Thor heyerdahl was born into an upperclass family in the coastal village of larvik, norway, in 1914. At the same time he studied privately polynesian culture and history, consulting the then worlds largest private collection of books and papers on polynesia. Her original homeport being hamburg, germany, she was used for the next 50 years as a freighter. He was awarded the royal gold medal by the royal geographical society in 1964, and was voted the. He acame notable for his kontiki expedeetion in 1947, in which he sailed 8,000 km 5,000 mi athort the paceefic ocean in a haundbiggit raft frae sooth. October 6, 1914 april 18, 2002 was a norwegian adventurer and ethnographer with a background in zoology, botany and geography. Thor heyerdahl ranks very high on my list of authors. Follow thor heyerdahl and explore their bibliography from s thor heyerdahl author page.
Thors books are not just popular in the united states as they have been published in china, denmark, australia, turkey, vietnam and many other countries around the world. Thor heyerdahls kontiki voyage on the 100th anniversary of thor heyerdahls birth, look back at his historic voyage across the pacific on the primitive raft kontiki. Explore books by thor heyerdahl with our selection at. Ra is the story of heyerdahls voyage from north africa to south america in a 45 ft papyrus boat modelled on those depicted in the pharoahs wall paintings. See all books authored by thor heyerdahl, including kontiki ekspedisjonen, and akuaku. He orchestrated many transoceanic expeditions in primitive boat replicas and contributed several substantial theories to the geographic and scientific communities.
When this biography deals with the single thing heyerdahl is most famous forthe kontiki voyageit merely quotes heyerdahl s own book on the subject. Thor heyerdahl biography childhood, life achievements. The kontiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft across the pacific ocean from south america to the polynesian islands, led by norwegian explorer and writer thor heyerdahl. Thor heyerdahl biography life, family, parents, story. His book are at the top of the list of books that have taken me on great adventures and they are all nonfiction. Thor heyerdahl biography thor heyerdahl biography and list of works thor. In search of our beginnings by thor heyerdahl and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Brad thor has steadily become one of the most popular authors in the united states. The kontiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft across the pacific ocean from south america to the polynesian islands, led by norwegian explorer and the author thor heyerdahl.
The kontiki expedition was a 1947 journey by raft across the pacific ocean from south. He later completed similar achievements with the reed boats ra, ra ii and tigris, through which he championed his deep involvement. He wrote many books on early travel and sea exploration. Apr 18, 2002 thor heyerdahl 19142002 is one of historys most famous explorers. This is an incredibly entertaining and edifying read, quite literally my favorite new book and author. As a young child, heyerdahl showed a strong interest in zoology, inspired by his mother, who had a strong interest in charles darwins theory of evolution. Thors books have become staples on the new york times bestsellers list. If you would like to participate, you can edit the article attached to this page, or visit the project page, where you can join the project andor contribute to the discussion. Discover book depositorys huge selection of thor heyerdahl books online. The raft was named kontiki after the incasun god, viracocha, for whom kontiki was said to be an old name. Thor heyerdahl, norwegian ethnologist and adventurer who organized and led the famous kontiki 1947 and ra 196970 transoceanic scientific expeditions. In 1937, fledgling norwegian zoological researcher thor heyerdahl.
As a young child, thor heyerdahl established a strong interest in zoology. Below is found information regarding the research and writings of thor heyerdahl including a bibliography of scientific and popular works. Thor heyerdahl was a norwegian adventurer and ethnographer with a background in zoology. Thor heyerdahl may be best known to most people for his sea voyages but the story doesnt stop there. Thor heyerdahl wurde in larvik geboren, wo sein aus christiania stammender vater eine brauerei betrieb. Heyerdahl was born in larvik, norway, the son of master brewer thor heyerdahl 18691957 and his wife, alison lyng 18731965. He acame notable for his kontiki expedeetion in 1947, in which he sailed 8,000 km 5,000 mi athort the paceefic ocean in a haundbiggit raft frae sooth americae tae the tuamotu islands. Apr 19, 2002 the norwegian explorer thor heyerdahl, who died last night at the age of 87, sailed into history in 1947 when he crossed the pacific from peru to polynesia on a balsa wood raft. He was married to jacqueline beer, yvonne dedekamsimonsen and liv coucherontorp. Both expeditions were intended to prove the possibility of ancient transoceanic contacts between distant civilizations and cultures. Kon tiki across the pacific by raft thor heyerdahl. Discover book depositorys huge selection of archaeologist thor heyerdahl books online. He studied zoology and geography at oslo university. Thor heyerdahl books biography and list of works author of the.
Thor heyerdahl and the kontiki voyage great 20th century expeditions by philip steele not in english common knowledge. Kontiki is also the name of heyerdahls book, the academy awardwinning documentary film chronicling his adventures. It was not until 1986 that he returned to easter island, this time with a czech engineer and archeologists from the. This was his first expedition to be captured on film, and was later awarded academy award for best documentary in 1951. Thor heyerdahl books list of books by author thor heyerdahl. Thor heyerdahl, born october 6, 1914, larvik, norwaydied april 18, 2002, colla micheri, italy, norwegian ethnologist and adventurer who organized and led the famous kontiki 1947 and ra 196970 transoceanic scientific expeditions. Thor heyerdahl oppdageren by snorre evensberget not in english common knowledge. Arne skjolsvold from norway, gonzalo figueroa from chile, and edwin n. Heyerdahl books published in azerbaijani in later years, 88 exhibition in baku. Apr 18, 2002 thor heyerdahl was born into an upperclass family in the coastal village of larvik, norway, in 1914. His 1947 kontiki expedition proved that the incas were capable of sailing across the pacific. It was heyerdahls first voyage on an improbable craft over a challenging and dubious route.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. He received the order of merit or similar decorations from peru, italy, egypt, morocco, bulgaria, norway and sweden. The norwegian explorer thor heyerdahl, who died last night at the age of 87, sailed into history in 1947 when he crossed the pacific from peru to polynesia on a balsa wood raft. Thor heyerdahl, who died in april at the age of 87, spent much of an active and sometimes inspiring life in the thrall of one good story. Thor heyerdahl is the author of books such as the ra expeditions. Buy the kontiki expedition 1st by thor heyerdahl isbn. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Books by thor heyerdahl thor heyerdahl average rating 4. He later completed similar achievements with the reed boats ra, ra ii and tigris, through which he championed his deep. The hardcover is vg with slight to light wear at the spine ends, and a few page corners bent toward the back.
Across the seas of time taking part books by paul westman not in english common knowledge. Most sincere, thor heyerdahl, italy, 14th may, 1980. He was a director and writer, known for akuaku 1960, galapagos 1955 and kontiki 1950. There, after recounting the testimonies of those before him, heyerdahl dramatically tells his story of how he believes the monolithic statues were put into place. Thor heyerdahl is currently considered a single author. Thor heyerdahl the kontiki man, 2012, 90 bikers on the track of odin and heyerdahl, 20, 92. Thor heyerdahl 19142002 is one of historys most famous explorers. C this article has been rated as cclass on the projects quality scale. Kon tiki by thor heyerdahl, first edition abebooks. Heyerdahl is notable for his kontiki expedition in 1947, in which he sailed 8,000 km 5,000 mi across the pacific ocean in a handbuilt raft from south america to the tuamotu islands. In his later years, heyerdahl excavated pyramids in peru and the canary islands. He was also the author of the book of the expedition and the narrator of the story. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. My mother, liv coucheron torp, was married to thor heyerdahl, the norwegian scientist and explorer whose kontiki expedition in 1947 became one of the great enduring adventure stories of all time.
Thor heyerdahl books list of books by thor heyerdahl. The secret of easter island, was published in english in 1958. October 6, 1914 aprile 18, 2002 wis a norse adventurer an ethnografer wi a backgrund in zoology, botany, an geografie. Thor heyerdahls book about his experience became a bestseller. He believed that, long before columbus, early ocean. He created a small museum in his childhood home, with a vipera berus as the main attraction. Thor heyerdahl was born on october 6, 1914 in larvik, norway. Thor heyerdahl was one of the twentiethcenturys most famous adventurers and he recreated many ocean voyages made by ships based on ancient designs. Eventually sailing unter the flag of panama as minnow and then.
The voyage, called the tangaroa expedition, was intended as a tribute to thor heyerdahl, as well as a means to monitor the pacific oceans environment. Thor heyerdahl set out on a new expedition in 1955, this time to easter island. Thor heyerdahl primary author only author division. Thor heyerdahl really does solve the mystery as far as i can tell, linking ancient easter island culture to very similar cultures in s. Thor heyerdahl was a pioneer in the field of experimental archaeology. Heyerdahl recounted the epic voyage in the bestselling 1950 book. Thor heyerdahl norwegian explorer, anthropologist and author. He died on april 18, 2002 in colla micheri, liguria, italy. The raft was named kontiki after the inca god viracocha, for whom kontiki was said to be an old name. Thor heyerdahl, signed abebooks shop for books, art. Books by thor heyerdahl author of kontiki goodreads. In 1947 he crossed the pacific ocean on the balsawood raft kontiki. Three of the six crew members from the 1947 adventure were still alive in 1990 when the book was published. The book describes the 19551956 norwegian archaeological expeditions investigations of polynesian history and culture at easter island, the austral islands of rapa iti and raivavae, and the marquesas islands of nuku hiva and hiva oa.
Thor heyerdahl has 40 books on goodreads with 50217 ratings. By raft across the south seas has been translated into 70 languages. Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. Thor heyerdahl s grandson, olav heyerdahl, retraced his grandfathers kontiki voyage in 2006, as part of a sixmember crew. It was heyerdahl s first voyage on an improbable craft over a challenging and dubious route. This article is part of wikiproject norway, an attempt to better organize information in articles related to norway. Thor heyerdahl was a norwegian explorer, adventurer, and ethnologist. As with heyerdahls book about the voyage of kontiki, this book was also a best seller. On the 100th anniversary of thor heyerdahls birth, look back at his. Kontiki had a sixman crew, all of whom were norwegian except for bengt danielsson, a swede thor heyerdahl 19142002 was the expedition leader. Thor heyerdahls kontiki voyage on the 100th anniversary of thor heyerdahl s birth, look back at his historic voyage across the pacific on the primitive raft kontiki. His father, thor, was president of a brewery and a mineral water plant, and his mother, alison lyng heyerdahl, was chairman of the larvik museum. In 1986, thor heyerdahl returned to easter island to begin excavating.
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