A long while ago, I wrote The Explorers. I sold the idea as a new take on the Burton-Speke expedition to find the source of the Nile. But the Killing series took off after the contract was signed. What was supposed to be one book is now up to thirteen. So in the interests of keeping things fresh (and fulfilling my contract), I spun the Burton-Speke drama into something entirely different.
I had long been fascinated by the commonalities of all great explorers. Many, for instance (Cook, Columbus), were just turning forty when they embarked on their first great expedition. I noted that there were obvious streaks of independence and perseverance. And, of course, they were introverts. For a guy like me, who craves solitude and revels in being alone, that was more than enough reason to dig deeper.
What I came across were seven traits common to not just all great explorers, but any endeavour (sneaking in a Captain Cook reference here): curiosity, hope, passion, independence, courage, self-mastery, and perseverance. It turns out there is something called the "drive theory of motivation" which explains all this. So I wrote The Explorers using the Burton-Speke expedition as the narrative tent pole. Each section also wove in the seven traits, explaining the reasons why we are curious, to select one trait. Lots of stuff about our mental and physical motivations for why we are curious and what it really means to be curious. Each trait got the same treatment, even as I unspooled the fatal journey to the Nile. It is not a self-help book, though it may sound that way, merely an explanation of why people do crazy shit.
The Explorers did not sell as well as I had hoped.
The Killing series has now sold more than 20 million copies. My own Taking series is also finding a large audience. Into Africa, my previous book on African exploration, continues to sell well twenty years after publication. But based on the weekly sales link I receive from my publisher, I can tell you that The Explorers has sold exactly 904 copies since its on sale date ten years ago. A little embarrassing. Not the book I mention when people ask my favorite work.
But while preparing for a speech I was asked to give this past weekend at a resort development outside Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, I reread The Explorers. The point was plugging those seven traits into the talk. Not only was I surprised that the book is nothing to be embarrassed about, but it is actually a great read.
Yes, in answer to your question, buy your copy today. Buy twenty. It's inspirational. Hand them out at work.
There's a caveat: I'm adding an eighth trait.
From beginning to end, a great achievement follows the seven traits in order: curiosity, hope, passion, courage, independence, self-mastery, and perseverance. They build upon one another.
But what I realized while writing my speech is that achievement is not enough. Shocker. Too many explorers got hooked on the process then never got to enjoy the fruits of their effort. Many kept going out again and again, jonesing for that achievement hit, a great many dying in the process: Speke, Livingstone, Shackleton, Columbus.
So the eighth trait is companionship.
The best explorer is the one who lives long enough to share their success — and dies in their own bed in their own time. Hillary, Bannister, Humboldt. Lives long enough to establish a new legacy of a healthy and happy life without the need to prove themselves over and over again. And since companionship is considered one of the primary sources of longevity, I'm adding it to my list.
I know that sounds self-helpish.
I also know that when I brought up companionship during my speech on Thursday, I was shocked to see more than one couple in that room packed full of achievers elbow each other and nod in recognition. So it's a thing.
I'm glad I wrote The Explorers. The seven commonalities were something that intrigued me for years. I would have regretted not writing it. I'm relieved that the book holds up (nothing worse than reading an old piece and being appalled at the word choices, structure, and punctuation), and the writing is crisp and well-ordered.
Yet how is it that, only now, after years of proclaiming myself to be a romantic, am I realizing the reward of exploration is sitting still with the one I love?