Available spring 2025, Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic (Pegasus Books, March 4, 2025) is the moving and nail-biting account of an endurance adventurer’s journey of a lifetime, kayaking 1,000 miles solo through the Canadian sub-arctic after a life-threatening battle with kidney disease. Inspirational, vulnerable, and honest, Kesting shares the lessons he learned in the wilderness that will help us hold onto hope in our darkest moments and show how we can find the strength to overcome any obstacle.
When Stephen Kesting, already no stranger to pushing his own physical limits, was faced with a kidney transplant, he knew the only way for him to recover in both body and mind was to dig even deeper. Despite the dangers inherent in the Canadian sub-arctic, Kesting sets out on an unimaginably difficult journey, dealing with the dangers of polar bears, arctic storms, forest fires, and boat-eating rapids. Completely alone in the wilderness for six weeks, wracked with self doubt and where a single mistake could cost his life, Stephen found the strength to endure.
“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,” said April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Girl, Stolen.
Kesting is an adventurer, jiu-jitsu practitioner, and a firefighter. He has traversed the Canadian North for over forty years, both on his own and as a guide. He has been published in canoeing anthologies, is the author of several jiu-jitsu instructional books, and has written thousands of online and magazine articles in the martial arts and outdoor adventure space. In the book, Stephan came to terms with the death of two of his brothers, both of whom died doing adrenaline sports and finding meaning through challenges. He also analyzes why some things can only be achieved alone, as well as the factors required for success, including physical preparation, skill development, research, gear selection, and developing a support team.
Pegasus Books | Hardcover | $28.95 | 272 pages | 6 x 9 | 9781639368617 | Travel | March 4th, 2025
Follow him on YouTube and other social channels to learn more about this incredible paddler and athlete.