Just finished my second read through of Barbarian Days by William Finnegan, a book about his lifetime of surfing around the world with different friends. This is not just a surf book, Finnegan is a long time staff writer for the New Yorker and this book won the Pulitzer, it’s a fantastic read even if you have never been near a surfboard. I’m looking for something in a similar vain, well written that explores a passion that sometimes borders on obsession for an area of study or ideally an outdoor activity. Thanks!
by Arosthenes
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You Shall Know Our Velocity by Eggers may scratch the itch
Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols (journalist and professional skipper) is about the 1968 race to be the first (known) single sailor to circumnavigate the globe. Absolutely about passion and obsession.
The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean is… well, it’s about orchids. Specifically the ghost orchid. The film Adaptation is sort of a double hitter in terms of adapting the book’s obsession focus but also the passion for filmmaking.
A Perfect Red by Amy Butler Greenfeld is a broader, cultural historical obsession with cochineal, a specific red pigment used in dyes.
Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World by Aja Radan (historian and jeweler herself), is an engaging exploration of what makes stones worthless or worthwhile, and how 8 specific gems have shaped history. Also it has pictures!
Edited to add: I’ve seen Barbarian Days on the bookstore shelf loads but hadn’t really looked at it, will definitely be picking it up now!
The Brotherhood of the screaming abyss by Dennis McKenna.
It’s his autobiography heavily features his brother. The passion that features throughout is doing mushrooms in the jungle