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kellyxmen's review against another edition
3.0
Call me fickle.
Before I started reading this book, I was certain that I would be excited to read the sequel.
I ended up getting through about 75% of it before I started skimming hardcore -- I read about 10 words a page, racing to the end as though there would be a prize waiting for me for flipping through the pages!
I didn't like how this privileged white man acted as though he was doing something brave and arduous for which he deserved attention and applause when really, he was taking a gap year.
Granted, the way that he traveled was not the most comfortable and required tremendous physical activity.
Granted, the way that he traveled imposed some risks...
But I cannot bring myself to admire him.
At the end of the day, he isn't doing anything heroic -- he's taking a goddamn vacation.
And the adventure? I think if you're looking for a taste of real adventure, Tommy Caldwell's "The Push" would be a better choice.
It was honestly quite boring. It felt like reading a well-written diary -- it's the sort of content that is most of interest to the person writing it. It also felt like listening to a white man coming home from his gap year, who is now so cultured and has so many tales to share and who cannot stop blabbering to you about that one time in Ethiopia.
It was interesting, however, to read about his thinking process. I liked learning about the inspiration behind this undertaking and the mechanisms of planning and executing such a project.
My wish to read about athleticism and adventure was not fulfilled, but my curiosity has been satisfied!
Before I started reading this book, I was certain that I would be excited to read the sequel.
I ended up getting through about 75% of it before I started skimming hardcore -- I read about 10 words a page, racing to the end as though there would be a prize waiting for me for flipping through the pages!
I didn't like how this privileged white man acted as though he was doing something brave and arduous for which he deserved attention and applause when really, he was taking a gap year.
Granted, the way that he traveled was not the most comfortable and required tremendous physical activity.
Granted, the way that he traveled imposed some risks...
But I cannot bring myself to admire him.
At the end of the day, he isn't doing anything heroic -- he's taking a goddamn vacation.
And the adventure? I think if you're looking for a taste of real adventure, Tommy Caldwell's "The Push" would be a better choice.
It was honestly quite boring. It felt like reading a well-written diary -- it's the sort of content that is most of interest to the person writing it. It also felt like listening to a white man coming home from his gap year, who is now so cultured and has so many tales to share and who cannot stop blabbering to you about that one time in Ethiopia.
It was interesting, however, to read about his thinking process. I liked learning about the inspiration behind this undertaking and the mechanisms of planning and executing such a project.
My wish to read about athleticism and adventure was not fulfilled, but my curiosity has been satisfied!
ornithopter1's review against another edition
4.0
The second half of the book is a definite improvement over the fairly unengaging first. The journey through the african continent holds some facinating moments and some surprisingly thought provoking ones too. Enjoyable book. The only things that let it down are the irrelevant 'recipes' which appear throughout the text and the far more numerous (and irritating) 'wise quotations'. Overall I have to say I really enjoyed it and look forward to the ultimate stage of his journey in the next book.
marriott's review against another edition
5.0
Having followed Alastair's blog and videos for some time I decided to read the books. I wasn't disappointed! He has a great writing style and I found it easy to keep turning pages. I've already started on the next one too!
jonnyrwhit's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.75
The first half of the book was as slow and as tedious as cycling up a large incline and took me various false starts to actually get going.
However the second part of the book became much more interesting, the cultures and landscapes differed and the observations and comments of the journey were much more intriguing.
There were a few heartfelt moments, and I'm glad I finished the book, however the book didn't leave a taste for adventure, travel or even extreme physical and mental challenges, something I would expect from a book of this ilk.
However the second part of the book became much more interesting, the cultures and landscapes differed and the observations and comments of the journey were much more intriguing.
There were a few heartfelt moments, and I'm glad I finished the book, however the book didn't leave a taste for adventure, travel or even extreme physical and mental challenges, something I would expect from a book of this ilk.
fomac's review against another edition
5.0
A pleasure to read. Quickly dispels any romantic notions of 'epic adventure' in favor of giving a more raw, genuine take on going against the grain.
michael_h's review against another edition
5.0
I think I picked this book up on the recommendation of someone I know rather than just seeing the title and thinking "I should read this!". And it lingered in my ever growing collection of ecclectic books. I started reading Alastair's Shouting From The Shed newsletters and listening to his Living Adventurously podcasts, all the time with this book in the back of my mind. Covid-19 came with it's lockdown, combined with a shoulder injury limiting my own physical activity - eventually I found the time to read through my collection of books and I got round to picking this up. I discovered the sales receipt tucked neatly into the front cover and realized I'd purchased it back in December 2013. Shame on my ignoring this book for so long.
Alastair claims this to be not a particularly well written book as it was his first effort and that his subsequent works are better. I found the book very enthralling as he recounts the trials and tribulations of his epic journey. The tales of the people he met along the way continued to pique my curiosity. I'm now about to order the follow up and will not be waiting so long to read it. And next time I moan about having to cycle home from work on a warm day with squeeley brakes and a broken spoke (it happened once) I'll remind myself of what Alastair put himself through.
Alastair claims this to be not a particularly well written book as it was his first effort and that his subsequent works are better. I found the book very enthralling as he recounts the trials and tribulations of his epic journey. The tales of the people he met along the way continued to pique my curiosity. I'm now about to order the follow up and will not be waiting so long to read it. And next time I moan about having to cycle home from work on a warm day with squeeley brakes and a broken spoke (it happened once) I'll remind myself of what Alastair put himself through.
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
Harbouring a desire to ride round the world Alastair Humphreys had saved and planned it for ages, and at the age of 24 he was ready to leave. Or was he? Huge doubts had set in and he was worrying about all sorts of things, but he took the plunge and set off to the continent. As the days passed through Europe, confidence grew and after a couple of weeks cycling he was approaching Istanbul, and the prospect of leaving Europe and moving into Asia. Then the September 11th attacks happened. This changed everything and made the route through Iran, and Afghanistan he’d had in mind, untenable. Instead he had to turn right and pedal through a tense middle east and head into the wild lands of Africa.
So begins the first part of Humphreys global journey. It is well written account of his ride and encounters with the people of each country he passes through. Almost exclusively he finds that people are friendly and welcoming, bar the odd one or two, and even though he was strongly advised not to ride some of the countries, he takes a risk. He writes with an open heart and he tells us the moments where he is at his lowest ebb and his moments of elation. Overall a very enjoyable read; looking forward to the second half soon.
So begins the first part of Humphreys global journey. It is well written account of his ride and encounters with the people of each country he passes through. Almost exclusively he finds that people are friendly and welcoming, bar the odd one or two, and even though he was strongly advised not to ride some of the countries, he takes a risk. He writes with an open heart and he tells us the moments where he is at his lowest ebb and his moments of elation. Overall a very enjoyable read; looking forward to the second half soon.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
4.0
Harbouring a desire to ride round the world Alastair Humphreys had saved and planned it for ages, and at the age of 24 he was ready to leave. Or was he? Huge doubts had set in and he was worrying about all sorts of things, but he took the plunge and set off to the continent. As the days passed through Europe, confidence grew and after a couple of weeks cycling he was approaching Istanbul, and the prospect of leaving Europe and moving into Asia. Then the September 11th attacks happened. This changed everything and made the route through Iran, and Afghanistan he’d had in mind, untenable. Instead he had to turn right and pedal through a tense middle east and head into the wild lands of Africa.
So begins the first part of Humphreys global journey. It is well written account of his ride and encounters with the people of each country he passes through. Almost exclusively he finds that people are friendly and welcoming, bar the odd one or two, and even though he was strongly advised not to ride some of the countries, he takes a risk. He writes with an open heart and he tells us the moments where he is at his lowest ebb and his moments of elation. Overall a very enjoyable read; looking forward to the second half soon.
So begins the first part of Humphreys global journey. It is well written account of his ride and encounters with the people of each country he passes through. Almost exclusively he finds that people are friendly and welcoming, bar the odd one or two, and even though he was strongly advised not to ride some of the countries, he takes a risk. He writes with an open heart and he tells us the moments where he is at his lowest ebb and his moments of elation. Overall a very enjoyable read; looking forward to the second half soon.
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