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Living the Best Day Ever Kindle Edition

by Hendri Coetzee (Author), Kara Blackmore (Editor), Pete Meredith (Foreword) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 183 ratings
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“He preferred to assume that plenty was still unknown, and to accept that fear was the price you paid for paddling into Nature’s secrets.”
The Economist, Obituary, December 29, 2010

This is a true story of the greatest African explorer you have never heard of. Equipped with a core philosophy and a lot of luck, Hendri Coetzee embarks on a series of increasingly outrageous adventures in search of what he calls the best day ever. Through a series of harrowing and often hilarious experiences, he is subjected to grueling challenges in the most unique and compelling classroom on earth: the rivers and jungles of Africa.

Recognised for his unique approach to extreme adventures, Johannes Hendrik (Hendri) Coetzee was a true African explorer; a modern day incarnation of the nineteenth century mould of Livingston, Stanley, Baker, Burton and Speke. A South African, born in 1975, he ventured into the depths of Africa evoking the legacy of his predecessors when he jokingly referred to himself as a ‘Great White Explorer’. Coetzee spent more than a decade risking his life on the riverine veins that pulse thorough the heart of Africa, only to discover an intangible way to feel most alive.
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  1. Print length
    415 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    April 8, 2014
  5. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  6. File size
    8445 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JKU58RQ
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 8, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8445 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 415 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 183 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
183 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

librarianextraordinaire
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeded all Expectations
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2014
Verified Purchase
I have been wanting to read this book for a while, and when it became available in a kindle format, I jumped on it. Having said that, I didn't have high expectations for this book. I just didn't think a professional kayaker would be a good writer, and I am extremely picking about books in general. I have to say, this book exceeded all of my expectations. I knew the author would have lots of fascinating content (And he does! There are even cannibals!) but he also turns out to be an amazing writer! What a beautiful portrait of Africa and what thoughtful reflections! I tried to read this book a slowly as I possibly could to make it last. Each time I picked it up, it was like a special treat. The epilogue gave me chills. I found myself highlighting so many passages to come back to. I highly recommend this book.
6 people found this helpful
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Rik De Decker
5.0 out of 5 stars Reading the Best Book Ever
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2021
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The blend of raw experience with reflective existentialist awareness born from reading and contextualising the great thinkers makes this book an *experience* not to be missed!
It goes a long way, and adds valuable insights to understanding that ever-present question asked of extreme sportspeople: “Why do it?”
One person found this helpful
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Soochi Sandhiya Kumari
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful read
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2023
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The title of the book is explicitly revealing the awesomeness of this book. The book is about adventurous experience of Hendri who wanted to enjoy every moment of his life while being on trip.
The experiences are drafted in intresting way and would definitely make you feel intrested in getting a trip for yourself.
I enjoyed every chapter of this book and suggest to give it a try if you are an adventurous kind of person.
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Sharon Winkler
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
I loved this book. Hendri's self-awareness and insights are extremely moving. The portrayal of Africa was so real - no fluff. The love for that continent, those countries, those people - even the scary ones, shone out of every word. This book touched me in so many ways.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Life worth living
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
Leaving comforts to thrive outside your comfort zone... I recommend this book to any adventurous soul! It is a great read!
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Megan
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2018
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Love this book! A must read for anyone interested in traveling to Africa, or anyone who has traveled to Africa.
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Kyle
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020
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Highly recommend this book
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Elrika Senekal
5.0 out of 5 stars what a great read! enjoyed every minute
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
what a great read! enjoyed every minute. it felt as if I myself was there as an onlooker. Travelling Africa in the luxury of my own chair.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Lilia Sinclair
5.0 out of 5 stars This story is amazing and it was nice to get to know him ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2014
Verified Purchase
I had the incredible stroke of luck being in Uganda when Hendri, Ben and Chris were taking off on their expedition to the Congo.
Hendi is a person you meet once and never forget. This story is amazing and it was nice to get to know him even more. He is funny, brave, spiritual, inspiring and totally down to earth, I savoured every minute and did not want it to end.
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Paul Harwood
5.0 out of 5 stars If you kayak, you should read this.
Reviewed in Canada on February 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
Really enjoying this book, much more than I expected to. So often I am disappointed and underwhelmed with books about modern adventures, but Hendri really wrote and enjoyable read. Wish I had the opportunity to paddle with him.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 31, 2018
Verified Purchase
In the comments section on a magazine tribute to Coetzee, someone wrote "Hendri you lived while the rest of us slept." That says it all.
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Ardent
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most remarkably insightful individuals I’ve ever read work from.
Reviewed in Canada on May 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Hendri, and after reading this I feel like I can call him by his first name, relays a life path many who chase adventure will understand all too well. And just when he was grasping the true meaning of life, he lost his. Read his journey, it will help yours.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Never stop exploring
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
Just read it!
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