I really should have titled this “4 travel stories” since these are mostly specific parts of selected books that came to mind when thinking about enlightening voyage experiences. Tales of serendipity common enough to counteract soundbites of travel tragedy many modern media outlets tend to regurgitate for ratings.
Whether it’s you who needs a little convincing or that stubborn friend who won’t join you on an RTW, passages from these nonfictional tales can fortify large lacks of adventurous fortitude.
1. The Art Of Happiness (10th Anniversary Addition) By Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler
There is certainly a connection between compassion and happiness as several studies have shown. Those two feelings being the central themes of this examination of the Dalai Lama’s theories, blended with a scientific analysis of his ideas. It’s not always easy to be happy when traveling, especially when you’re subjected to some of the scams that target tourists. For those of you who can relate to such situations, I strongly recommend you read Chapter 6 of The Art of Happiness. You may never look at getting ripped off the same way again.
2. Long Way Round
One of 8 great motorcycle books that will ignite your wanderlust and one that has personally influenced my nomadic side. Long Way Round is the dual-diary of Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor, documenting their 3-month motorcycle journey around the world in 2004. Many of the negative comments about the book revolve around the fact that the two aren’t always happy and talk freely about the frustrations the road can bring. It is that aspect of the book I love however, as traveling certainly has a fair amount of crap stretches you laugh about later, after your first shower in 18 days. But one of the brighter (and funniest) tales in Long Way Round is the early chapter about Boorman and McGregor’s stay in Ukraine.
- Once you’ve read the story, be sure to check out the second part of the Long Way Round documentary to watch the experience unfold. Simply thinking about those scenes makes me chuckle.
3. The Autobiography of Malcolm X By Malcolm X and Alex Haley
The very moment I first opened the cover of this book I was unable to close it with exceptions for sleep, eating, and the occasional bathroom break. One of the most thoughtful sections of the The Autobiography of Malcolm X is Chapter 17, when he begins a series of visits to Africa and the Middle East before undertaking the Muslim pilgrimage, Hajj.
“I remember one night at Muzdalifa with nothing but the sky overhead I lay awake amid sleeping Muslim brothers and I learned that pilgrims from every land – every color, and class, and rank; high officials and the beggar alike – all snored in the same language.”
-The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Malcolm X was a staunch segregationist prior to that trip, however the communitas he witnessed in Mecca transformed him.
4. Thumbs Up Australia By Tom Parry
You might expect more than one disaster to happen to a British journalist and his French girlfriend, given they set off to travel nearly 13,000 kilometers…completely hitchhiking. Certainly Thumbs Up Australia [my previous review] is no fairly tale but as you’ll see toward the end of the story, the hitchhiking is really background to the human experience the travelers encounter.
This List Is Far Too Short, Considering The Possibilities
It’s tempting to add Jupiter’s Travels, The Pirates of Somalia, The Hidden Europe [my previous review], The Motorcycle Diaries, The Snake Charmer [previous review], Turkey: Bright Sun, Strong Tea…and so many others to the list above. Then there are all of your comments and stories about how traveling has shown you people are fundamentally good. Still, fear and scary stories about the world tend to stick in our memories. For the most stubborn around you, here’s how to combat 2.5 million years of evolution and prevent your paleolithic brain from scaring you out of travel.
You’ve read far and wide so I’m curious, what books or stories would you have added to this list? I look forward to your literary feedback in the comments below.
Malcolm X. Are you serious? He was a racist and surrounded himself with violent thugs.
You must have missed the point of what I said about him.
Actually,after he converted to Sunni Islam he changed his views.
I’ve got hundreds of travel books but the one that I recommend most to wanna-be long term travelers is Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts. Now, one of my biggest problems is what to do with all my travel books when I break loose and go traveling again.
Ha! Well you can only guess my answer…go digital!
I’ve read the Art Of Happiness when travelling around China by trains and that was such an inspiring book, really got into me. You should guys read it if you feel like the hope is lost or you don’t know what life is all about.You can get some inspiration there!
The Hidden Europe looks real interesting. Having just travelled some of the area recently, i am very fascinated by its history.
It’s a great book and very detailed about the history, facts, and culture of every country in Eastern Europe. I think you’ll enjoy it very much.
Add to this list Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi.
She sailed around the world from age 19 to 21 on a 26′ sailboat in the late 1980’s. Unbelievable adventure story. She started out as a teenage girl from NYC and ended her voyage as a much changed young woman and world traveler.
Her book inspired me very deeply! After reading her book in the early 1990’s it has been my dream to take off in a sailboat.
I’ve been sailing the Pacific coast of Mexico with my husband since 2010… what a thrill and what a great adventure.
Quite fascinating and inspirational that her adventure helped carry you on your own one as well! Thanks for sharing and adding Maiden Voyage to the list.
great choices Anil. I’ve been trying to find the long-way around documentary for a while now. I’ll have get my hands on it before I leave.
Really cool post that offers something a bit different from the run-of-the-mill travel article. We’ve included your blog in our latest Web Wrap! http://www.frugalmonkey.com/travel-news/frugal-monkey-web-wrap-26-april-2013.html
Thanks!
I, sadly, don’t read many books, mostly articles online. I think however, that any book that is originally foreign can give you some insight, however small, into a culture. Movies should also not be discounted. I recently saw “The Lady” which taught me about why Burma is the way it is. Also “The Island President” gives us insights into the grave situation the Maldives are in, facing catastrophic scenarios if the seas continue to rise.
That’s true and a good documentary can certainly point you to some good books where you can get in-depth detail about many travel topics.
After explaining to roughly everyone I met that I travel long-term by being an international house sitter, I wrote two books about how i did it and how you can do it, too. People are always curious about my unusual lifestyle. They think I won the lottery.
Surprisingly I found a book by Rick Steves (yes that Rick Steves)called Travel as a Political Act to be a really great book and gave me a completely new insight into why we travel. Highly recommended.
I haven’t read any of the books but they all seem really good! One of my favorite books that inspired me to travel is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
I’ve heard so much about it, I really need to add it to my reading list…
My favorite. Have a tattoo inspired by this one!! I <3 the Alchemist!
I DID NOT KNOW about the dual diary for long way round! I only ever did know about the docu on it (and its younger brother, long way down) and now to find out if they did a long way down diary as well. i believe that was a bit more frustrating because they had less time on their hands. ill have this bookmarked so i can go through them again. 😀
That’s a great list! not at all your typical travel book list. I’ve pinned it so I can remember to check them out when I’m in a country with an english bookstore! I’ve actually never read any of these. Great comments too.
Thanks everyone!
I would add the Alchemist for sure.. Or anything by Paulo Coelho for that matter!