About the Author

Daisuke Takahashi, a world traveler and Elected Fellow of both the Explorers Club in New York and the Royal Geographical Society in London, lives in Japan. In Search of Robinson Crusoe was recently published in Japan to great acclaim.

Reviews

Alexander Selkirk's life as a castaway for four years and four months on Juan Fernandez Island may have provided the donné for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. A Fellow of the Explorers Club of New York City and the Royal Geographical Society of London, Mr. Takahashi has written a gripping and graphic account of his personal quest to simulate the Crusoe castaway experience through a modern reenactment of Selkirk's survival on his desolate island nearly three hundred years ago.
*Dr. Michael Shinagel, Senior Lecturer on English, Harvard University, and editor of The Norton Critical Edition of Robinson Crusoe*

Both Alexander Selkirk and Robinson Crusoe remain compelling figures that continue to fascinate readers. I very much enjoyed reading how Defoe's imaginary journey has been relived by Daisuke Takahashi and also how he makes Selkirk come to life. An original and truly rewarding venture!
*Lieve Spaas, Research Professor of Arts and Culture at Kingston University and co-editor of Robinson Crusoe: Myths and Metamorphoses*

This is a remarkable book, part personal journey of revelation, part historical detective hunt for some fugitive remnants of the real life of the world's most famous castaway, whose life has been long shrouded in mystery and speculation.
*Ross MacPhee, co-curator of "The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Expedition" exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History*

Originally published in Takahashi's native Japan to great praise, this engaging travel memoir offers an interesting blend of literary research and adventure writing.
*Library Journal*

This book seeks to discover the actual man and adventures behind the remarkable life of Scottish sailor Alexander Selkirk, the "real-life Robinson Cruseo" who inspired Daniel Defoe's classic novel of the castaway's ordeal and survival.
*South American Explorer*

Takahashi set out to discover the real man behind Daniel Defoe's creation Robinson Crusoe, the Scots sailor Alexander Selkirk (1676-1721). His seven year quest took him to libraries and museums in England and Scotland and to Robinson Crusoe Island off the coast of Chile. There he lived without modern equipment and searched for signs of Selkirk's five year stay. The book has maps and photos, including a coconut cup taht belonged to Selkirk.
*Pbs Teacher Source*