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Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic

Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic

I'm thrilled to announce that  Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic.  This is the story of a 1,000-mile solo journey through the remote Canadian North. On that six-week pilgrimage to the Barren Lands of Nunavut after a kidney transplant.  On that journey,  I faced down bears, dodged forest fires, endured storms, and crossed the uninhabited tundra completely on my own.  A single mistake would have meant death and yet I've never felt more alive.

My name is Stephan Kesting, and I'm a firefighter and an adventurer.  I have spent much of my life learning how to perform in high-pressure and high-risk situations.  In this book, I  also share how to be more effective in high-stress situations, hold onto hope in the darkest moments, and overcome any obstacle.

Early Praise for "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic"​

Check out some of the reviews that early readers have shared so far...

"Perseverance has the breakneck pacing of a thriller but in real life. Evocative and beautifully written, this book will satisfy both armchair adventurers and people who are moved to push themselves to superhuman feats."
April HenryNew York Times bestselling author of Girl, Stolen
"I sat down to read Perseverance and didn't stop until I was done. This book is a love letter to Nature, a meditation on the haunting beauty of voluntary solitude, and a thrilling adventure all rolled into one. Can't recommend it enough." 
Daniele BolleliHistorian, author, and the creator of the popular History on Fire podcast
"A fascinating, eloquent account full of wisdom and insight on wilderness travel and life. Kesting's positive, resolute mindset in facing adversity and tackling daunting challenges is a welcome life lesson." 
Adam ShoaltsPh.D. bestselling author of Where the Falcon Flies and Beyond the Trees
Stephen’s incredible account of his journey into Canada’s rugged North embodies the many martial arts principles that lead to success. Train hard, train smart and aspire for perfection through repetition, repetition, repetition but most of all, never give up."
Roman HatashitaJudo Olympian
"Like a whitewater canoe trip, Stephan’s book Perserverence describes physical action so vividly you will feel the urge to itch the mosquito bites. The moments of introspection provide a welcome salve to the physical hardship described.”
Paul MasonAuthor of Thrill of the Paddle
"Equal parts adventure story and introspective journey into deep questions of survival and self-understanding, This is a gripping and propulsive narrative of a solo trip into the wilds of northern Canada. Kesting's thousand-mile trip pulls the reader into an alien landscape that offers both myriad dangers and the hope of excavating the deepest layers of the traveller.”
Patrick Wyman,Author (The Verge, Reformation, Rennaissance and Forty Years that Shook the World) and Podcaster (Tides of History and The Art of Dadliness)
“An epic book about an epic journey! Stephan Kesting records his solo trip through subarctic Canada in vivid and visceral detail. All the trials and tribulations – and what was done to mitigate or overcome them – are laid out in a thoroughly engaging way. The hard-won wisdom and insights to dealing with extreme circumstances will be of value to all readers as they navigate life's difficulties."
Iain Abernethy7th dan karate, and author of Mental Strength
"A thrilling, grim, comical, adventurous, inspirational, instructive confessional. Eminently worth the read!”
Mordecai Finlay,Former Marine, Rabbi at Ohr HaTorah 
"Perseverance by Stephan Kesting is a phenomenal read. Stephan immerses us in a unique world, (one that I will never experience myself) that is both intriguing and inspiring. So many adventures, life lessons, and pure entertainment. And the writing itself is stellar. Thank you Stephan for taking us along. Your readers are better off for it."
Burton RichardsonAuthor of 5 Martial Arts Books, Full Instructor in Bruce Lee's Jun Fan JKD Method
"Insightful and inspiring, Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic is a field manual for navigating past physical and mental boundaries. Kesting’s rigor in drawing insights from adversity is as impressive as the miles he paddled.”
Mike McCastleExtreme Endurance Athlete & Performance Coach
"Kesting’s book serves as a wake-up call of how weak and artificial (which is to say, impoverished and inhuman) an excess of city life has made us. Risk and perseverance are amongst life's most elated testaments to itself. And from this costly venture, we learn to become who we were meant to be all along.”
Robert DrysdaleMultiple Time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, Undefeated MMA Fighter

Pre-order Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic

This book is now available for preorder at all major bookstores and distributors including Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes and Noble, and Indigo.

Grab it now at the links below, and be eligible for the special pre-order bonus described at the bottom of the page.

Order on Amazon
Order on Amazon.com
Order on Barnes and Noble
Order on Barnes and Noble
Order on Indigo.ca
Order on Indigo.ca

Pre-order Bonus

Pre-orders are incredibly important for an author.  They send a message to the bookstores that a book is going to be popular, and in turn, they'll support it more.  Pre-orders make or break a book

If you've ever appreciated my articles, videos, or podcasts, grabbing this book would be a great way to show support and I would be supremely grateful.

Plus I'm willing to bribe you...

If you pre-order the book at the links above then please take a screenshot and send that screenshot to essentialwilderness@gmail.com.

As soon as I get back from my next adventure up north I'll email everyone who pre-ordered and we'll set up a time for big outdoor adventure Q&A.  We can talk expedition planning, solo trips, dealing with bears, gear selection, whatever!

I can't wait to meet you.

Sincerely
Stephan Kesting