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The Impossible First
The Impossible First: From Fire to Ice—Crossing Antarctica Alone | Colin O'Brady
4 posts | 6 read | 1 to read
Colin O’Brady’s awe-inspiring memoir spans his triumphant recovery from a tragic accident to his gripping 932-mile solo crossing of Antarctica. Prior to December 2018, no individual had ever crossed the landmass of Antarctica alone, without support and completely human powered. Yet, Colin O’Brady was determined to do just that, even if, ten years earlier, there was doubt that he’d ever walk again normally. From the depths of a tragic accident, he fought his way back. In a quest to unlock his potential and discover what was possible, he went on to set three mountaineering world records before turning to this historic Antarctic challenge. O’Brady’s pursuit of a goal that had eluded many others was made even more intense by a head-to-head battle that emerged with British polar explorer Captain Louis Rudd—also striving to be “the first.” Enduring Antarctica’s sub-zero temperatures and pulling a sled that initially weighed 375 pounds—in complete isolation and through a succession of whiteouts, storms, and a series of near disasters—O’Brady persevered. Alone with his thoughts for nearly two months in the vastness of the frozen continent—gripped by fear and doubt—he reflected on his past, seeking courage and inspiration in the relationships and experiences that had shaped his life. Honest, deeply moving, filled with moments of vulnerability—and set against the backdrop of some of the most extreme environments on earth, from Mt. Everest to Antarctica—The Impossible First reveals how anyone can reject limits, overcome immense obstacles, and discover what matters most.
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review
stevesbookstuf1
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Mehso-so

Inspiring story by endurance athlete Colin O'Brady. In 2018 he was heralded as the first person to complete a solo, unsupported, unassisted crossing of Antarctica, which the book is about.

Rated So-So because it's a great read, but there is controversy whether the “unassisted“ claim is warranted. Others Antarctic adventurers have been very critical of him.

Full review, if interested, is here: https://tinyurl.com/yd9c4kvv

review
Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

This book was pretty good. Not the best I‘ve read, but enjoyable. It wasn‘t until I was done that I learned that the author‘s claim of crossing the Antarctic solo unassisted was disputed. Either way it‘s an amazing feat considering how much trouble I had walking around the block today in the cold!

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Mrgoudabook
Pickpick

What a fun book! I listened to this book while on my runs and it was such a motivator. First person to cross Antarctica unassisted and unsupported and listening to that journey while trying to workout made what I was doing seem like I couldn‘t complain lol. The book follows much more than just his journey through Antarctica with many other physical and emotional challenges.

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amyrohn
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Pickpick

This one was pretty good! O‘Brady‘s story of being the first to cross Antarctica unassisted was fascinating, and I felt like I learned a lot. His story was interspersed with anecdotes from his life to beef up the page count. At times it was a little cheesy, and some parts were TMI, but overall I enjoyed it, and it was very inspirational. 3.5 stars.