Levison Wood

Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richerTravel opens our minds to the world; it helps us to embrace risk and uncertainty, overcome challenges and understand the people we meet and the places we visit. But what happens when we arrive home? How do our experiences shape us? The Kindness of Strangers explores what it means to be vulnerable and to be helped by someone we've never met before. Someone who could have walked past, but chose not to. This is a collection of stories by accomplished travellers and adventurous souls like Sarah Outen, Benedict Allen, Ed Stafford and Al Humphreys, who have completed daring journeys through challenging terrain, adventuring from the Calais Jungle to the Amazon, from Land’s End to the Gobi Desert, from New Guinea to Iran and many other places in between. Each has a story to tell of a time when they were vulnerable, when they were in need and a kind stranger came to their rescue. These are stories that make our hearts grow, stories that will restore our faith in the world and remind us that, despite what the media says, the world isn't a scary place – rather, it is filled with Kind Strangers just like us. All royalties go directly to fund Oxfam’s work with refugees.

As wildfires ravage the planet and the ice caps melt, global warming reaches a critical point; there is only one solution to solve the climate emergency. It's been there all along. The humble tree. Levison Wood has spent a lifetime exploring wild places and witnessing environmental challenges andconservation efforts around the world. Now, he's delving into the incredible world of forests. In this global investigation, The Great Tree Story explores the profound influence forests have had on our planet and civilisation. Each chapter digs into a different aspect of this relationship, from the evolutionary history of trees and their cultural significance in ancient civilisations, to the impacts of agriculture, colonisation, and the industrial revolution on forest ecosystems. The book highlights the wisdom of indigenous communities in forest stewardship, examines the environmental movement's efforts to protect forests, and analyses the causes and consequences of deforestation and environmental degradation. Forests are integral components of the global ecosystem. They serve as complex habitats for flora and fauna, supporting a delicate web of interdependence that we have only scratched the surface of understanding. Every organism, from the towering trees to the smallest insects, plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity that sustains our planet. The intricate relationships woven within forests are not to be underestimated, for they are the threads that hold our world together. In this compelling weaving of fascinating anecdotes and in-depth research, Wood contemplates the future of forests, emphasising the importance of collective action and individual responsibility in preserving these vital ecosystems before it's too late.

Embark on 20 epic expeditions alongside real-life explorer Levison Wood, from the Silk Road and medieval pilgrimages to the Holy Land to Nellie Bly's trip around the world, and recent missions to the Moon and the Mariana Trench. Along the way, Levison Wood shares his own insights into adventuring, telling you what it's REALLY like to follow in the footsteps of Alexander the Great. Beautifully illustrated with maps showing the routes and filled with detail bringing the cultures of each region to life, this is a book to treasure from one of our greatest living explorers. Perfect for budding explorers aged 9+.

A global exploration into the profound influence forests have had on our planet and civilisation.

*WITH A NEW INTRODUCTION* A major Channel 4 series and a Sunday Times bestseller ‘A real adventure’ ObserverOne of the greatest adventures of the twenty-first century. 4,250 miles, nine months, six countries, one vast continent . . . on foot. In 2013, Levison Wood decided to take on a challenge that nobody had attempted before: to trek the length of the Nile on foot. The challenge was immense. Starting at the source of the Nile in the forests of Rwanda and concluding at its mouth on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, Levison recounts his epic journey and looks back on the extraordinary people he met, the natural wonders he encountered and the unique wildlife he came face-to-face with in some of the region’s most remote and spectacular locations. Thoughtful, inspiring and dramatic throughout, Walking the Nile is not only a tale of one great adventure, but a vibrant picture of an ever-changing continent. ‘Thoughtful and informative, an extremely good book’ Daily Mail

'The perfect accompaniment to a year of forest walks' Gardens IllustratedA forest scientist's enlightening journey through Britain and Ireland's trees. Discover the majesty and minutiae of the arboreal world in this joyous month-by-month guide, including woodland folklore and traditions, expert insight on the 'tree of the month', scienti?c marvels, curiosities to spot, recipes, crafts and things to do. Along with positive environmental actions and fascinating new ways to understand the trees that surround us, this book is an indispensable companion for connecting more deeply with silvan culture. Praise for The Tree Almanac 2024:'I love this book' Lauren Laverne, as featured on BBC Radio 6 Music'A seductive mix of science, history and culture' Tracy Chevalier

'An important account of one of the defining moments of the modern world' PETER FRANKOPAN**Pre-order the paperback now!** Readers' praise for Escape from Kabul: 'It's rare for a book to be so well written that you feel you are there yourself. I felt like I was holding my breath reading it. Truly eye opening and shocking' ?????'Must read for military historians. Brilliantly written by those who understand modern warfare and politics. Highly recommended.' ?????'A compelling page-turner' ????? The evacuation of Kabul in August 2021 will go down in military history as one of the most unexpected events in modern times. In an eerie replay of the disastrous British retreat from Kabul in 1842, coalition troops withdrew from Afghanistan after twenty years of military campaigning. The subsequent collapse of the Afghan government and its army shocked the world, as a resurgent Taliban gathered its forces and swept across the country. Thousands of Afghans who had worked with the allies were left to the meagre mercy of the Taliban. As the Taliban went door to door to execute 'collaborators', a small international task force set out on a daring mission to evacuate as many Afghans and their families as possible. Drawing on a wide range of first-hand accounts - the politicians and officers who planned the trans-continental rescue, the young soldiers who were faced with the unenviable task of keeping a crowd of thousands of desperate people at bay, former interpreters and soldiers of the Afghan Special Forces who made it out - Escape from Kabul is the harrowing true story of Operation Pitting and the Kabul airlift. ------'An essential contribution to the historical record, told with lucid flair' - Sophy Roberts'A compelling account of one of the most seismic events in recent years. . . Vividly told, Escape from Kabul captures the human cost of America's deal with the Taliban' - Larisa Brown'Escape from Kabul is savage, adrenalin-fuelled, brutally honest, compelling, and essential reading. Wood and Jones are a dream team writing about a nightmare. . . These are the stories that soldiers tell each other when the press and politicians have packed up and moved on. These are the real stories of the men and women who snatched honour from the jaws of humiliating betrayal and defeat' - Ben Timberlake'Escape From Kabul explains through personal knowledge and eye-witness testimony the bravery, endurance and professionalism of men and women tasked with achieving the near-impossible'- Stuart Ramsay, Chief Correspondent, Sky News'Wood and Jones have done an excellent job of translating that chaos into a powerful narrative, replete with human drama and - to some extent - horror. It is certainly compelling and disturbing reading' - Mail on Sunday

100 of the most astonishing stories of human survival, adventure and exploration, chosen by Levison Wood. We are always captivated by tales of courage and bravery, of world-firsts and death-defying experiences. In this anthology, explorer and bestselling author Levison Wood has gathered 100 of the most fascinating accounts of human endurance throughout history. From the heroism of Antarctic explorers to pioneering women in the Middle East; from record-breaking athletes to survivors of war and torture, this wide-ranging collection embraces both classics of the genre, as well as new and neglected voices. The extracts are organised around a range of themes; you will find those who sought out new frontiers, or who purposely tested their physical limits in full knowledge of the dangers or risks they might face, but also those who endured persecution and suffering, or were thrust into life or death situations yet defied the odds to survive. Endurance is packed full of you-couldn't-make-it-up true stories and adventure fiction classics, from the high seas to the poles, from inhospitable jungles and deserts to the unknown realms of space, through physical and mental despair to euphoric highs. Yet all of these extraordinary stories celebrate the enduring nature of the human spirit, and show the mental and physical determination it sometimes takes to achieve one's aims. This varied and compelling collection will take you on an adventure around the world, but also on an emotional journey exploring what it means to be human. Includes extracts about and by Ernest Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Amelia Earhart, Marie Colvin, John Krakauer, Solomon Northrup, Ella Maillart, Freya Stark, Ed Stafford, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Aron Lee Ralston, María Elena Moyano, Gertrude Bell, Isabelle Eberhart, Nellie Bly, Alex Honnold, Nelson Mandela, David Nott, Jules Verne, Neil Armstrong and Scott Kelly.

'An important account of one of the defining moments of the modern world' PETER FRANKOPAN Readers' praise for Escape from Kabul: 'It's rare for a book to be so well written that you feel you are there yourself. I felt like I was holding my breath reading it. Truly eye opening and shocking' ?????'Must read for military historians. Brilliantly written by those who understand modern warfare and politics. Highly recommended.' ????? 'A compelling page-turner' ????? The evacuation of Kabul in August 2021 will go down in military history as one of the most unexpected events in modern times. In an eerie replay of the disastrous British retreat from Kabul in 1842, coalition troops withdrew from Afghanistan after twenty years of military campaigning. The subsequent collapse of the Afghan government and its army shocked the world, as a resurgent Taliban gathered its forces and swept across the country. Thousands of Afghans who had worked with the allies were left to the meagre mercy of the Taliban. As the Taliban went door to door to execute 'collaborators', a small international task force set out on a daring mission to evacuate as many Afghans and their families as possible. Drawing on a wide range of first-hand accounts - the politicians and officers who planned the trans-continental rescue, the young soldiers who were faced with the unenviable task of keeping a crowd of thousands of desperate people at bay, former interpreters and soldiers of the Afghan Special Forces who made it out - Escape from Kabul is the harrowing true story of Operation Pitting and the Kabul airlift. ------'An essential contribution to the historical record, told with lucid flair' - Sophy Roberts'A compelling account of one of the most seismic events in recent years. . . Vividly told, Escape from Kabul captures the human cost of America's deal with the Taliban' - Larisa Brown'Escape from Kabul is savage, adrenalin-fuelled, brutally honest, compelling, and essential reading. Wood and Jones are a dream team writing about a nightmare. . . These are the stories that soldiers tell each other when the press and politicians have packed up and moved on. These are the real stories of the men and women who snatched honour from the jaws of humiliating betrayal and defeat' - Ben Timberlake'Escape From Kabul explains through personal knowledge and eye-witness testimony the bravery, endurance and professionalism of men and women tasked with achieving the near-impossible'- Stuart Ramsay, Chief Correspondent, Sky News'Wood and Jones have done an excellent job of translating that chaos into a powerful narrative, replete with human drama and - to some extent - horror. It is certainly compelling and disturbing reading' - Mail on Sunday

Levison Wood's most personal story yet, as he shares his most valuable rules to live life by, learned from fifteen years travelling through a hundred countries.

100 of the most astonishing stories of human survival, adventure and exploration, chosen by Levison Wood. We are always captivated by tales of courage and bravery, of world-firsts and death-defying experiences. In this anthology, explorer and bestselling author Levison Wood has gathered 100 of the most fascinating accounts of human endurance throughout history. From the heroism of Antarctic explorers to pioneering women in the Middle East; from record-breaking athletes to survivors of war and torture, this wide-ranging collection embraces both classics of the genre, as well as new and neglected voices. The extracts are organised around a range of themes; you will find those who sought out new frontiers, or who purposely tested their physical limits in full knowledge of the dangers or risks they might face, but also those who endured persecution and suffering, or were thrust into life or death situations yet defied the odds to survive. Endurance is packed full of you-couldn't-make-it-up true stories and adventure fiction classics, from the high seas to the poles, from inhospitable jungles and deserts to the unknown realms of space, through physical and mental despair to euphoric highs. Yet all of these extraordinary stories celebrate the enduring nature of the human spirit, and show the mental and physical determination it sometimes takes to achieve one's aims. This varied and compelling collection will take you on an adventure around the world, but also on an emotional journey exploring what it means to be human. Includes extracts about and by Ernest Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott, Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, Amelia Earhart, Marie Colvin, John Krakauer, Solomon Northrup, Ella Maillart, Freya Stark, Ed Stafford, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Aron Lee Ralston, María Elena Moyano, Gertrude Bell, Isabelle Eberhart, Nellie Bly, Alex Honnold, Nelson Mandela, David Nott, Jules Verne, Neil Armstrong and Scott Kelly.

An illustrated look at two early-twentieth-century explorers whose work took them to deserts and mountain peaks, coinciding with the rise of modern photography along the way. Vittorio Sella (1859–1943) was the foremost mountaineering photographer of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, producing widely celebrated images of K2 and other famed peaks. Sir Wilfred Thesiger (1910–2003) was a writer, photographer, and explorer, whose greatest journey took him across the Rub’ al Khali, a vast desert encompassing much of the Arabian Peninsula. In his new book, Roger Härtl considers these two far-flung figures side by side, telling the stories of two influential explorers through their bibliographic and photographic work, and creating a tapestry where exploration, writing, and image-making all conjoin. As Härtl shows in this richly illustrated volume, the triumphs of Sella and Thesiger coincided with the end of a golden age of geographical exploration and with the rise of photography as we know it today.

Levison Wood's most personal story yet, as he shares his most valuable rules to live life by, learned from fifteen years travelling through a hundred countries.

*Levison Wood's documentary series on WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS is available to watch now on Channel 4*This book comes at a critical time. Fifty years ago, Africa was home to just over 1.3 million elephants, but by 1990 the number had halved. Meanwhile in the span of a lifetime, the human population has more than doubled. In Levison Wood's The Last Giants, he explores the rapid decline of one of the world's favourite animals. Filled with stories from his own time spent travelling with elephants in Africa, and documenting their migration in his Channel 4 series, Walking With Elephants, the book is a passionate wake-up call for this endangered species we take for granted. The Last Giants was written to inspire us all to act - to learn more and help save the species from permanent extinction.

The Last Giants satisfies British explorer Levison Wood's lifelong desire to learn more about the majestic African elephant. These giants trek through some of Africa's most magnificent landscapes as they go in search of life-giving waters and pastures. El Nino's droughts and an insatiable ivory trade have cut African elephant numbers by a third in the last decade alone, and if elephants disappear entirely, Africa's entire ecosystem could collapse. But Botswana has become a safe haven, where one-sixth of the world's elephants now reside. Each year their numbers grow and an incredible migration takes place, which Wood witnesses and records. He teams up with local trackers to gain insight into how this iconic species survives, camps out in the wild, meets the people and tribes living on the migration's path, and joins the park rangers whose job it is to protect these land goliaths, equipped with his "good eye for detail and better ear for dialogue" (Wall Street Journal).

The Last Giants explores the rapid decline of one of the world's favourite animals and the measures required to halt their extinction, through Levison Wood's time spent with elephants in Africa.

Following his trek along the length of the Nile River, explorer Levison Wood takes on his greatest challenge yet-navigating the treacherous foothills of the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain range. Praised by Bear Grylls, Levison Wood has been called "the toughest man on TV" (The Times UK). Now, following in the footsteps of the great explorers, Levison recounts the beauty and danger he found along the Silk Road route of Afghanistan, the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, the disputed territories of Kashmir and the earth-quake ravaged lands of Nepal. Over the course of six months, Wood and his trusted guides trek 1,700 gruelling miles across the roof of the world. Packed with action and emotion, Walking the Himalayas is the story of one intrepid man's travels in a world poised on the edge of tremendous change.