About The Author
Bill Thorington is an author, adventurer, and retired banking and finance professional based in Northern California. He holds academic degrees in Biochemistry, Mathematics, and Business Administration, and spent decades working in banking and financial services before retiring to run an organic cattle ranch in Northern California.
During his career as a banker, Bill developed strong professional writing skills, authoring technical papers, regulatory documents, and training manuals. Outside the corporate world, his passion for the wild and exploration steadily grew. A master SCUBA diver, climber, spelunker, and private pilot, Bill is a seasoned explorer who has challenged the Sierra Crest and John Muir Trails along the Sierra Nevada Mountains, trekked through the jungles of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, explored Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, and dived the remote waters of Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.
In 2016, he became intrigued by what would be known as The Great American Eclipse, a total solar eclipse visible across North America for the first time in nearly a century. What he initially considered a simple road trip in the Pacific Northwest unexpectedly turned into a life-changing adventure, reinforcing his belief that even the simplest journeys can lead to profound experiences.
Wherever he travels, Bill Thorington is drawn to the beauty of nature, diverse cultures, and the unpredictable aspects of human behavior. His stories reflect real risk, resilience, and moments that could have ended very differently. Close friends often joke that he has already lived eight of his nine lives and continues to write from the edge of curiosity, experience, and survival.
ECLIPSE
What began as a simple road trip quickly turns into a humorous and eye-opening adventure. In Eclipse, Bill Thorington shares the planning mishaps, unexpected detours, and memorable misadventures of chasing the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Blending accessible science with sharp observations of human nature, the book captures the unpredictability and wonder of the natural world through engaging, real-life storytelling.
OSA
OSA: An Adventure into Wild Costa Rica is a true-life travel story that takes readers into one of the most remote and biodiverse regions in the world. The book follows a couple as they journey through Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, exploring rainforests, rivers, and protected wildlife areas.
Through personal experiences, the author shares the challenges and rewards of traveling in untouched environments. The story highlights the importance of preparation, respect for nature, and environmental conservation. Along the way, readers gain insight into sustainable travel and the beauty of preserving fragile ecosystems.
This book is ideal for adventure lovers, nature enthusiasts, and readers who enjoy authentic travel experiences grounded in real-life exploration.
Our Testimomials
Bill’s book was so fun to read that I actually felt as If I was on the road trip with them. Very informative on the reason we have an Eclipse.
Great read. It's as if I was there. Nice journey. Nice writing
This book does an excellent job of capturing the cultural and human significance of the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Beyond the science, the author documents the chaos, anticipation, and shared excitement of a group chasing a rare natural event. The blend of historical context, real-time travel challenges, and human reaction makes the narrative both informative and deeply engaging.
What stood out immediately was how vividly the journey unfolds. From planning the eclipse trip to navigating traffic gridlock, environmental obstacles, and unexpected setbacks, the author brings the reader directly into the experience. The group dynamic adds warmth and humor, making the story feel personal rather than purely observational.
This manuscript succeeds in showing how extraordinary events affect ordinary people. The interactions among the group, their shared frustrations, and their collective awe during totality offer thoughtful insight into human behavior when science, nature, and emotion collide. It’s as much about people as it is about the eclipse.
The pacing mirrors the journey itself—anticipation, tension, disruption, and ultimately reward. The mix of scientific explanation, travel narrative, and group experience keeps the reader engaged throughout. The manuscript feels authentic, well-researched, and accessible to both science enthusiasts and general readers.
