The Books
Words of Adventure & Resilience
Writing isn't just about telling stories—it's about sharing experiences that can light the way for others. Each of my books emerged from different seasons of life: some from the depths of cancer treatment, others from solo winter expeditions, and still others from quiet moments of reflection. Together, they form a mosaic of what it means to live fully, no matter what challenges we face.
Get Your Journey Started
Begin your adventure with exclusive first chapters from each of Thom's books, plus a special selection of poems from The Strength of Surrender. From Arctic explorations to life-changing insights, these previews offer a glimpse into stories of resilience, adventure, and finding beauty in life's harshest seasons.
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The Collection
Living While Dying
My Cancer Journey
An inspiring wake-up call to embrace and cherish every moment of life.
Living While Dying is a blend of adventure and resilience—a guiding light
for others facing life's hardest challenges with unwavering strength and optimism.
Eight years ago, Thom's life took an unexpected turn with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Initially, he believed surgery to remove his prostate would cure him, but the cancer had already advanced to stage III, spreading beyond the gland. At the time, he believed he was already living life to the fullest, but facing a potentially limited lifespan changed his perspective entirely.
From the initial signs of rising PSA levels to the life-altering biopsy in 2016, the book chronicles Thom's journey to active living and traveling. Despite the diagnosis, Thom has embraced life and aimed to give as much as he has received from it.
After a period of remission, the cancer returned in 2019, and despite these challenges, Thom has continued to lead a fulfilling life, traveling and volunteering. Now 67, he faces the realities of stage IV cancer with determination and hope, aiming to surpass survival expectations and maintain a quality life. His thirst for adventure is taking him from Antarctica to South America to an awe-inspiring circumnavigation of Australia. Gazing into the future, Thom's ambitions are limitless.
Living While Dying is a deeply personal narrative about living fully in the face of illness. It sheds light on the daily challenges of living with both the disease and its treatments and explores how it impacts those close to individuals facing this diagnosis.
While this isn't a how-to guide on battling cancer, Thom shares his journey of living with it, emphasizing the importance of a positive outlook and truly living life, not merely existing with the disease. Through his inspiring story, Thom hopes to ignite a spark in readers, encouraging them to seize every moment, whether navigating their own cancer journey or supporting a loved one on that challenging path.
Chasing My Northern Lights
Traveling Life’s Unpredictable Road Where Adventure And Introspection Blur
Delve into a world where the boundaries between adventure and
introspection blur against the backdrop of Earth's most captivating landscapes.
This isn't just a travelogue; it's a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Thom Barrett, whose very existence has been shaped by the intersection of wanderlust and adversity, navigates the challenges of living with stage IV prostate cancer while embarking on a seven-month odyssey of overlanding and skiing during the years of 2022–23. Barrett's raw and unfiltered narrative confronts the harsh realities of illness while presenting the transformative power of embracing life's uncertainties.
Rooted in lived experience, Chasing My Northern Lights is a beacon of hope for those navigating their trials. It offers a unique perspective on finding beauty in uncertainty and strength in struggle. With each turn of the page, be reminded of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing every moment with courage and grace.
From the celestial dance of the Northern Lights to the rugged allure of mountain peaks, each encounter can become a testament to the profound connection between humanity and the Earth. Through Thom Barrett's immersive storytelling, readers are transported into the heart of the wilderness, where every sunrise brings the promise of renewal and every sunset whispers of resilience.
By the journey's end, Chasing My Northern Lights leaves readers with a renewed sense of purpose and a profound appreciation for the beauty that surrounds them. For those who dare to chase their own Northern Lights, this book is a guiding light in life's wilderness.
Embracing the Cold
A Guide to Solo Winter Travel and
Backcountry Expedition
Winter isn’t just a season to endure—it’s an opportunity to discover
resilience and immerse yourself in nature’s raw beauty. Are you ready to embrace it?
Imagine navigating icy roads, camping beneath snow-laden trees, and embarking on breathtaking expeditions into the wilderness. Embracing the Cold: A Guide to Solo Winter Travel and Backcountry Expedition is your essential companion, equipping you to embrace the wonders of winter while staying safe, prepared, and comfortable.
Winter's challenges are formidable—freezing temperatures, treacherous terrain, and the mental toll of solitude demand more than just a love for the cold. Do you know how to keep pipes from freezing in your camper? Can you layer effectively for extreme conditions? Are you prepared to navigate snow-covered trails or thrive off-grid? For many, these challenges make winter adventures seem unattainable.
Thom Barrett, an experienced winter adventurer and solo traveler, shares hard-earned insights from years of navigating remote, icy landscapes. With expertise in boondocking, winter survival, and off-grid preparation, Thom offers practical advice for thriving in harsh conditions. From gear setup and clothing strategies to safety tips and mental resilience, his guidance empowers you to embrace the season’s challenges confidently.
By the end of this guide, you’ll master winter survival strategies, prepare your vehicle and gear for icy conditions, and cultivate the mental toughness to savor the solitude and serenity of the season. You’ll be ready to craft a fulfilling winter adventure that leaves no trace and deepens your connection to the natural world.
Answer winter’s call. Dive into Embracing the Cold and transform the harshest season into an unforgettable adventure, discovery, and personal growth journey.
The Strength of Surrender
A Chapbook of Heartfelt Poems
What if surrender could be your greatest strength,
and joy could shine even in life’s darkest moments?
In The Strength of Surrender, Thom Barrett takes you on a deeply transformative journey through acceptance, resilience, and emotional healing. What if letting go of control could open the door to profound understanding and connection? Imagine facing uncertainty, grief, or a painful diagnosis with renewed hope and a deeper appreciation for life.
Many of us wrestle with feelings of isolation, fear, and despair. This chapbook offers solace and insight whether you’re grappling with loss, struggling to accept a new reality, or navigating significant life changes. Through a collection of heartfelt poems, The Strength of Surrender speaks to anyone facing life’s adversities, offering a guiding light in moments of darkness.
Thom Barrett, a passionate poet and cancer thriver, brings authenticity and authority to his words. Having faced heart disease, a traumatic brain injury, and a stage IV cancer diagnosis, Thom’s lived experiences infuse his poetry with hard-earned wisdom and compassion. His writing offers a roadmap to acceptance, encouraging you to find courage in vulnerability and strength in surrender.
By the end of this chapbook, you will feel empowered to confront their struggles with mindfulness, emotional resilience, and self-compassion. Each poem serves as a guide, inspiring you to choose joy and embrace acceptance as an active, courageous practice.
Discover the power of letting go. Dive into The Strength of Surrender and find comfort, connection, and inspiration on your journey of healing.
Launching January 2025
Find solace and inspiration in this collection of heartfelt poems exploring acceptance, resilience, and finding joy in life's challenging moments.
Retailers may purchase through Ingram.
What's Being Said
"This book left me profoundly grateful that you shared your journey. It provided me with a deeper understanding of both you and the challenges of cancer. Your adventures have always amazed me; this book revealed even more of your incredible spirit. While I've admired your creativity and boundless zest for life, I now greatly appreciate your resilience and willingness to push boundaries. Your enduring strength, unwavering determination, and sheer grit are as inspiring as ever."
- Steve K.
"Thom’s riveting, warp speed, emotional roller coaster journey is loaded with shocking surprises and lessons learned, all while traveling the globe and facing the ultimate challenge: Living While Dying. "
- TDD
"I could not put the book down and read it twice. I am looking forward to sharing Thom’s story with family and friends."
- John B.
"You are a gifted writer. In reading, I certainly got a better understanding of who you are and what makes you tick. Or, why couldn’t I contact you for months at a time over the last few years?"
- Barry C.
"It is rare that people are able to share their own true, honest thoughts, feelings, and state of being. This book is exactly that. I not only heard your story, but I also felt its moments of peace, joy, frustration, pain, and sadness."
- Kerry W.
"Thom’s story of his battles with cancer, heart disease, hip replacements, and the mental and relationship challenges these health issues all placed on him is truly awe-inspiring. His passions, frustrations, joys, and disappointments come through in a human and very personal way. I felt like Thom was sitting in the room with me. Most of us have been touched by cancer either directly or through a loved one. Thom provides insightful perspectives that helped me better understand the emotional and physical roller coaster cancer sufferers go through and how to better support them. Throughout the book, Thom provides his reflections on seeking purpose and service that we would all benefit from by focusing on in our lives. Thom, thanks for sharing your story and your high spirit with us."
- Barry Benjamin
"Living While Dying" by Thom Barrett is a compelling memoir chronicling an eight-year battle with prostate cancer intertwined with heart disease struggles. More than a cancer narrative, it's a testament to the resilience and the therapeutic power of travel. The author candidly shares his medical journey, offering insights that resonate with those on similar paths. His passion for travel is a central theme, presenting each journey as a sanctuary for healing and reflection. The book delves into the emotional impact of chronic illness, addressing fear and uncertainty while maintaining an undercurrent of hope. Through personal anecdotes and a conversational tone, Thom transforms his story into a universal message of living life fully amidst adversity. "Living While Dying" stands out as an inspiring tale of finding joy and purpose on the road, offering a roadmap for resilience in the face of life's challenges."
- Steve
"One man's honest journey of navigating life with prostate cancer. It was very insightful and a must-read for anyone who cares for someone who is going through the same or similar circumstances."
- Rosie Whitcher Appel
"Thom has answered our unspoken questions and taken us to a place of mutual appreciation. What truly matters is that we exist to live and that we are all dying from the moment we are born, and it takes a diagnosis to remind us of that. Being grateful for what makes us matter and recognizing those that matter are life's rewards. Thom has contributed to our journey and is appreciated for sharing his personal thoughts and honesty."
- Joanne Buscemi
"It is a breathtaking blend of adventure and introspection. Thom Barrett's journey through some of Earth's most stunning landscapes is a powerful testament to resilience and the human spirit."
- Kelly Flyn
"Not only was I inspired to get out and travel more, but I now have a valuable resource to help make it happen. Thom’s ability to continue sharing his life and dreams, given his situation, makes me pause to examine my future path and legacy. Thank you, Thom, for showing us the way."
- John B.
"Thom has a way with words, simplifying complex trip planning and giving helpful tips. It’s been nice learning about his trips and what he did, and the back appendix is very helpful! Excited to read more by this author!!"
- John Vega
"Thom's latest book, Chasing My Northern Lights, is a well-written and engaging read on traveling with purpose. Traveling off the beaten path with his beloved dog Dexter, one feels like you are traveling alone, getting glimpses of this beautiful land through his eyes. This is not a book about cancer but rather a guidebook for life. Bravo, Thom!"
- A. Ritcher
"As an avid reader of memoirs, I was immediately drawn to this book. I am incredibly impressed by Barrett’s story and continue to look forward to future work from this author — a must-read for outdoor lovers and really anyone!"
- Phoebe Nash
"This book can serve as a testament to many people who feel they are down in life. Reading this novel will empower you to find the things you truly love to do and will help you pursue those things while never losing hope for what the future holds."
- Alec Zernovak
"In all honesty, I don’t typically read genres like this. There was something about this book that really hit me. The way he describes life and its meaning could only be described in detail by a man in his situation. I loved this book and recommend this as a deep, almost philosophical read."
- Anthony Panuccio
"Wonderful read. Thom’s language takes you to a place you’ve never been before. It allows you to walk in someone else’s shoes and have an experience you haven’t had yourself. Definitely worth the read!"
- Caitlin