Reviews (18)

A great survivor story
This is a well written story of a man's ability to survive on an inflatable raft for 76 days. Written in the first person the author/survivor describes as only he can the depth of his pain as well as the spiritual awakening he experiences. Everytime he describes his small tins of fresh water he made me want to go get a drink myself. His survival skllls, luck, ingenuity, resoursefulness, and his overwhelming desire to live kept him alive where most other people would have surely perished. This is a remarkable story told in a captivating way.
Astounding
Adrift was a great book. The way that the author describes what he goes through and the way that he interprets how he survives being stranded at sea for 76 days. This is an epic novel that catches the reader's attention within the first few pages. He starts off telling a story about a race that he's entered himself into with his sailboat. Then he tells you about how they are going to start the race even though a huge storm is approaching. With this in your head you can stop reading the book. He puts into detail exactly what you want to hear in an adventure novel. He makes you feel like you were out on the raft with him while he was stranded at sea. He makes it so that when he fights the shark for the first time that your there. You want to try to help him but you cant because you're only reading a book but you wish that none of this had happened to him because it's just so horrible. So if you wanted to read an adventure book with an edge of excitement throughout the book then I would recommend this book to anybody willing to read it.

Excellent
This is a great book. I thought the author did a great job of putting you in his position. I just finished reading the story "Two Survived" which is a similar story about people trying to survive in a small boat with little or no survival / safety equipment. After reading that book it made me appreciate "Adrift" even more (Although I always thought Adrift was a 5 star book). Very good.
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Subjects:  1. Callahan, Steven    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Napoleon Solo (Yacht)    4. North Atlantic Ocean    5. Special Interest - Adventure    6. Survival after airplane accide    7. Survival after airplane accidents, shipwrecks, etc    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (69)

"Shiver me timbers!"
Maybe I'm being unfair, but MAIDEN VOYAGE rankled me from the starboard dust jacket to the port, with its repetitive, "The first American woman---and the youngest person ever---to circumnavigate the globe alone." That, and the saccharine title just set my teeth on edge before I ever turned to page one.
Full of Courage
Being a parent of two daughters I don't know if I could do what Tania's father did -- sending his daughter sailing across the world -- ALONE -- at the age of eighteen. But I do understand his vision of what an adventure can do to change a persons life, and that is definitely seen in Tania's story. She left a troubled teen and came back a woman.
Simply Wonderful...
Maiden Voyage is a wonderful account of Tanya Aebi's adventure around the world.Her story is told in such honesty that any reader may feel the longing to explore the world.I myself have spoken of it so often that my husband is a little worried that I will leave him and the land for the seclusion and adventure of the sea.He needn't worry, but I at least want to learn how to sail.
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Subjects:  1. 1966-    2. Aebi, Tania,    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Sailing - Narratives    5. Sailing, Single-handed    6. Special Interest - Adventure    7. Travel    8. Travel - General    9. Varuna (Yacht)    10. Voyages around the world    11. Aebi, Tania    12. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (12)

Great writing!
This book was a good choice to read after recently finishing "Crazy in the Cockpit." I confess I skipped/skimmed through the more technical aviation-related sections, concentrating on the travel narrative aspect. Makes for good bedside reading.

What a way to go!
I loved William Least Heat Moon's "Blue Highways" describing his travels on the back roads of America.Now Mariana Gosnell has done an aerial version of it and has done it equally well.I had two childhood dreams.I'll never be a cowboy but, even at my advanced age, I can be a pilot.Until then, please take me with you on your next odyssey Mariana

wonderful yarn about flying across the United States
The Luscombe isn't my favorite lightplane, but it is Gosnell's, and she writes about it with such affection that I'd like to fly one. The trip evidently takes place in the late 1970s, because Jimmy Carter is president. (She visits Plains GA and the largest peanut-butter factory in the world.) Gosnell is a journalist, so she goes out of her way to visit unlikely places and meet interesting people. (Among them is the crew of the man-powered Gossamer Condor, whose record-breaking flight she is on hand to document.) I feel sorry for the lad who quit reading on page 10. He missed a wonderful yarn, and one that deserves a place on the bookshelf of any lightplane pilot. -- Dan Ford ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air travel    2. Aviation - General    3. Description and travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Gosnell, Mariana    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. United States    9. United States - General    10. Voyages and travels    11. Women air pilots    12. Journeys    13. Transportation-Aviation - General    14. Travel & holiday guides    15. Travel / Essays & Travelogues    16. Travel / General    17. Travel-United States - General    18. USA   

Editorial Review

This may well be some of the best airplane reading ever. Part travel guide, part relationship primer, Read more

Reviews (18)

A+ for bravery and positive thinking
Jennifer Cox could not find love in workaholic London. With contacts worldwide as a PR person for the Lonely Planet travel guidebooks, she sets out to find Mr. Right by sending out a casting call for dates, and ends up with 80 all told.
Dating Inspiration...
Have you ever wondered where in the world your soulmate might be hiding? Maybe the reason you haven't met him yet is that he doesn't share you zip code? In fact, he may not even share your continent!
Very entertaining!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had first heard of it through a radio interview with the author. And, although I knew the outcome of the story, I found it extremely entertaining and didn't want the book to end! It was the perfect read on my vacation. I am married, but I certainly could relate to many of Ms Cox's thoughts and feelings through her many different dates! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Dating (Social customs)    3. Family & Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Humor    6. Interpersonal Relations    7. Love & Romance    8. Love / Sex / Marriage    9. Man-woman relationships    10. Mate selection    11. Single women    12. Women    13. Family & Relationships / Love & Romance   

Subjects:  1. Interpersonal Relations    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Novelty    5. Single people   

Reviews (3)

How low can you go?Solo
My father and I have the same last name, we are both pilots and we have both read SOLO by Clyde Edgerton.That's were we parted company.My dad liked it.I did not.
An Insight into the Dream of Flight
This book is probably the best written book I have read this year. It is an example of a book written by someone who knows their subject matter well. Edgerton has a way of making you feel as though you are a fly on the wall of the cockpit.
Interesting book, not only for flight enthusiasts

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Subjects:  1. Aerial operations, American    2. Air pilots    3. Air pilots, Military    4. Aviation - General    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. General    10. Historical - General    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Travelers    13. United States    14. Vietnam War, 1961-1975    15. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (6)

Fast read
Another great John Long compilation!!Read while on a business trip & could hardly put it down, really saved me from the travel boredom.Any climber can relate to the drama & excitement!

Good reasons to not climb alone
This is an easy, quick read that will entertain if you like climbing stories.While I enjoyed reading this book as I have all of Long's climbing stories, I just can't see the thrill of tackling mountains alone.The element of danger is raised exponentially.Therefore, I didn't identify with the climbers and why they take this risk.It does detail these climbers and why so many feel the desire to climb alone in dangerous conditions. Personally, it just made me more comfortable on an indoor rock wall.Climbers will still enjoy the read however.

Damn Good Book
This Book was awesome.It kept me on the edge of my feet.John Long is a great climbing author and I haven't read a bad book from him yet.If you want to be on your feet and like to be excited, this is the one for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Essays    3. Hiking    4. Mountain Climbing    5. Mountaineering    6. Mountaineers    7. Special Interest - Adventure    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Sports - General    11. Biography: sport    12. Climbing & mountaineering    13. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering    14. Travel writing   

Reviews (6)

A "Must" for Solo Travelers
I read that this book won an award so I bought it last week. I found it useful, funny, and supportive. I'm buying a bunch for my friends.

GREAT BOOK !!!!
This book was given to me as a gift while I was deciding if I would want to go on a long trip alone. It is a wonderful book. It convinced me that traveling alone is worth the adventure. I loved Ms. Lane's writing. I enjoyed this book so much that I am currently ordering three more copies of it from amazon to give to other solo friends as gifts. It is well worth the money, and all around a delightful book. I highly recommend it.

Get Out Your Passport
This is a delightful, readable book that got me excited about travel.I've done some "partial" solo travel, so I could really relate to the author's stories. I especially loved her tales, some sad and some laugh-out-loud funny. She had many useful ideas for dining alone, packing your bags, dealing with strangers and loneliness, planning ahead and so much more. Her many experiences (some were amazing) just whetted my appetite to get on a plane. Can't wait to read Ms Lane's next book (while I'm enroute to some exotic destination!). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - General    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / General   

Reviews (9)

Natnats, hot sun, and dangerous men.
Four corners is a tale of a 24 year old woman's journey across Papua New Guinea. Her experience makes for a wonderful read, but she overworks the "finding herself" bit. Despite the self obsessive and all too frequent maudlin tangents, Salak writes in tight prose that grips the reader early in the book and doesn't let go until the second to last chapter (the last chapter is so sappy it brought the entire book from a solid 5 stars to a 4. It nearly morphed the read from high adventure to a "chick" book).
moving and insightful
(Memoir) Salak decides to travel across Papula
Great read!
I am leaving for my second trip to Papua New Guinea in little under a week. Ifound Salak's book to be a great read! I agree with another reviewer that her introspective thoughts became a bit redundant but all in all the book flowed well and was very interestingRead more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Biography/Autobiography    3. Description and travel    4. General    5. Papua New Guinea    6. Salak, Kira,    7. Travel    8. Travel - General    9. Travelers' writings    10. Journeys    11. Salak, Kira    12. Memoir   

Reviews (2)

A Little Disappointed
When I saw the title and description of the book I jumped at it because I turned 60 this year and have yearned to do something special to mark the passage.When I saw that she had bought an around the world airline ticket good for a year, I expected a nomadic sort of ramble to strange countries and adventures.I was disappointed to realize that this trip was relatively short and had a set itinerary.Even though she went to exotic places, she had been to some of them before, and she had friends or acquaintances in all of them who put her up and took her around.A nice middle class academic on vacation.Her introspective moments were sometimes moving, but I tended to skip over the poetry quoting and philosophizing.This isn't really a bad read.I guess I was expecting something more exciting and insightful.

Two Journeys
I found this a fascinating book on two levels. The journey around the world visiting and sometimes traveling with friends was an absorbing story in itself. But the inner journey-the "solo" journey- was a moving and uplifting experience. Everyone has those special birthdays-30, 40, and in the author's case, 60, when one tends to take stock of one's life. The trip was a chance to both see a part of the world we rarely get to see as well as to look back with the author at the process of becoming the person who is taking this trip. I believe a great many people will enjoy taking these journies with Ms Watkins. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Travel    4. Travelers    5. Voyages around the world    6. Watkins, Nan    7. Women   

Reviews (8)

A Great Japan Travel Guide
Japan Solo became my only Japan travel guide starting with the 2nd edition. I've made more than 40 trips to Japan and used Japan Solo on every one. Because it emphasizes rail travel, this book and a Japan Rail pass make it easy to get around in a country that can otherwise be quite complicated. It's best coverage is around the large cities, but still does an adequate job for outlying areas. There's so much to see and do in Japan it's impossible to cram it all into one book. Japan Solo does a good job of getting the traveler to the more popular areas with ease. I would highly recommend it.

Recommended
I have purchased multiple Japan travel guides and this was the most specific and useful of the bunch.It is especially suited for those times when you venture out on your own.The maps are for the most part very accurate and quite helpful.It is low on pictures, etc., but the information it contained made it the book I turned to first.

Helpful, but I would buy Frommer's too
This book was very helpful in planning where to go and what to see when I went to Japan for two weeks. It has good recommendations for walking tours and cultural attractions and mentioned many areas that were overlooked by other guide books. Maps and directions were especially helpful. However, if you are looking for recommendations on lodgings and restaurants, I would get the Frommer's Japan book. Japan Solo lists hotels and inns, but gives no information about them other than location and price range. The Frommer book is also better organized for the first-time visitor so you can make decisions about your itinerary without being overwhelmed by too many choices. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Japan    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (6)

somewhat engaging but flawed
Unfortunately, I do not quite share the enthusiasm expressed by the other reviewers. Although Duff is an excellent descriptive writer, the numerous descriptions and philosophical musings in this book tend to go on and on needlessly; I do not need to read three pages about what it was like to find two apples in the ocean and eat them, or read description after description of the joys and epiphanies one experiences while paddling in a remote area. A little of that goes a long way.
Absolutely fantastic.
A couple of years ago I saw Chris Duff speak at Canoecopia - a worldwide paddling expo held in Madison WI. One of his talks was about his solo circumnavigation of New Zealand's south island - the same topic as this book.
Wow, Voyager!
By Bill Marsano. Chris Duff's photos, which are bundled together and whacked a little perfunctorily into the middle of this book, limp under the heading of 'snaps.' Duff belongs to the old school of kayakin' shutterbugs: compose any old how, so long as the bow of the boat is in the frame; shoot in any old light; and shoot, sometimes, any old subject. There's a darn nice snap of a Hooker seal here but what I really wanted was more pix of the damage (and later repairs) to his boat from the surf landing that nearly killed him. I'm just saying. (And the maps are even worse--clear, but seldom helpful.)
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Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Duff, Chris    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Kayaking    6. New Zealand    7. Sea kayaking    8. Sports    9. Travel    10. Travelers    11. Canoeing & kayaking    12. Journeys    13. Sports & Recreation / Kayaking    14. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

The Read more

Reviews (1)

Gives singles insight into how to meet and get the best deal
Before boarding for the high seas, take a look at this book.Gives singles a real look at what cruising will be like for them.What lines they should sail on, where to get the best value for the buck, and how to actually meet once on board.A really good guide for that single traveler who is thinking about cruising - regardless of age. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cruise ships    2. Ocean travel    3. Reference - Cruise Guides    4. Reference - General    5. Single people    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. Travel / General   

Reviews (21)

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY
I'm a Saudi. I was born and raised in SA, and I read this book upon arriving the US to pursue my studies (August 2005). I've found this book very outdated. If you would like to know about modern SA don't read this book. This book doesn't represent SA nowadays. When I was reading this book I thought I was reading about another country! Not the one I'd just came from. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY.

I am having trouble getting through chapter 1
I just started this book last night and haven't even made it through the first chapter.I had to check the reviews here to see why I'd even purchased the book in the first place (I buy a lot based on recommendations).I was shocked to see all the positive ratings.
Have been in Saudi Arabia-loved the book
I was in Saudi Arabia as a married woman-had no idea it could be so much fun. Genia certainly took chances but obviously had a great time doing it. She lived a life I never would have dared while living in The Kingdom. It is a great adventure-just wished the ending was a little different. Is she setting us up for a sequel? Sure hope so. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Medical - Nurses    6. Travelers    7. Travel writing   

Reviews (18)

I can't believe she did the whole thing!
I am a big fan of stories of artic adventure, and this is one of the best.In this day of snow mobiles and ATVs, we have a woman at 50 -- author Helen Thayer -- setting out to walk to the magnectic north pole, pulling her own sled and accompanied by an Inuit dog she had only known for a couple of days.On her first day out, she suffers such terrible frostbite of her fingers they become almost useless.(I would have called it quits right there.)Then come polar bears -- one the world's most deadliest creatures.And they keep on coming.Some curious, some life-threatening.But, she continues on her amazing journey, not for fame or fortune, but for scientific information for her program Adventure Classroom.There are some fantastic photos included and very helpful maps.Her writing style is breezy and compelling.It's trimph of the human spirit and the bonding of a dog and companion.What a terrific book.

An Explorer and Her Dog
An extraordinary true story of courage, determination and fortitude. Every chapter not only contains the wow factor but is an illustration of what the human spirit is capable of. Thayer is an accomplished writer who keeps the reader wanting more. An incredible story of a woman and her faithful dog Charlie, as they endure the hardships of polar travel on foot together with no dog teams or snowmobiles or resupply. Described in vivid, engaging detail
Polar Dream is the personal memoir of Helen Thayer, the first woman (and the oldest person at age 50) to travel on foot, unresupplied, to the magnetic North Pole. Her harrowing trek on skis for 27 days, aided only by a dog trained to warn her of approaching bears, is described in vivid, engaging detail, as are her seven encounters with polar bears which she survived through skill, luck and quick thinking. Black-and-white photographs, including ones taken by the author during her trek, enhanced a narrative of profound insights into the beauty and wildness of the arctic. Readers who appreciate true life adventure will enjoy the excitement and wonder of Helen Thayer's Polar Dream. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arctic regions    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Mountains    5. Nature    6. Nature/Ecology    7. North Pole    8. Polar Regions    9. Thayer, Helen    10. Travel    11. Travel - General    12. Washington (State)    13. Women explorers    14. Journeys   

Reviews (4)

the vera mystery is too much for me
I'm glad i'm not the only one obsessive enough to try to find out if Vera Jagendorf is THE Vera.More evidence:the author's residence is now listed as Portland, OR... Vera continued...
This book inspired me to visit some of Richard Lovett's favorite places.I love when a book has that effect.Even if you are not into cycling books like I am, just reading about the people and places should be enthralling.I think I've reread it about 4 times now.I am also wondering about the mysterious Vera.Since Vera is not such a common name, I have convinced myself the photographer is the same Vera, but I wish we knew for sure...

The Mystery of Vera
Just loved the heck out of this book.If you like cycling, you're almost certain to like this book, or at least, I think you will.Halfway through his journey cross country, the author meets Vera and rides with her for 5 days.Eight years after he wrote Freewheelin', the author wrote another book, The Essential Touring Cyclist, working with a photographer named Vera Jagendorf.If anyone knows if Vera from 'Freewheelin' is the same Vera from TETC, I'd certainly like to know.I certainly do hope so.Added 122205:I got in touch with the author, and the two Veras are one and the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Bicycle touring    3. Bicycles and bicycling    4. Cycling    5. Description    6. Description and travel    7. General    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. United States    11. Travel writing    12. USA   

Editorial Review

"It's well known that Mother River doesn't like a smart aleck," says Patricia McCairen. Accordingly, she plies her oars with reverence and skill on a sometimes hair-raising solo rafting trip along the Colorado River that winds though the stupendous stone valleys of the American Grand Canyon. Like the waters of the Colorado, which change from long, still stretches to boiling white water that barely clothes sharp rocks and hides holes that can suck down a raft, McCairen's moods--and even her name--change as the miles unwind. One moment, she's the cocky, athletic river guide Babe; the next, she's an earthier, more spiritual woman who answers to the name of Patch. Hours later, she seems more vulnerable, less convinced of her strength and joy in the solitude she so zealously courts. Read more

Reviews (12)

A book to savor
This is a wonderful read. It gracefully mixes adventure with honest self-revelation as it explores the potentials and pains of a woman at midlife. Especially meaningful to me were McCairen's meditations on solitude versus loneliness and her wrestling with fear of intimacy. Going alone into the wilderness is a radical act for a woman, and McCairen engages it with consciousness and skill. I was sorry when the book ended, I had grown to so look forward to curling up with it at the end of the day. I would welcome a sequel.

From Secretaryville to the Grand Canyon
I'm not a rafter, and have no particular interest in rafting, but this book somehow captured my interest and I read it in a couple of hours. Patricia has a poetic way of writing about nature and her adventures rafting over the Colorado, and she takes the reader along for the ride. I admire her greatly for her courageous decision to go it alone (at least most of the time) on a very hazardous journey. I hope she continues to write (and avoid that dreaded Secretaryville).

I wouldn't do it, but someone has to.
Experienced river-runner Patricia McCairen was suddenly faced with a choice when she found herself without companions for a trip through Grand Canyon. She could give up her permit and hope to get another at some point or she could go it alone. Certain she would be saved from her bravado she called the National Park Service to get special permission for a solo trip and was both surprised and terrified when permisssion was granted.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1940-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Colorado River (Colo.-Mexico)    4. McCairen, Patricia,    5. Rafting (Sport)    6. Rafting (Sports)    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Travel    10. Water Sports    11. White Water Canoeing And Kayaking    12. Women    13. Women And Sports    14. Arizona    15. Grand Canyon    16. Journeys    17. McCairen, Patricia    18. North America    19. Travel writing    20. USA   

Reviews (14)

Definitely mixed feelings about the book
I share both sides of the reviewers here. On the one hand, Pat Henry had great courage to undertake a solo trip around the world in a fairly modest boat. The multitude of things that went wrong -- Murphy's Law in action -- were indeed quite a trial for Pat. That alone makes for fascinatingly horrible reading. I've done a lot of sailing in the past, I've read several books on "blue water" cruising (including "Passage to Juneau"), and I would say this book is unique. The basic premise is admirable, Pat did manage her world sail tour, but she *is* the most whiny, self-absorbed, self-pitying, hapless person that you'll read about in the world of sailing. Geez, that was the first thing that struck me upon finishing the book! I don't think Pat was really prepared for such a voyage -- not financially, emotionally, nor psychologically. Reading this book is almost a "how-not-to" instruction manual, and it's also like coming upon the scene of a terrible auto wreck -- you can't look away and you can't leave until you learn the outcome.

She's no Tristan Jones
So... essentially, Pat Henry took off on the run from the IRS, abandoning her responsibilities, funded by the charity of others, without ever practicing, say, anchoring her boat until she hit the South Pacific, complains that she had no money yet didn't get a job, was unable to maintain a relationship, and wants us all to celebrate her journey of self-discovery. I would not apply the word "courage" to this endeavor. Gall, maybe.
Read Between The Lines
This book is one big rationalization from page one to the end. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Sail Boating    3. Sailing - General    4. Special Interest - Adventure    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Travel    7. Voyages And Travels    8. Sailing    9. Sports & Recreation / Sailing    10. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

For seven months Karin Muller traversed Vietnam--sometimes by motorbike, often by foot--covering 6,400 miles from the Mekong Delta to the Chinese border. Along the way she survives 52 motorbike breakdowns, 14 arrests, and one awful bout with scurvy. She plants rice with farmers, saves a few leopard cubs from the black market, learns to drive a passenger train, and gets to know a lot of people on her Ho Chi Minh Trail trek. Told honestly and humorously, the culture, pace, land, scents, problems, and beauties of Vietnam are evoked as Muller and Vietnam interact. Snippets of letters home (like "I traded some of my antihistamines for Tampax yesterday. What a relief" and "Am I really blood type A? It's important") highlight the details, while the strong narrative holds them together. Her pictures are excellent, the story riveting, and the writing a pleasure--good reading for a flight to Asia or a day at the beach. Read more

Reviews (27)

sad, sad egomaniac
I saw Karen at a reading years ago in SF when she was promoting this book. She could not speak Viet at all other than a few simple words. She made several inaccurate comments that made many Vietnamese Americans in attendance look at each other in puzzlement, but everyone was too polite to point out her errors to her. One of the commments was about how a truck driver's salary was less than the cost of postage of her letter to the US! Oh, my God! The woman has no idea what she was talking about at all. I didn't bother to read her book for years after that, but one day I found myself with time to spare and with only her book on the shelf at a friend's house.
Left a Sour Taste in My Mouth
I am not sure what it was, but after finishing this book I have a bad taste in my mouth. I applaud the intentions of the author and the subject matter is irresistibly interesting.However, it was hard for me to get into at first because the book kind of rambles and it takes a while to get into her style. The style ended up suiting the journey very well as it was a slow and haphazard journey through the various aspects of Vietnam. Modern Vietnam through Western eyes.
I first got turned onto Karin Muller's trip by her PBS website, http://www.pbs.org/hitchhikingvietnam/ Her story was engrossing and I think that I read every page on the site. I picked up the book a few days later and saw her film footage on PBS shortly after that. One needs to look at all three to get the complete picture. The book is good and stands out by itself, but the film and website add so much flavor and texture to the story. Karin Muller spent seven months in Vietnam as a simple vagabonding tourist. She experienced broken down motorcycles, breathtaking farmland, sketchy border crossings, scurvy, fields of rubies, saving leopard cubs at an animal market, arrests and planting rice with rural farmers. So does dwell a bit on the negative aspects of the "New Vietnam" and the book leaves a lot of the story out. Again, read the b