Kon-Tiki Mass Market Paperback – May 14, 2013

I first read "Kon-Tiki" when I was a young girl. It has stayed with me my whole life. My long-suffering mother allowed me to paint my room with murals of a huge Kon-Tiki head and imagined Polynesian scenes. Heyerdahl's descriptions of the raft's journey are so vivid, I could recall many of them almost word-for-word.I've long wanted to re-read the book, and gave it to myself as a birthday present. While Heyerdahl's theories of migration are still controversial (though recent DNA evidence may be backing him up more than previously believed), and, very unfortunately, there are undeniably racist elements present in both these theories and his depictions of "brown" people (something I did not realize when young and did not remember), the adventure story still is amazing. I don't at all regret the inspiration it gave and gives to live an adventurous, unafraid life..

I haven't seen the Hollywood movie yet, maybe I will in time but I did watch the original documentary after reading the book and was so glad I waited. It never fails the book is sooooo much better than anything they can put on film, even if it's the actual footage of the event that was written of such as the documentary. For example in the documentary you see them trying to make landfall once across the Pacific and then you see them after they're on land. But in the book? Good gosh I about wet myself turning pages not even wanting to stop long enough to get up and take a leak his account of what they went through is downright riveting. I got this on a whim after hearing Alan Watts refer to it in an old talk and so glad I did. It's a great tale and an easy read, I'm not that fast of a reader and got through it in a few sittings. I highly recommend.

I first read this book decades ago and I still reread it now and then. It makes for a great documentary of the voyage of the Kon-Tiki raft across the Pacific from South America to Polynesia. My only current problem with the book is that some of the descriptions of interactions with the South American and Polynesian residents are severely outdated, and somewhat cringe-worthy in their cultural biases. However, if you understand the times and the limitations of the literature, it is still a description of a great adventure and a good read.

I was not looking for an "adventure on the sea book," but Kon Tiki must have been looking for me! As I was reading, I was figuratively on the raft! I am fond of non-fiction writings/accounts of one's experiences. This gave me everything I like about reading: The story of the experience of the men - from the vehicle in the mountain to collect balsa to the lagoon on the Polynesian island -was told exceptionally well. You cannot put this book down!

I ordered the hardcover copy of this book because I like to see books and hold them in my hands as opposed to e-books. This book is in very good condition, a few blemishes but that is to be expected. I also ordered the paperback version to read so I can keep the hardcover in the best condition possible. No mildew smell. I’m very pleased with the book.

I had never heard of Thor Heyerdahl before and was a bit hesitant as a book about floating on a raft across the pacific sounded like it could be extremely boring. The complete opposite was true. What an amazing (and exciting) story. It's a classic.

Old but still relevant. Displays all of the endurable characteristics we would wish for in ourselves. Fortitude, determination, fearlessness, good humor, honesty, intellectual curiosity , flexibility, nimbleness. And a darn good read!

Amazing people doing and amazing adventure. One of the best adventure stories of all time. I find used copies and give them as gifts all the time. Go with the used copies it lends a little bit of adventure to the read. haha

This is a real adventure which I read as a schoolboy over 50 years ago and again in 2017 when covering the area on a more comfortable cruise . We set off from the same port Callo in Peru and sailed to New Zealand via the beautiful Polynesian Islands of Easter Island ,Tahiti and Bora Bora. . The bravery of these men was brought home , but more importantly for the reader,it is brilliantly written and keeps the reader on the edge. The adventure on a balsa wood raft was a scientific experiment to see if it was was possible that people sailed from South America to the polynesian islands. The men did not have any experience of sailing and were warned of the dangers they would encounter,not to mention the limitation of the craft . They showed what could be achieved and that some of the problems of the construction did not turn out to be so. A great read.

Not the easiest of reads - To be honest, the small format of the copy I received probably compounded that, by physically being hard to read, even with reading glasses (younger, better eyes or people with a bigger format version won't suffer this) - but at times the book does seem to go on a bit.That said, the adventure was remarkable and its here, unembellished (the films broadly follows the book, but is nothing like the same - He barely mentions his wife at all, for example!).Worth a read, just because it really is a momentous adventure in the truest sense. Perhaps it was no coincidence that many of the team were former Resistance fighters, used to living with the real risk of imminent death and, maybe, a little bored with their post war lives...?

Loved this story. It was really easy to read and the story is amazing. Hats off to the guys that were actually at sea for that long. Would recommend it if you want a good read that isn't too heavy.

I read this book many years ago and was captivated by it. I wanted to read it again, forty odd years later just to refresh my memory and I really enjoyed it for the second time.

Superb book. Don't let the romantic cover shot fool you, that's just because this edition has followed the film. Anything but romantic. A great tale of one man's obsession and determination. I have read this book 5 or 6 times and enjoyed it every time.