Although the web provides an unparalleled forum for dynamic content, I believe that it lacks a certain permanence that paper publishing provides. Ironically though, the digital revolution has made it easier and cheaper than ever to publish your own books.
Blurb is an online company that allows people to self-publish their own bookstore-quality books. I have published three books so far with Blurb and have several friends who have also successfully used their service. All of my books are presented below with live previews that allow you to flip through and read the book right in your browser. (Hint: If you hit the View Fullscreen button, it’s much easier to read the text.) I have also included links to Free PDF downloads of each of the books but be warned that the files are quite large. If you have ever considered creating your own book, I highly encourage you to give it a shot–it’s an incredibly rewarding experience!
Chronicles of Antarctica and New Zealand
When I traveled to Antarctica and New Zealand, I made a significant effort to document my adventures which I shared on this website through blog posts, photos, and videos. Although the trip is neatly summarized in its own webpage now, I always wanted my stories and photos to end up in a book of their own. Since it was a grand adventure, I figured it deserved a grand book size and I published it as a large format 13×11″ coffee table sized book with premium paper. I love the result and am always happy to show it off, so be sure to look for it on my bookshelf!
To the Edge of Space
Wyoming Road Trip 2008
In the summer of 2008, I took a road trip through Wyoming that included backpacking and plenty of sightseeing in the national parks. The photos were gorgeous, so I seized the opportunity to create my first Blurb book to showcase the images. The book is a small 7×7″ size that is the most affordable format in the Blurb lineup.
PDF Download (31MB)