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  • Beyond the Trees

  • A Journey Alone Across Canada's Arctic
  • Written by: Adam Shoalts
  • Narrated by: Adam Shoalts
  • Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (316 ratings)

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Beyond the Trees cover art

Beyond the Trees

Written by: Adam Shoalts
Narrated by: Adam Shoalts
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Publisher's Summary

A mesmerizing odyssey through an unforgiving landscape, and the rich history it reveals.

What does it mean to explore and confront the unknown? Beyond the Trees recounts Adam Shoalts's epic, never-before-attempted solo crossing of Canada's mainland Arctic in a single season. It's also a multilayered story that weaves the narrative of Shoalts's journey into accounts of other adventurers, explorers, First Nations, fur traders, dreamers, eccentrics, and bush pilots to create an unforgettable tale of adventure and exploration.

Interspersed with his stories of navigating mazes of shifting ice floes, facing down snarling bears and galloping musk-ox, and portaging along knife-edge cliffs above furious rapids, are the fascinating legends, historic persons, and incredible anecdotes that make up the lore of the North. They include the saga of the Mad Trapper, a man whose feats of endurance and ingenuity were almost as legendary as his violent end; the story of the controversial Vilhjalmur Stefansson, a redoubtable dreamer but also one who was blamed for the deaths of his companions; the tale of the "Lost Patrol" of the Mounties who perished in a blinding blizzard; the formidable Tyrell brothers who together charted much of Canada's North; the eerie ruins of Fort Confidence that was built nearly two centuries ago on Great Bear Lake; and the decaying remnants of gold prospector David Douglas's cabin overlooking the Dease River. The North is indeed a perilous place. Also told in the book is the tragedy of John Hornby and his two companions who starved to death on the banks of the Thelon River; their bones are still resting just above the riverbank in shallow graves.

Beyond the Trees also discusses folklore about wendigoes, strange lights, and the mystery of Angikuni Lake, where in 1930 an entire Inuit camp supposedly vanished without a trace. These mysteries and wonders are Shoalts's only companions as he sets out on his own path through the adventure of a lifetime.

©2019 Adam Shoalts (P)2019 Allen Lane
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

What the critics say

Shortlisted for the 2020 Louise de Kiriline Lawrence Award for Nonfiction, Short-listed

National best seller

“[Shoalts] brings us along on his solo journey across the Arctic, infused with the wonder of seeing this majestic land and the urgency of making it back before winter sets in.” (Toronto Star)

“[A]mple moments of adrenaline and suspense and descriptions of breathtaking natural beauty in his voyages, but it’s his thirst for the unknown - the blank spots - that resonated.” (The New York Review of Books)

“When reading Beyond the Trees, one gets the impression of author Adam Shoalts as a kind of Jack Kerouac meets Jack Reacher: an obsessive wanderer at his calmest in the midst of catastrophe.” (Atlantic Books Today)

What listeners say about Beyond the Trees

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Peaceful, entertaining and educational

This book really captured my mind and imagination. I found myself in another place while listening; a serene place close to nature; a place full of adventure lifting my spirit away from my suburbia life into the outstretched hands of Mother Nature. Shoalts tells his wild journey in a straight forward, down-to-earth narration. It grips its listeners attention, but rises above the typical Hollywood sensational twists that most adventure stories lean toward, and also avoids tedious, artificial cliffhangers. It is extremally well-written in its direct and enchanting perspective, and his subtle sense of humor adds flavor and personality. It has an educational sub-plot, ranging from survival techniques, to historical accounts, and much useful insights in natural vegetation (and so much more). It's romance with nature has made it an instant favorite of mine, This book belongs in your collection.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Very well-written.

Narrator not bad but had an annoying tendency to over-enunciate certain words (ie Musk...Ox instead of just saying muskox lol).

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Yes it did

Yes this book made me care more about our land and its wild nature. It established my desire to do what I can to preserve and take care of the wildlife and landscape of the North. Thank you Adam Shoults.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Exhausting but intriguing story.

The author described day after day of gruelling, at least to most mortals, his trip alone for months. The dangerous conditions and his creative ways to deal with them were inspiring to read. Amazing adventure very few will experience, but I’m glad he wrote about it for us mortals to experience through his perspective.

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Awe Inspiring

Few of us "common" adventurers can even come close to the magnitude of this venture. With determination and purpose, Adam surpasses many challenges. I could only hope that some day we may hear of more detail about this and future explorations. As this book is narrated by the author, it makes the journey of listening even more personal.

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Great adventure story!

For someone who loves nature and being in the outdoors, I thoroughly enjoyed Adam Shoals’ account of his journey across the Arctic, especially when life circumstances does not allow me to adventure into the wild as I would like. His tale is inspiring and had me staying up late to hear how the next lake crossing or rapid riding turned out. His writing paints a clear picture of the beauty of Canada’s wild, and hearing him tell the story of his adventure makes it all the more exciting. I also enjoyed listening to interesting facts about the wildlife and various historical landmarks he encountered.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A Great Canadian Adventurer

This story combines the tale of an arduous and nail-biting journey over 4000 km of Arctic terrain, with humour and tidbits of Arctic history.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring

This telling adventure of a monumental challenge, and the show of pure will and determination from Adam is simply inspiring. It makes me want to go explore more if what this great country has to offer in its wild places, and I entend to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

What an experience!

Adam is a adventurer, passionate about Canada and a thrill seeker. I am jealous of the journey he was able to complete across Canada's Arctic. I would recommend this novel to anyone who needs inspiration for nature and the beauty that's in front of you once you put your phone down. I can't wait to hear Adam speak at the event on Friday! Thanks for taking your readers along on your Journey!

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Packing my bag

Takes you away on the journey. Really loved the author reading the story. Inspires a sense of adventure in the reader.

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