At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State -- and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little...

Henry David Thoreau had a very close relationship with his older brother, John. Sadly, after cutting himself while shaving, John developed lockjaw, and died tragically in 1842. Thoreau, who was only 25 at the time, was deeply affected by the loss of his brother. During his two year stay in his cabin on the shore of Walden Pond, he wrote an account of a two week boat trip he took with John in August of 1839. The brothers built a boat and began their...

"Legendary travel writer Paul Theroux fearlessly drives the entire length of the US-Mexico border, then goes deep into the hinterland, on the back roads of Chiapas and Oaxaca, to uncover the rich, layered world behind today's brutal headlines."--Provided by publisher.

The inspiration for The Durrells in Corfu, a Masterpiece production on public television: A naturalist’s account of his childhood on the exotic Greek island.
 
When the Durrells could no longer endure the gray English climate, they did what any sensible family would do: sold their house and relocated to the sun-soaked island of Corfu.
 
As they settled into their new home, hilarious mishaps ensued...

This program aims to show the diversity of natural and cultural landscapes that are characteristic of Australia, with contrasts between the vast uninhabited desert areas and the urban areas. Australia is a nation of city dwellers with a multicultural population that lives in relative harmony. The lifestyles and features of the people and their aspirations into the new century are highlighted. The program looks at places of interest in different states...

Travel writer Bill Bryson chronicles the experiences he had and profiles the people and wildlife he encountered while traveling through Australia.

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a fascinating case study of a large city in the developing world. With around 10 million people as the city enters the 21st century, this is a mega city with a mix of traditional and Western land uses. The program covers the main activities and problems. Despite the difficulties, the Thai residents go about their daily lives with a minimum stress, which reflects on their culture. A visit to some major tourist attractions...

"A revelatory memoir of the author's efforts to develop the strength and resilience to survive in the demanding landscapes of Norway and Alaska describes her physically exhausting survival endeavors on a ruthless arctic tundra marked by violent natural and human threats."--NoveList. By the time she was nineteen, she had left her home in California, moved to Norway to learn how to drive sled dogs, and worked as a tour guide on a glacier in Alaska....

Kangaroo Island (KI), South Australia, is Australia's third-largest island. A popular tourist destination, KI has many ecotourism attractions. The program follows a group of Geographers and others discovering landscapes, landforms, animals and their habitats, communities and heritage. An aim is to show the major attractions and how good management leads to protection of natural and cultural environments and sustainable tourism. Content includes:...