Ep. 546: The History of Adventure

Published: 2024-04-29 09:00:00

Description Show ▼

Steven Rinella talks with Peter Stark, Ryan Callaghan, Brody Henderson, Randall Williams, Phil Taylor, and Corinne Schneider.

Topics discussed: Being an adventurer and then an adventure historian; Peter's many books; the beaver in the tile work of Astor Place; how young Washington was a screw up; how exasperated Steve gets listening to Attenborough, God bless him; dinosaurs in the snow; land back scenarios; mapping out old water ways; checking out narwhals with Inuit hunters; how far north can you go?; different ways to die; box jellies and black mambas; the lost Pacific Empire of Astor and Jefferson; young Washington; Tecumseh; and more.

Outro song by Jacob Perleoni

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Referenced Books

Last Breath

by Peter Stark

Peter Stark's first book about various ways to die in the wilderness, featuring physiological explorations of death scenarios. Later discussed in detail around 01:12:48 where he explains it contains 'eleven Great Ways to Die in the Wilderness.'

Referenced at 01:01:03

Astoria: John Jacob Astor and Thomas Jefferson's Lost Pacific Empire

by Peter Stark

Peter Stark's book about John Jacob Astor and the beaver trade/fur trade. Described as being about 'America's first homegrown millionaire.' Full title revealed at timestamp 49:36.

Referenced at 02:03

Young Washington: How Wilderness and War Forged the Founding Father

by Peter Stark

Peter Stark's book about George Washington's early years, focusing on his wilderness experience as an explorer. The book examines Washington's mistakes and experiences in his twenties. Full title revealed at timestamp 52:22.

Referenced at 03:24

Last Empty Places

by Peter Stark

Peter Stark's book profiling four unpopulated areas of the United States, which he calls 'blank spots.' This book led to his other historical works as he encountered the young George Washington while researching western Pennsylvania.

Referenced at 45:04

Gallop toward the Sun: Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison's Struggle for the Destiny of a Nation

by Peter Stark

Peter Stark's newest book about the conflict between Tecumseh, the Shawnee war leader, and William Henry Harrison, examining their struggle over the future of the American frontier.

Referenced at 03:03

Arctic Dreams

by Barry Lopez

Steve mentions wanting to have Barry Lopez on the show before he died. He references a story from Arctic Dreams about a botanist working on a tussock and cataloging plant species, then standing up to see the enormity of the Arctic landscape.

Referenced at 01:11:01