Top 5 books about adventure, as chosen by Ben Fogle

The Worst Journey in the World

By Apsley Cherry-Garrard

In my opinion the greatest adventure book ever written. A side story to the main event of walking to the South Pole, it makes my hairs stand on end. The second time I visited Antarctica we flew to the cape where the fated Scott expedition sought refuge. It was a wretched place.

Tracks

By Robyn Davidson

This is beautiful. It reduced me to tears but it is such a beautiful story of one woman’s determination and drive. She spent years working with her camels before setting out across Australia. It inspired me to take on the Empty Quarter.

Kon-tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft

By Thor Heyerdahl

One of the greatest modern adventure books. It was an incredible adventure to set off on that raft into the Pacific Ocean. He was one of the last of the true adventurers.

The Ascent of Rum Doodle

By WE Bowman

One of the best adventure satires ever written about the ascent of a fictional mountain. It had me doubled over with tears of laughter. I took it to Everest.

When I Fell From the Sky

By Juliane Koepcke

The incredible story of Juliane who fell from an airplane when it broke up over Peru. She landed in the canopy of the jungle where she survived alone for weeks. Incredible. Horrifying and inspiring.

Up: My Life’s Journey to the Top of Everest, by Ben Fogle and Marina Fogle, is out now
(William Collins, £20)