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BOOK REVIEWS
Leading On The Edge Rachael Robertson 2014 ISBN 978-0-7303054-9-1
A story of adventure from the prospectus of leadership . Rachael Robertson took on the challenge of leading a team of Australian scientists and specialists in one of the worlds most challenging environments , Antarctica , the result Leading on The Edge .
Leading On The Edge , is Robertson ’ s account of her time in the lead up and during the year on the southern continent , an account of job prospect , leadership , and adventure .
Robertson ’ s story telling is different , it ’ s part biographical , part self help book . At times this works well as we learn what she took from the experience , and at times it fails as she comes across judgemental , often suggesting the skills and leadership of others is not to her standard . Unfortunately , this detracts from the story of experiencing such isolation amongst the icy world of Antarctica and Leading On The Edge becomes mostly one of the self-important ‘ do as I tell you ’ business books .
Leading On The Edge is still a worthwhile read if you are looking for something that examines what it takes to lead in extreme conditions however , it delves a little into the realms business rather than adventure or travel .
Robertson ’ s story is well written and should be considered if you are looking for something a little different .
Tracks And Horizons Carlos A . Caggiani 2010 ISBN 978-1-4537853-7-9
Over a two-year period , Carlos Caggiani travelled the world on an ageing Indian Chief .
Without a penny to his name , Carlos , at the age of 24 explored 26 countries having to overcome the challenges of an old motorcycle and the experiences of living on the road . Tracks and Horizons is his fascinating story .
Tracks and Horizons takes us from the high mountains of South America to the Midwest plains of the United States , from uncomfortable encounters with the FBI and being shot at during the Bolivian revolutionary war , to warm welcomes and lasting friendships . This is a book about the human spirit and what we can all come through if pushed .
Despite being written many years after the exploits of the early 1960s , Caggiani has managed to capture the essence of motorcycle travel and what it does to one ’ s soul , something done long before much more lorded travellers experienced , and it comes through in the writing , the reader feels like part of the journey taking many of us back to the simpler ways of our youth .
Tracks and Horizons doesn ’ t get bogged down in needless detail , it flows with an ease that will encourage anyone to ride , to explore , to become immersed in a world that is not all bad .
Caggiana ’ s Tracks and Horizons is a must read , we just can ’ t believe it took us so long to come across it .
TRAVERSE 185