Paddle to the Arctic : The Incredible Story of a Kayak Quest Across the Roof of the World

Rating:
Summary: This guy has incredible determination
Review: He was so determined to get to his goal that he was willing to risk death. And it is not hard to die in the artic. It was truly enjoyable to read about someone's harrowing experiences in the unforgivable artic from my warm couch. Although he had a few breaks, like finding cabins just when he needed too, (I don't think that early adventurers had that option or GPS, and they died for it)he still faced the natural elements without wining and worked hard when others would have quit. This was a great adventure story.

Rating:
Summary: More irritating then inspiring
Review: This is a partial review, in that I put it down after the first 2 chapters. Embarking on this epic journey, he capsizes within 50 miles of his start point and is woefully unprepared to handle it. At this point I couldn't care less about the fate of the author on his future attempts.

Rating:
Summary: Incompetence and egomania in the Arctic
Review: When I first read this book, some of the adventures seemed so implausibly stupid that I suspected that the story was a hoax. Rest assured, the events described - however improbable - really did take place. The book is a must read for anyone contemplating solo adventures in the Artic, if for no other reason then to dissuade them. However, Starkell is hardly a suitable role model; those who are familiar with his adventure have described him as "a danger to himself and everybody around him". Nor can much be said for his character; he almost killed his partner by forcing her on when she was seriously ill, yet in his account of the episode, he talks about nothing but how frustrating it was to be behind schedule.

For a truly heroic account of this and other adventures, I highly recommend the account of the late Victoria Jason, who accompanied him on his first two trips. Her book, Kabloona in the Yellow Kayak: One Woman's Journey through the North West Passage, is an inspiring account of courage and generosity made all the more remarkable by the fact that all the while she was battling what turned out to be a terminal illness. Despite all obstacles, she nonetheless succeeded where Starkell failed -- and kept all her fingers and toes to boot.