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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 (314 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
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

feels like retelling the same event

I feel.like I listened to the same event retold 4 or 5 times. just didn't engage me at all

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    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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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Recommend listen

Adam’s story telling is 10/10. His documentary brought me to his book. If you enjoyed the documentary this book is just like adding all the minor details of his amazing journey. Well done!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Epic trip

Such an epic trip and great determination of adventurer Adam Shoalts. I was really looking forward hearing the story and it was indeed an interesting listen. However, taking on a trip like this i was surprised by the lack of emotions the author/adventurer shared with us. After awhile into the story, there was a lot of repetition and it was too descriptive of the basic circumstances for my taste. I was able to follow the adventure step by step, but I couldn't feel the excitement or fears, dangers, or relieve of his journey. The story was a bit too neutral for such an amazing undertaking.

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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
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best I’ve heard

Kept me interested the whole book. Unbelievable stamina. I’ve been audience to is adventure talks…. Excellent. His wife must be an amazing person! I look forward to reading his other books and the next one coming this fall.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiration and love for north

Loved this book. Graet journey in arctic.
Story of his adventures is healing and appealing

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Jan
  • 2023-05-08

Strength and Perseverance

Hearing this book had me thinking about what it takes to be alone and self reliant in the wilderness, and the grit and strength, both physical and mental that it takes to do something like this. I’m happy to do my safe things close to home and listen, this man is made of much sterner stuff! I enjoyed listening to his daily efforts to complete this long journey.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

The Same over and over.

While I enjoyed the visualization of the story, there was so much repetition throughout.
One thing that also kept jarring me was the use of "ex-caped" instead of "es-caped", several times.
I admire the author and his adventures so much, but this story does not leave me thrilled.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

paddling adventure across Canadian North

This interesting adventure is well written and an entertaining listen. At times, perilous and poignant. A reflection on perseverance and the grand landscape of the Arctic, with a lot of bugs.

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