Kon Tiki

This classic by Thor Heyerdahl tells the remarkable true story of Heyerdahl and his small five-man crew that sailed from South America to the Polynesians in 1947. The remarkable thing about this voyage is that it was completed on a nine-log raft with no modern conveniences used to construct or sail. Heyerdahl was trying to prove that Polynesians may have originated in South America and then sailed 4,300 miles across the Pacific Ocean to settle hundreds or thousands of years ago. He was intrigued by Polynesian folklore about a mythical hero named Kon-Tiki who came from distant lands to start a civilization and decided to prove his theory that ancient people easily could have sailed across oceans to migrate. The three months the crew spent in the open water is full of exploration, storms, whales, sharks, and more. This exciting story is so full of daring, courage, and adventure that it's almost hard to believe it's a true story. A 48-page readers' supplement is included in the middle of the book that gives an ultra-condensed version of the story and includes black and white photographs from the actual voyage. A fascinating book and great library builder. 240 pgs, pb. ~ Rachel