We asked Zegrahm leaders (and bona fide bookworms) Kevin Clement, Shirley Campbell, and Lynne Greig to give us a few of the books they would recommend reading in advance of a few of our upcoming journeys; here are their picks.

CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SUMATRA – Kevin Clement

The Malay Archipelago, Alfred Russell Wallace: A classic in the genres of biological investigation, travel adventure, and the history of science, simultaneously.

Krakatoa: the Day the Earth Exploded, Simon Winchester: The great British travel author provides a very complete story of the events surrounding, preceding, and following the famous eruption.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, YAP & PALAU – Kevin Clement

Where the Spirits Dwell, Tobias Schneebaum: Fascinating exploration of perhaps the strangest surviving culture on earth, by a man who knew it intimately.

Throwim Way Leg, Tim Flannery: Intriguing and amusing, a modern classic by an author who is equal parts expert zoologist and engaging raconteur.

The Ghost Mountain Boys, James Campbell: The grueling, almost-forgotten WWII campaign to wrest New Guinea from the grip of Japanese forces makes a compelling story.

BEST OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST – Kevin Clement

The Cruise of the Corwin, John Muir: Perhaps the greatest conservationist and among the greatest writers America has produced, cruising in the Bering Sea and along the Siberian coast.

Tent Life in Siberia, George Kennan: Kennan’s mission to survey a route for a trans-Pacific transcontinental telegraph route becomes a grippingly strange tale of adventure.

INDIA & THE MALDIVES – Shirley Campbell

White Mughals: Love and Betrayal in Eighteenth Century India, William Dalrymple: Romantic and tragic tale of a passionate love affair that crossed and transcended all the cultural, religious, and political boundaries of its time.

Maldives (Cultures of the World), Roseline Ngcheong-Lum: Easy and accessible information about various cultures

THE KIMBERLEY – Shirley Campbell

DreamKeepers: A Spirit-Journey into Aboriginal Australia, Harvey Arden: A great combination of travel and story-telling.

TRACING THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA – Lynne Greig

French Lessons in Africa, Peter Biddlecombe: Explains the whole area we visit and how the French have influenced it; it's funny and informative at the same time.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah: Very poignant because we actually visit an amputee school and watch a soccer game on the trip.

Roots, Alex Haley: We visit the village of the main character in the book; you can get the video series also.

BAY OF BENGAL & THE ANDAMAN SEA – Lynne Greig & Shirley Campbell

Shantaram: A Novel, Gregory David Roberts: Everyone LOVES this book.

Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure, Sarah Macdonald: Very informative as far as seeing the country from a foreigner’s point of view, plus funny as can be.

A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry: One of my favorites from an Indian author.

A Traveller's History of South East Asia, Nicholas White: Concise introduction to the histories of the modern states of Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and East Timor, providing an essential guide for both tourists and the general reader