Beyond the Trees
A Journey Alone Across Canada's Arctic
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Beyond the Trees
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Narrated by:
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Adam Shoalts
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Written by:
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Adam Shoalts
About this listen
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 LaneWhat 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 RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anthony Morrison
- 2022-11-22
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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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mike from Alberta
- 2021-02-26
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DrHex, Alberta, Canada
- 2020-10-31
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jamie Levine
- 2020-09-19
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Wendy
- 2020-06-02
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Samantha H Lawrence
- 2021-03-10
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jackie
- 2022-08-26
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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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- L Mac
- 2023-08-25
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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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Tanja Streit
- 2019-11-14
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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joan
- 2020-05-27
Fascinating story
I loved listening to Adam's story. It is truly impressive what he accomplished. I just watched the film, so it was interesting to see the locations, but I thought his words in the book captured it best. Great book!
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