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mustafa_marwan's review against another edition
1.0
Too much racism and entitlement for my taste, even by the sixties standards, I guess.
lindseysparks's review against another edition
4.0
I really hate that my copy has something about the Hemingway and Gellhorn movie printed on it when she goes out of her way to not use his name in this very book.
cristalyne's review against another edition
1.0
What I learned from this book is, if you love a person’s biography and are inspired by her legacy, don’t read her memoir, or know that if you do, she will sorely disappoint you. I will never be able to unsee the racism and bigotry in the pages of this book and it has affected how I view her life’s work and the parts of her I related to. I have no idea how to feel about my one time hero anymore.
hmahood's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Colonisation
estee623's review against another edition
4.0
I would probably rate this as a 3.5, rather than a 4. While this was a great travel memoir, I thought it dragged too much during certain parts. There was also too much focus on the trouble with traveling, and while much of it was ironic and humorous, I thought this made the book a little harder to get through. However, Gellhorn remains one of my idols-she was a brave, adventurous woman who lived an amazing life. It was a joy to read about her adventures and I hope to read more of her work in the future.
ceamerrill's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favorite all-time books. I read this for the first time about eight years ago (forever grateful for finding it on the shelf of the library in Melbourne) and have been so inspired by Martha Gellhorn's adventures, bravery and straightforward and witty writing style ever since. Despite the fact that travel has changed so dramatically over the last 70+ years, so many of her insights remain sharp and inspiring. If you love to travel or write about travel, this is a must-read.
stephb413's review against another edition
5.0
Personally for me this was a five. Here is why: I am a firm believer that books come to us at certain times. They patiently rest upon shelves waiting for the new releases or "got to read before the movie comes out" genre. I guilty confess that this happens even more with my actual paper books, as they are overshadowed as my library hold list becomes available for my ebooks (I know I'm sorry!) Anyway, Gellhorn sat patiently for a long time waiting for me until I needed paper books to take to the beach on an extended "me" holiday. I was sort of struggling with life choices and decisions and this book helped me to no end while I was sitting on a beach alone in Brazil. I think any traveler or dreamer (they are one in the same in my opinion) would love this book, but there is definitely something special here for the solo female traveler. I left this book at an adorable little beach library for the next traveler to pick up. There I think Gellhorn will continue to happily and patiently wait for the next person in need to pick her up.
sarahscire's review against another edition
5.0
Again, Gellhorn's nonfiction overshadows all of her other works. Mr. Mao's Tiger is a particularly interesting memoir, especially if you know H is her ex-husband, Ernest Hemingway (although he is never explicitly named).
peixinhodeprata's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended to me as a travel book. And yet I cannot think of another book more capable of dissuading us of ever leaving the conforts of our home, as it is solely based on "horrour journeys". The Russia chapter is a particularly good example of this, even knowing the author made this journey during the iron curtain times.
Despite all the horrid descriptions, it was an amazing book written by an amazing person.
She experienced China and Africa when they were "unspoiled" by the globalization, with all the good and bad things that come out of it. She did see these countries in crucial times of their history, met interesting and role defining people, and lead a full life.
Even if one can no longer stumble accross elephantes, rhinos and hippos at every corner of West Africa, it is still mesmerizing to read about it from someone who experienced it first hand, and is humble enough to tell you the truth about the journey and not only the romaticized version.
One of the last chapter's, called "What Bores Whom?" makes a fairly accurate depiction of what I find interesting in travelling and what bores me to death, which can be much different from person to person.
It is a book well worth reading, and I also recommend reading about the life of this very interesting woman.
Here are two of my favourite quotes:
I think I was born with a weak memory as one can be born with a weak heart or weak ankles. I forget places, people, events and books as fast as I read them. All the magnificent scenery, the greatest joy of travel, blurs. As to dates - What year? What month? - the situation is hopeless. I am still waiting for the promissed time, said to arrive with advancing age, when you forget what you ate for breakfast but the past becomes brilliantly clear, like a personal son et lumière.
---
I don't own a car because I don't need one. I regard the getting and keeping (and the upkeeping) of possessions as a waste of life. No one can be wholy free but one can be freer, and the easiest trap to open is the possessions trap. I have the things I require and neither covet nor collect from choice. Or rather I only covet airfares and would not say no to a season pass on all airlines.
Recommended to all the travelling addicts, and everyone who likes to history.
Despite all the horrid descriptions, it was an amazing book written by an amazing person.
She experienced China and Africa when they were "unspoiled" by the globalization, with all the good and bad things that come out of it. She did see these countries in crucial times of their history, met interesting and role defining people, and lead a full life.
Even if one can no longer stumble accross elephantes, rhinos and hippos at every corner of West Africa, it is still mesmerizing to read about it from someone who experienced it first hand, and is humble enough to tell you the truth about the journey and not only the romaticized version.
One of the last chapter's, called "What Bores Whom?" makes a fairly accurate depiction of what I find interesting in travelling and what bores me to death, which can be much different from person to person.
It is a book well worth reading, and I also recommend reading about the life of this very interesting woman.
Here are two of my favourite quotes:
I think I was born with a weak memory as one can be born with a weak heart or weak ankles. I forget places, people, events and books as fast as I read them. All the magnificent scenery, the greatest joy of travel, blurs. As to dates - What year? What month? - the situation is hopeless. I am still waiting for the promissed time, said to arrive with advancing age, when you forget what you ate for breakfast but the past becomes brilliantly clear, like a personal son et lumière.
---
I don't own a car because I don't need one. I regard the getting and keeping (and the upkeeping) of possessions as a waste of life. No one can be wholy free but one can be freer, and the easiest trap to open is the possessions trap. I have the things I require and neither covet nor collect from choice. Or rather I only covet airfares and would not say no to a season pass on all airlines.
Recommended to all the travelling addicts, and everyone who likes to history.