Heyerdahl s access to these books as well as kroepeliens friendship with chief tereiieroo would have a major impact on his life and career. Kontiki was the name of a wooden raft used by six scandinavian scientists, led by thor heyerdahl, to make a 101day journey from south america to the polynesian islands. Thor heyerdahl was a norwegian explorer, adventurer, and ethnologist. Actress liv ullmann and explorer thor heyerdahl, hostess and host for the opening and closing ceremonies, alternated in reading the declaration of human rights, ullmann delivering the final line. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. He died on april 18, 2002 in colla micheri, liguria, italy. Thor heyerdahl biography childhood, life achievements. His ideas and findings, which he presented in a series of acclaimed and popular books, he has stubbornly held on to despite the fact that the.
It was heyerdahl s first voyage on an improbable craft over a challenging and dubious route. Andrew mckay, author at life in norway page 3 of 5. Intrigued by the legends of a whiteskinned, redbearded forefather named kontiki, heyerdahl began to ponder the question of the origins of polynesians. Both expeditions were intended to prove the possibility of ancient transoceanic contacts between distant civilizations and cultures. He received the order of merit or similar decorations from peru, italy, egypt, morocco, bulgaria, norway and sweden. His book are at the top of the list of books that have taken me on great adventures and they are all nonfiction. In 1947 he crossed the pacific ocean on the balsawood raft kontiki. Oslo reuters norwegian explorer thor heyerdahl, famed for his epic 101day kontiki voyage, will be honored at a funeral in oslo next week before his ashes are returned to. Asteroid 2473 heyerdahl is named after him, as are hnoms thor heyerdahl, a norwegian nansen class frigate, along with ms thor heyerdahl now renamed ms vana tallinn and thor heyerdahl, a german threemasted sail training vessel originally owned by a participant of the tigris expedition. The raft was named after a legendary sungod, shared by the inca people and the people of the polynesian islands.
Follow thor heyerdahl and explore their bibliography from s thor heyerdahl author page. Thor heyerdahl books list of books by author thor heyerdahl. The first of a lifetime of journeys for thor heyerdahl. Thor heyerdahl october 6, 1914, larvik, norway april 18, 2002, colla micheri, italy was a norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a scientific background in zoology and geography. Heyerdahl himself agreed to the founding of the institute and it aims to promote and continue to develop heyerdahls ideas and principles. He later completed similar achievements with the reed boats ra, ra ii and tigris, through which he championed his deep involvement. Kroepelien subsequently amassed a unique collection of books on polynesia, and years later he bequeathed his polynesia library to the university of oslo. Pal, how aware were you of thor s exploits with kontiki. Thor heyerdahl, norwegian ethnologist and adventurer who organized and led the famous kontiki 1947 and ra 196970 transoceanic scientific expeditions. Thor heyerdahl books list of books by thor heyerdahl. In the footsteps of adam, which is actually his autobiography he leads the reader through his early life, the middle age, and up to the point when the book was written in 2000something. Without medical supplies, they came within inches of losing their lives, but they also found the serenity they were seeking. 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.
He created a small museum in his childhood home, with a vipera berus as the main attraction. Discover book depositorys huge selection of thor heyerdahl books online. The purpose of the expedition was to prove heyerdals theory that the polynesian islands were populated from the eastspecifically perurather than from the west asia. Intrigued by polynesian folklore, biologist thor heyerdahl suspected that the south sea islands had been settled by an ancient race from thousands of miles to the east, led by a mythical hero, kontiki. See all books authored by thor heyerdahl, including kontiki ekspedisjonen, and akuaku. This was his first expedition to be captured on film, and was later awarded academy award for best documentary in 1951. Thor heyerdahl ethnographer and adventurer with a background in zoology and geography. In order to prove his point the balsa raft kontiki was built in peru.
Now a major motion picture, kontiki is the record of thor heyerdahls astonishing threemonth voyage across the pacific. A young heyerdahl spent 1936 with his bride, liv, on fatuhiva in the marquesas islands. In kontiki, thor and five other people build a raft out of reeds and drifted west to prove his. It would have been nice if a woman was on the trip. Thor heyerdahl was convinced they came from the east, from southamerica, using an old legend as evidence. His amazing carrier as both a scientist and an adventurer started with an expedition to the island fatuhiva back in 1937, where heyerdahl and his first. 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. Olav heyerdahl, grandson of thor heyerdahl was one of the six men on the later trip. Thor heyerdahl may be best known to most people for his sea voyages but the story doesnt stop there. Bjerknes on the 100th anniversary of his birth an oct. Thor heyerdahl october larvik, norway april floated a raft 5000 miles in the ocean, didnt know how to swim.
Its the ultimate island fantasy, and like all fantasies the reality turned out grittier and more unpleasant. Born in tokyo december 16, 1939 to norwegian parents, ullmann s father was an engineer, who moved the family initially to canada after the outbreak of ww ii, then briefly to. His father, also called thor, was a brewer, and his mother, alison, was head of the larvik area museums association. He was married to jacqueline beer, yvonne dedekamsimonsen and liv coucherontorp. His life was extremely interesting and he dedicated it to his work, and his thesis. He wrote many books on early travel and sea exploration. Many editions are available from 1950 on, and it currently remains in print. The thor heyerdahl institute was established in 2000. His travels to farout locations, hunting for confirmation to his bold theories, are unique.
Now finally released into uk cinemas, we sat down with pal hagen who plays thor heyerdahl in the film and thor s son, thor heyerdahl junior, for a talk about the real life event and the film itself. Kon tiki by thor heyerdahl abebooks shop for books, art. One of the international screens most recognizable, and revered, faces, liv ullmann first gained fame as the star of swedish auteur ingmar bergmans films of the 1960s. Across the seas of time taking part books by paul westman not in english common knowledge. He orchestrated many transoceanic expeditions in primitive boat replicas and contributed several substantial theories to the geographic and scientific communities. Article 2002042090778729480 no title the new york times. It was both wonderful and terrible for them and set heyetdahl on his future path of discovering the origions of the people of polynesia. He studied zoology and geography at oslo university. Kontiki 1950, the film based on his book and documenting his legendary adventure crossing the pacific in a 40foot balsa raft in 101 days, won an oscar.
Thor heyerdahl october 6, 1914, larvik, norway april 18, 2002, colla micheri, italy was a norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a background in zoology and geography. The tangaroa expedition is a recreation of the kon tiki expedition, which happened 60 years earlier. 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. 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.
Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts. Founded in 1997, has become a leading book price comparison site. Thor heyerdahl has to be seen as a standalone explorer and adventurer outside the established research and science. In 1947 despite his fear of water and inability to swim, heyerdahl decides to prove his theory. Thor heyerdahl primary author only author division. The kontiki expedition by thor heyerdahl and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Explore books by thor heyerdahl with our selection at. According to norway the official site in the united states, these are the highlights of norwegian cinema. Heyerdahl was born in larvik, norway, the son of master brewer thor heyerdahl 18691957 and his wife, alison lyng 18731965.
Thor heyerdahl s kontiki voyage posted by andrew mckay february 12, 2019 in history blog the kontiki voyage led by norwegian explorer thor heyerdahl was a huge success and proved beyond doubt that polynesia could have been settled from south america. Thor heyerdahl 19142002 is norways most famous scientist and adventurer throughout all times. October 6, 1914 april 18, 2002 was a norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a background in zoology, botany, and geography. Back to nature by thor heyerdahl no book jacket picture because i wasnt able to find one i first read thor heyerdahl s masterpiece, kontiki as a teenage from my fathers collection and have reread it numerous times over the years and even picked up a copy for my own collection. Thor heyerdahl was one of the twentiethcenturys most famous adventurers and he recreated many ocean voyages made by ships based on ancient designs. A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides firsthand or direct evidence on a topic. He became notable for his kontiki expedition, in which he sailed 8,000 km 5,000 mi across the pacific ocean in a selfbuilt raft from south america to the tuamotu islands in 1947. Norways first movie with sound, the big christening, is released, written by tancred ibsen, grandson of authors henrik ibsen a. As a young child, heyerdahl showed a strong interest in zoology, inspired by his mother, who had a strong interest in.
On christmas day, 2009 and at age 92, knut died, the last member of the kontiki expedition. In 1937, this norwegian ethnologist began laying the groundwork for a series of research expeditions to the pacific, the most important of which, in 1947, involved the kontiki expedition from peru to the islands of polynesia. Across the pacific by raft by thor heyerdahl, 1950. So did the hostess and host, actress liv ullmann and explorer thor heyerdahl, who presided over a program that included acrobats, sky divers, folk fiddlers, hundreds of dancing and singing. 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. Heyerdahl and his wife liv spent about a year living back to nature on the island of fatuhiva in the marqueseas islands. He is a great adventurer, i dont think i could ever do what he did thor describes his surroundings in such great detail it really brings everything to life. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Fatuhiva chronicles his journey to a remote island in the marquesas in 1938. Thor heyerdahl was born on october 6, 1914 in larvik, norway.
As a young child, thor heyerdahl established a strong interest in zoology. Thor heyerdahl ranks very high on my list of authors. His 1947 kontiki expedition proved that the incas were capable of sailing across the pacific. He believed that, long before columbus, early ocean.
Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. 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. 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. October 6, 1914 april 18, 2002 was a norwegian adventurer and ethnographer with a background in zoology, botany and geography. Norwegian explorer thor heyerdahl 19142002 and his wife liv spent more than a year there in 193738, aiming to live simply with none of the trappings of modern civilisation. Heyerdahl became notable for his kontiki expedition, in which he sailed 4,300 miles 8,000 km by raft from south america to the tuamotu islands. That tale, published in 1950, came to the big screen first as a documentary and is now an oscarnominated drama scheduled to open here on friday. Kontiki is the record of an astonishing adventurea journey of 4,300 nautical miles across the pacific ocean by raft. Their only modern equipment is a radio, and they must navigate using. Heyerdahl, 11 books thor heyerdahl, 4 books arnold jacoby, 3 books erik hesselberg, 2 books roar skolmen, 1 book genrikh iosifovich anokhin, 1 book wyatt blassingame, 1 book paul westman, 1 book dolores engel, 1 book john malam, 1 book philip steele, 1 book julian may, 1 book snorre evensberget, 1 book lisa norby, 1 book pavel pavel, 1.
Fatuhiva is a remote mountainous island in the marquesas, in the pacific ocean. 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 teneriffa, thor heyerdahl norwegian. Thor heyerdahl is currently considered a single author. Thor heyerdahl was born on 6 october 1914 in larvik a small coastal city south of oslo, where he also grew up. Nov 28, 2001 thor heyerdahl is a very influential explorer. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. The kon tiki expedition a most merry and illustrated. The eye of the cyclone brief biography posted by the american association for the advancement of science on nov. Home and history heyerdahl was a frequent visitor to norway, where the kontiki museum in oslo maintained an apartment for his use. In my experience, it is rarer to find a really happy person in a circle of millionaires than among vagabonds. Thor heyerdahl october 6, 1914 april 18, 2002 was a norwegian ethnographer and adventurer with a background in biology, zoology, botany, and geography.
Thor heyerdahl and the kontiki voyage great 20th century expeditions by philip steele not in english common knowledge. He and five companions set sail from peru on a balsawood raft built from an ancient design. Green was the earth on the seventh day by heyerdahl, thor and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. All his legendary expeditions are shown in the kontiki museum, oslo. Thor heyerdahl was born in larvik, the son of master brewer thor heyerdahl and his wife alison lyng. He was a director and writer, known for akuaku 1960, galapagos 1955 and kontiki 1950. Thor and his wife go to fatu hiva to understand what life is like without all the technologies civilisation brings. 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. He became 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. Kontiki interview with pal hagen and thor heyerdahl junior.
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. Hagen came to prominence playing explorer thor heyerdahl in the 2012 film kontiki, based on heyerdahl s book. Thor heyerdahl s grandson, olav heyerdahl, retraced his grandfathers kontiki voyage in 2006, as part of a sixmember crew. Thor heyerdahl oppdageren by snorre evensberget not in english common knowledge.
Books kontiki across the pacific by raft, thor heyerdahl, f. While living on the polynesian island of fatu hiva, thor heyerdahl heard tales of polynesian lore. Though heyerdahl biographer ragnar kvam jr has written of how their relationship came under strain during and after the war years, when they were apart for long periods, her work played a major role in the runup to the kontiki expedition and heyerdahl s legendary book about it afterwards. Apr 18, 2002 thor heyerdahl 19142002 is one of historys most famous explorers.
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