World Book Day

As today is World Book Day, I’d like to invite readers of DAOILAL what their favourite book is. Mine is the epic ‘The Worst Journey in the World’ by Apsley Cherry Garrard, which is a powerful account of Scott’s Antarctic Expedition between 1910-1913. Garrard, who was the youngest member of the expedition team, describes the extreme hardships the party had to endure over the three years, including of course Scott’s ultimately tragic Polar Journey. He also portrays the sheer natural beauty of this vast frozen continent, his various encounters with the native wildlife (including Killer Whales), and the difficulties in overcoming such isolation. At its heart, The Worst Journey, aided by Garrard’s modest style, is about human spirit and humbles the reader, forcing a reappraisal of the true meaning of courage and endurance.

As a sideline, I'm not one of the 42% of folk who have lied about reading Orwell's 1984. It is in my top 10, although not as good as Down and Out in Paris and London!