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Biographies & Memoirs

Explore the stories of remarkable lives in our Biographies & Memoirs section at Thryft. Discover firsthand accounts of influential figures and captivating memoirs that'll inspire and educate. Our collection is carefully curated to ensure you find the perfect narrative to delve into.

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Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, Including 10 More Years of Business Unusual
Naomi Klein, Yvon Chouinard

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, Including 10 More Years of Business Unusual

$13.90 from $10.90 Save up to 22%

Imagine reading the story of a man who flipped conventional business wisdom on its head to make environmental responsibility and adventure the cornerstones of a global brand. That's exactly what you'll find in Yvon Chouinard's book. It's not just about business; it's about a life lived with integrity and the belief that doing good should be part of our daily work. If you're fascinated by the intersection of entrepreneurship, the great outdoors, and sustainable practices, this memoir will resonate with you.

$13.90 from $10.90 Save up to 22%

In stock

The Elephants of Thula Thula: Finding peace and happiness with the herd - Thryft
Françoise Malby-Anthony

The Elephants of Thula Thula: Finding peace and happiness with the herd

$10.90 from $4.90 Save up to 55%

If elephants could find a nestled place in your heart, "The Elephants of Thula Thula" will validate that loving grip. Through Françoise Malby-Anthony's eyes, you'll experience the triumphs and trails of life amidst a stunning South African backdrop. Her emotional tale weaves a tale of conservation while giving a voice to the joys and struggles of maintaining a wildlife reserve. This isn't just a book; it's an invitation to stand beside an unyielding spirit determined to safeguard these majestic creatures and their habitat, all against implausible odds.

$10.90 from $4.90 Save up to 55%

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The Elephants of Thula Thula: Finding peace and happiness with the herd - Thryft
Françoise Malby-Anthony

The Elephants of Thula Thula: Finding peace and happiness with the herd

$7.90 from $3.90 Save up to 56%

Imagine engaging with the sheer emotional depth of a real-life journey centered on the protection of majestic elephants. This book isn't just a story; it's an entry into Françoise Malby-Anthony’s life filled with passion and determination, where each page unfolds the challenges and triumphs of conservation. It's a heartfelt narrative that weaves the profound lessons learned from these sentient beings into a tapestry of optimism and struggle, perfect for anyone who treasures wildlife and the tales of those who fight to protect it.

$7.90 from $3.90 Save up to 56%

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High Tide in Tucson: Essays Fr - Thryft
Barbara Kingsolver

High Tide in Tucson: Essays Fr

$8.90 from $4.90 Save up to 46%

If the intricacies and musings on life's relentless ebb and flow captivate you, Kingsolver's "High Tide in Tucson" will resonate. Her prose is evocative, weaving personal anecdotes with broader existential observations. This collection invites introspection and offers a comforting sense that, in the grand scheme, we're all riding the same high tide.

$8.90 from $4.90 Save up to 46%

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Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge - Thryft
Jill Fredston

Rowing to Latitude: Journeys Along the Arctic's Edge

$10.90 from $6.90 Save up to 39%

Imagine gliding through icy waters, the silent Arctic expanse around you. Jill Fredston does more than evoke this image; she lived it, rowing thousands of miles alongside her husband. Her narrative isn't just about the physical journey; it's a tapestry of wilderness, self-discovery, and a profound connection with nature. If the call of the wild—tempered with introspection and marital dynamics—resonates with you, then "Rowing to Latitude" could be a book you'll find hard to put down.

$10.90 from $6.90 Save up to 39%

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Young Men & Fire - Thryft
Norman Maclean

Young Men & Fire

$8.90 from $5.90 Save up to 34%

"Young Men & Fire" is a poignant exploration of the Mann Gulch tragedy that goes beyond the mere recounting of events. Norman Maclean masterfully weaves a narrative that is as much about the psychology of the men involved as it is about the terrifying force of nature they faced. His quest for understanding lends a raw authenticity to the story, making it a gripping read for anyone drawn to true-life adventures, tales of heroism, or the complex dance between humankind and the natural world.

$8.90 from $5.90 Save up to 34%

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Where I Lived, and What I Lived For - Thryft
Henry David Thoreau

Where I Lived, and What I Lived For

from $4.42

Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are. Thoreau's account of his solitary and self-sufficient home in the New England woods remains an inspiration to the environmental movement - a call to his fellow men to abandon their striving, materialistic existences of 'quiet desperation' for a simple life within their means, finding spiritual truth through awareness of the sheer beauty of their surroundings.

from $4.42

Out of stock

This One Wild And Precious Life - The Path Back To Connection In A Fractured World - Thryft
Sarah Wilson

This One Wild And Precious Life - The Path Back To Connection In A Fractured World

from $3.88

As seen in USA Today 's hottest releases and The  Washington Post 's 10 New Books Spotlight “Sarah Wilson is a force of nature – quite literally. She has taken her pain and grief about our sick and troubled world and alchemized it into action, advocacy, adventure, poetry, and true love.”  —  ELIZABETH GILBERT Wake up and reclaim your one wild and precious life. New York Times  bestselling author Sarah Wilson shows you how in this radical spiritual guidebook, the book we need NOW. Many of us are living with the sense that things are not right with the world and are in a state of spiritual PTSD. We have retreated, morally and psychologically; we are experiencing a crisis of disconnection—from one another, from our true values, from joy, and from life as we feel we are meant to be living it. Sarah Wilson argues that this sense of despair and disconnection is ironically what unites us—that deep down, we are all feeling that same itch for a new way of living. Drawing on science, literature, philosophy and the wisdom of some of the world’s leading experts, and her personal journey, Wilson offers a hopeful path forward to the life we love. En route, she shows us how to wake up and reconnect with life using “wild practices” that include: ·         Hike. Embrace the “walking cure” as great minds throughout history have. ·         Go to your edge. Do what scares you and embrace discomfort daily. ·         #Buylesslivemore. Break the cycle of mindless consumption and get light with your life. ·         Become a soul nerd. Light up your intellect with the arts. ·         Get “full-fat spiritual”. Have an active practice and use it to change the world. ·         Practice wild activism. Through sustained, non-violent protest we can create our better world. The time has come to boldly, wildly imagine better. We are being called upon, individually and as a society, to forge a new path and to find a new way of living. Will you join the journey?

from $3.88

Out of stock

Walden: Or, Life in the Woods - Thryft
Henry David Thoreau

Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

from $6.50

Walden is a classic piece of American literature that captures the beauty and simplicity of nature. Thoreau's observations of the natural world are insightful, and the book inspires readers to live a more deliberate, mindful existence. If you're interested in philosophy, environmentalism, or just seeking solace in the beauty of the natural world, then Walden is definitely worth your consideration.

from $6.50

Out of stock

The Man Who Climbs Trees - Thryft
James Aldred

The Man Who Climbs Trees

from $8.26

Imagine swinging high amongst the leaves, feeling the exhilaration of both danger and discovery—that's the essence of "The Man Who Climbs Trees". James Aldred doesn't just tell stories; he places you among the branches, offering breathtaking views and heart-racing encounters with wildlife. This book is a perfect companion for adventurers and armchair explorers alike, offering an intimate glimpse into the intersection of nature and the human spirit.

from $8.26

Out of stock

The Wander Society - Thryft
Keri Smith

The Wander Society

from $12.27

"The Wander Society" could be a great read for anyone thirsting for adventure and a new perspective on life. This book is a guide to a secretive group of wanderers who promote the act of unplanned exploring. It delves into the origins of the group, introduces some of its fellow wanderers, and provides insights into how wandering can nourish the creative mind. If you are looking for a new way of living, then this book is definitely for you!

from $12.27

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The Man Who Climbs Trees - Thryft
James Aldred

The Man Who Climbs Trees

from $6.11

'A book of heart-stopping bravery and endurance' -- Helen Macdonald'A great read – incredible adventures and a dramatic new perspective' -- Chris Packham'[A] delightful, endlessly fascinating book' -- Daily Mail BOOK OF THE WEEKThis is the story of a professional British tree climber, cameraman and adventurer, who has made a career out of travelling the world, filming wildlife for the BBC and climbing trees with people like David Attenborough, Chris Packham and Helen Macdonald.James's climbs take him to breathtaking locations as he scales the most incredible and majestic trees on the planet. On the way he meets native tribes, gets attacked by African bees, climbs alongside gorillas, chased by elephants, and spends his nights in a hammock pitched high in the branches with only the stars above him.This book blends incredible stories of scrapes and bruises in the branches with a new way of looking at life high above the daily grind, up into the canopy of the forest.

from $6.11

Out of stock

The Living Mountain : A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland - Thryft
Robert Macfarlane, Nan Shepherd

The Living Mountain : A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland

$7.28 from $5.10 Save up to 30%

Recommendation: The Living Mountain is a must-read for anyone who loves nature and the outdoors. Nan Shepherd's poetic prose captures the essence of the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland - from its rocks and rivers to its creatures and hidden aspects. Her unique perspective of nature as both breathtakingly beautiful and shockingly harsh is both humbling and inspiring. Reading this book will make you appreciate the magnificence of mountains and the wild world around us.

$7.28 from $5.10 Save up to 30%

Out of stock

What Is Life? : Five Great Ideas in Biology - Thryft
Paul Nurse

What Is Life? : Five Great Ideas in Biology

$12.72 from $8.90 Save up to 30%

"What Is Life?" is a great read for anyone who is curious about biology and wants to understand the fundamental concepts that make up life. The book uses personal anecdotes and the history of science to introduce readers to the five great ideas of biology: the Cell, the Gene, Evolution by Natural Selection, Life as Chemistry, and Life as Information. Paul Nurse writes with great passion and brings to life the excitement of scientific discovery, making this book an engaging and enlightening read for both experts and non-experts alike.

$12.72 from $8.90 Save up to 30%

Out of stock

On Trails : An Exploration - Thryft
Robert Moor

On Trails : An Exploration

from $9.70

A strikingly original debut from a tremendous new talent, Rob Moor explores the nature of trails, from hiking the Appalachian trail to the biological phenomenon of how the trails of ants are formed. In the vein of Rebecca Solnit’s Wanderlust: A History of Walking, this book will explore the small and particular, tracing the formation of trails from the most tiny―ants, termites, tent caterpillars; neural pathways, minute fossil trails―to the vastest and most diffuse, including the International Appalachian Trail, what will be the world’s longest footpath, spanning from Alabama to Morocco. Introducing readers to a range of fascinating characters: from a French entomologist named Audrey Dussutour. who studies how ants are capable of externalizing memory, (allowing very simple creatures to make very smart decisions); to an old man in Vermont named Larry Benoit, who has been called America’s best deer hunter, to a renowned trail builder in Tennessee who fashions trails using a motorized dirt bike.As Rob re-evaluates what we think of as simple and ordinary, he is also wedding two popular genres of nonfiction: the long distance hiking memoir (Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods) with the essayistic nature writing (like that of John McPhee).Moor is that he is a great nature writer, but also a mind-bending thinker: “What entrances me about trails―what so many nature writers overlook―is that they are more than physical phenomena; a trail is a model of elegance and a lesson in cooperation. They also provide a conceptual lens that, once goggled to your eye, alters all you survey. You begin to see even the plainest things as linear, ever-optimizing, self-perpetuating.” This deep search for meaning introduces readers to experts who work with trails of all kind, outrageous hiking anecdotes and spectacular descriptions of landscapes and animal behavior. Moor’s book gives an eye-opening tour, leaving us with a much richer, prismatic take on what we constantly take for granted: how we get where we’re going.

from $9.70

Out of stock

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference - Thryft
Greta Thunberg

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference

from $4.11

The history-making, ground-breaking speeches of Greta Thunberg, the young activist who has become the voice of a generation.In August 2018 a fifteen-year-old Swedish girl, Greta Thunberg, decided not to go to school one day. Her actions ended up sparking a global movement for action against the climate crisis, inspiring millions of pupils to go on strike for our planet, forcing governments to listen, and earning her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.This book brings you Greta in her own words, for the first time. Collecting her speeches that have made history across Europe, from the UN to mass street protests, No One Is Too Small to Make A Difference is a rallying cry for why we must all wake up and fight to protect the living planet, no matter how powerless we feel. Our future depends upon it.

from $4.11

Out of stock

This One Wild And Precious Life - The Path Back To Connection In A Fractured World - Thryft
Sarah Wilson

This One Wild And Precious Life - The Path Back To Connection In A Fractured World

from $6.34

This book is a powerful reminder of the importance of human connection in a world that often feels fragmented. Through personal stories and insightful reflections, Sarah Wilson guides readers on a path towards rediscovering meaning and purpose. With a blend of vulnerability and resilience, she invites us to embrace the wild and precious moments of life, helping us find our way back to ourselves and to each other.

from $6.34

Out of stock

My First Summer In The Sierra - Thryft
John Muir

My First Summer In The Sierra

from $4.46

In the summer of 1869, John Muir, a young Scottish immigrant, joined a crew of shepherds in the foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The diary he kept while tending sheep formed the heart of this book and eventually lured thousands of Americans to visit Yosemite country.First published in 1911, My First Summer in the Sierra incorporates the lyrical accounts and sketches he produced during his four-month stay in the Yosemite River Valley and the High Sierra. His record tracks that memorable experience, describing in picturesque terms the majestic vistas, flora and fauna, and other breathtaking natural wonders of the area.Today, Muir is recognized as one of the most important and influential naturalists and nature writers in America. This book, the most popular of the author's works, will delight environmentalists and nature lovers with its exuberant observations.

from $4.46

Out of stock

The Invention of Nature : Alexander Von Humboldt's New World - Thryft
Andrea Wulf

The Invention of Nature : Alexander Von Humboldt's New World

from $20.11

"The Invention of Nature" could be a good read for anyone interested in the history of science and environmentalism. This book presents an in-depth account of Alexander von Humboldt’s life, his expeditions, and his discoveries, highlighting his revolutionary ideas of a complex interconnected global force called nature. The author presents a compelling case of how Humboldt influenced other naturalists and writers, and how his work shaped environmental thinking. The book has won several awards and is highly recommended for those who want to learn about the history of modern environmentalism.

from $20.11

Out of stock

Moortown Diary - Thryft
Ted Hughes

Moortown Diary

from $5.80

Moortown Diary could be a good read for those who appreciate raw and unfiltered poetry that explores the beauty and violence of nature. Ted Hughes's improvised verse journal is urgent and speakable, with a degree of intensity, sanity, and grace that is unlike any other poems. This book will grip your heart and intestines like a vice from the first page, making language as physical as a bruise, while also exploring the creatures behind the language.

from $5.80

Out of stock

Born Free: Lion Rescue : A True Story - Thryft
Sara Starbuck

Born Free: Lion Rescue : A True Story

from $4.04

Every year Born Free helps hundreds of animals around the world. This is the story of one of their incredible rescues . . . Meet Bella, the lioness with a broken heart, and Simba, the captive king of the jungle. And learn how all animals that are born free should live free. Simba was born in a French zoo and was later bought by an animal trainer. For many years he lived in cramped captivity. When Bella was young, she was used as a photographer's prop and then later lived in a run-down zoo in Romania. Because she had been taken from her mother at such a young age and fed a poor diet, she sadly developed a weak spine and back legs. Luckily Born Free could come to the rescue. Now Simba and Bella both live in Malawi where they have become great companions. Join Born Free behind the scenes of one of their real life rescues.

from $4.04

Out of stock

The Solace Of Open Spaces - Thryft
Gretel Ehrlich

The Solace Of Open Spaces

from $3.88

The Solace Of Open Spaces is a poignant collection of essays that chronicles Ehrlich's journey into Wyoming's vast expanse. Her descriptive and captivating writing style takes readers on a journey through the beauty and cruelty of the natural elements that define the American West. This book would be a great read for nature lovers, adventurers, and anyone looking for a thought-provoking exploration of the interplay between our interior lives and the world around us.

from $3.88

Out of stock

Chou Loke Ming - Thryft
Chow Yee Wearn, Rebecca Tan

Chou Loke Ming

from $7.30

Coral reefs are home to so many different kinds of sea creatures that they are known as the rainforests of the seas. Sadly, coral reefs all around the world are dying, but Chou Loke Ming is on a mission to help them recover. Loke Ming went from being a village boy to a coral doctor, and is saving the world one coral at a time.

from $7.30

Out of stock

Arctic Dreams : Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape - Thryft
Barry Lopez

Arctic Dreams : Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape

from $4.69

This book would be great for people who enjoy nature and travel writing. Lopez masterfully intertwines the history, ecology, and human experience of the Arctic landscape. Reading this book is like embarking on a journey to a far-off land, every page as captivating as the last. Lopez's prose is both poetic and informative, making this book a true gem for anyone seeking to learn more about the Arctic and its inhabitants.

from $4.69

Out of stock

The Wild Places - Thryft
Robert Macfarlane

The Wild Places

from $6.51

The Wild Places is both an intellectual and a physical journey, and Macfarlane travels in time as well as space. Guided by monks, questers, scientists, philosophers, poets and artists, both living and dead, he explores our changing ideas of the wild. From the cliffs of Cape Wrath, to the holloways of Dorset, the storm-beaches of Norfolk, the saltmarshes and estuaries of Essex, and the moors of Rannoch and the Pennines, his journeys become the conductors of people and cultures, past and present, who have had intense relationships with these places. Certain birds, animals, trees and objects snow-hares, falcons, beeches, crows, suns, white stones recur, and as it progresses this densely patterned book begins to bind tighter and tighter. At once a wonder voyage, an adventure story, an exercise in visionary cartography, and a work of natural history, it is written in a style and a form as unusual as the places with which it is concerned. It also tells the story of a friendship, and of a loss. It mixes history, memory and landscape in a strange and beautiful evocation of wildness and its vital importance.

from $6.51

Out of stock

Rising from the Plains - Thryft
John McPhee

Rising from the Plains

from $4.42

This book is a great read for anyone interested in geology or curious about the formations and history of the North American continent. McPhee's writing style presents complex geological concepts in an accessible manner, making it a fascinating and informative read. The most unique and distinctive feature of the book is how McPhee weaves together the stories of geologists and their work with the geological history of North America, creating a narrative that is both educational and engaging.

from $4.42

Out of stock

Dive Into Real-Life Stories

Biographies and memoirs offer unparalleled insights into the lives and minds of individuals who've shaped our world. Be it political icons, celebrities, or unsung heroes, Thryft brings you a rich assortment of stories that reveal extraordinary experiences and life lessons. Embark on a journey through time as you explore the personal tales that have influenced history and culture.