip via canoe, a trip via light aircraft, a trip through the longest cave in France in a Weekend, a trip with risk of bears, a family trip, a trip with frogs - the list goes on... This book is appealing to all readers - especially non-cavers. It answers fundamental questions that non-cavers might ask like: What is caving? Why do people do it? It illustrates how can you get full appreciation from an outdoor sport by using all your 5 senses and developing your skills. The book takes a philosophical approach to caving that could be applied to other areas of life. Life is a journey of discovery and each caving trip is eloquently described to illustrate this.
Rating: 
Summary: I felt like I was there.
Review: Author John Gillett does a good job of describing the caves he's visited during his long caving career. When I read about his adventures, I felt like I was there right along with him. If there is a fault with this book it's that the cave visits end too quickly. There is a subtle, just-another-day-at-work-in-the-cave tone to the chapters. I know we can't all be Shakespeare, and Gillett does do a better job than most, but I just can't help feeling that this story is missing an element that could've made it a five-star book. On the whole though, it's a good read and I recommend it highly.
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