Reviews (86)

A lovely, lovely find...
I heard this book discussed briefly earlier this year on the Today Show and decided to order it since, at the time, I was in the throws of my own divorce.Ms. Gilbert chronicles her international journey of self-discovery with such amazing detail and tenderness and humor that I recommend this book to anyone who has found him or herself in a place or state that he or she would like to change or leave (I imagine, that's everyone!).The story is engrossing and the writing is skillful.I couldn't put it down, and I feel more empowered to follow my own dreams and heart after finishing the book.That's 5-star material if I've ever seen it.

Surprise - you are in control of your life....
A re-count of the author's year spent in Italy, India, and Bali in the wake of a difficult divorce.This book is easy to read and enjoyable.The author does an excellent job of providing her outlook on the variety of experiences she has + how they relate to her dealing with her "life issues."She eventually comes to the self-actualizing realization that she is in control of her life (as opposed to anybody else) and takes steps to make herself happier.

Boring
Just another self indulgent autobiography.It was too boring to read and had not much to say.If you are in for light reading, go for it.Do not expect too much from this one or you might be very disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1969-    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Description And Travel    9. Gilbert, Elizabeth,    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Travel    12. Travel writers    13. Travelers    14. United States    15. Women    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

"God, he was a smart kid..." So why did Christopher McCandless trade a brightfuture--a college education, material comfort, uncommon ability and charm--for death by starvation in anabandoned bus in the woods of Alaska? This is the question that Jon Krakauer's book tries to answer. While itdoesn't—cannot—answer the question with certainty, Read more

Reviews (886)

Only read if you can relate to the protagonist
I recently read Under the Banner of Heaven and loved Krakauer's writing, so I picked up Into the Wild.Krakauer didn't disappoint.His writing was honest, personal and to the point.He doesn't mince words, and while his bias is obvious, he presents evidence that reveals many sides of Chris McCandless.
But why?
This is defiantly not my typical read, but once I started I found it compelling, hard to put down, but that does not mean I did not have some problems with it.It seemed like the author tried too hard to make McCandless a sympathetic figure, almost a hero in an odd way.Everything Chris does though leads to his own destruction, he has no one to blame but himself.I don't have much experience in the wilderness so maybe I am just ignorant, but it sure seemed like he could have saved himself.Going off into the woods to die does not seem heroic to me.That being said , the author has done his research and is talented writer.He convinced me not to head off into the Alaskan wilderness alone!Speaking of tales of the wilderness I highly recommend "Across the High Lonesome!"

Jon's Quest
Jon tried to help us understand the unexpainable actions of a misguided youth.Only through Jon's vivid description of his own journey into the the Alaskan wilderness, did we come close to feeling Chris McCandless' intentions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1968-1992    2. Adventure and adventurers    3. Alaska    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography And Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Essays & Travelogues    10. General    11. McCandless, Christopher Johnso    12. Regional Subjects - West    13. Travelers    14. United States    15. Wayfaring life    16. West (U.S.)    17. McCandless, Christopher Johnson    18. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (1)

An absolute must
I went to sleep last night angry that I had to sleep and got up early, angry that I had not gotten up early enough to finish "Through the Children's Gate." As I finish this short review, I finish the book. Its last paragraphs I delayed reading because, as I neared the end, I realized how much I dreaded reaching the end. Now that I have, I'm eagerly awaiting the next collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Family    6. Gopnik, Adam    7. Home    8. New York    9. New York (State)    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Psychological aspects    12. Social Psychology    13. Social aspects    14. Travelers    15. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    16. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (43)

A Brilliant Addition To A Great Story
I can recall being 13 years old at summer camp in 1977 when I read the incredible non fiction book "Alive" by Piers Paul Read. It was a story that haunted me and stayed in my memory for many years. As I came of age, I wondered what had become of the two "expeditionaries", Nando Parrado and Roberto Cannessa, who traipsed their way for 10 days out of the wreckage of the fuselage of the wrecked Uruguayan Fairchild and through the Andes to freedom and rescue. It was then, a great thrill, to have Nando and Vince Rause write this awe-inspiring followup 30 years later. The factual chronology that Read used were incredible, but this firsthand account takes the story to a different, more personal level. His daily struggle to survive, both physically and spiritually, are nothing short of extraordinary. To paraphrase Nando, the opposite of death IS LOVE. This is a book that makes one believe it and seek to live it.

This book has the power to change your life!
First let me say I read about a book a week and this is the best book I have ever read.If your not hooked by page 42 or so I dont know what book could hold your attention.This story, this incredible story of the will to survive and the process the human mind goes through in the face of unimaginable pain, suffering and starvation should be manditory reading for everyone.

Even the casual reader will be glued til the end
After reading an excerpt of the book in a outdoors magazine, I knew I had to buy and read this entire book. I am not a frequent reader, and I feared that I would end up buying this and not finishing it as I so often do. But I knew just a few pages into the book that I would finish it. I had too many questions that I knew would be answered if I finished it. The only real certain part(having never seen the movie 'Alive!') was that Nando would make it out, since he wrote the book. But past that, I had no idea who would and wouldnt survive and the series of events about to unfold.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Aircraft accidents    2. Andes Region    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography And Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Cannibalism    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Survival after airplane accidents, shipwrecks, etc    10. Travelers    11. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (38)

He phoned this one in.
Deeply disappointing in quality and quantity for this Bryson fan. I order his titles automatically, but would have passed on this had I read the reviews first and realized it was a CARE puff piece .

An easy-to-read introduction to Africa
This is a good-humored and entertaining record of Bryson's visit to Kenya.It's a short book about a short trip, and so it would make a good read for someone just beginning to get interested in Africa.

Bill Bryson's African Diary
Though short, the sad realities don't necessitate a longer one.As usual, Bryson's writing is very enjoyable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Bryson, Bill    4. Description    5. Description And Travel    6. Kenya    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Travel    9. Travelers    10. History / Africa   

Editorial Review

In the world of contemporary travel writing, Bill Bryson, the bestselling author of Read more

Reviews (192)

Not one of his better works
This collection of short essays he published in an English paper (and meant for an English audience) seem to miss the mark for American readers.It's as if he published this because he needed money.There was nothing original in this book, nothing really funny and what few authentically funny parts there were seemd trite and at times exaggerated.
A minor work of collected news columns
Not particularly interesting or funny. None of the ridiculous turns of language of a Dave Barry column, no elder-statesman crabbiness like Andy Rooney's. Just routine bitching about airlines, office supplies, and so on. Save it for "A Walk in the Woods" or "A Short History of Nearly Everything"

Good, but Bryson can be preachy
Bryson has been one of my favorite authors for years now - the first thing of his that I read was a magazine article comparing American weather extremes with those in his beloved England.This collection of his writings on things American has me confused.Most of it, as his wife points out, is griping about this and that.Bryson has a tendency to talk down anything that doesn't fit into his view of how life ought to be and a maddening myopia when it comes to understanding why things are the way they are in this modern world.Balancing that though is his self-deprecating humor and his beautiful writing skills.There is a piece on global warming in this book that all ought to read.So, basically, even though he is preachy, and a bit gripy, he is laugh-out-loud funny and writes so very well that I will keep reading him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Anecdotes    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bryson, Bill    7. Description and travel    8. General    9. Literary    10. Social life and customs    11. Travelers    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Travel writing    16. USA   

Editorial Review

If you enjoyed Read more

Reviews (20)

Beautiful memoir!
Through this well written memoir you get to learn a lot about Africa, specially about Rwandas history. Rosamund's life story is very interesting, the choices she made, the oportunities life offered to her and that she took. It's great to see all the good deeds she made and the things she achieved inspite of all the caos Rwanda has gone through in the last decades. She takes care of lots of orphan kids and shelters them at her property. She does her best to help these kids become the best they can be even they live surrounded by danger. I enjoyed the book very much and learned more about Africa and about humanity as well.

50 years are artfully packed into this memoir
What a well-written book! It reads like the memoir that it is, and memoirs require special storytelling skills when they cover an entire 50 years.And this is what the book does--covers 50 years of the author's life and Rwandan history.
Fascinating look into Rwanda's history
My interest in Rwanda was spurred by watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and reading "The Poisonwood Bible" (which is set in next door Congo).This book follows the life of a young woman that marries an African adventurer and goes there at a fairly young age.She winds up spending practically the rest of her life there, and provides a unique and interesting perspective on Rwanda's history.Watching "Hotel Rwanda" gave me only a snapshot - leading me to think that Hutus were crazy blood thirsty savages going after Tutsis.Well, many of them were, but this book gave me a little of the background as to why the Hutus are so crazy and militant.Rwanda certainly has had a turbulent history.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Carr, Rosamond Halsey    6. Central Africa - History    7. Country life    8. Description and travel    9. Ethnic Cultures - General    10. Historical - General    11. Rwanda    12. Social life and customs    13. Travelers    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. Biography: general    17. Travel writing   

Reviews (18)

Any interested in adventure travel will find this a fine, absorbing survey.
A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler tells of an early sightless adventurer who fought the slave trade in Africa, survived captivity in Siberia, and hunted elephants in Ceylon - among other things. He was an amazing explorer of the early 1800s - and a celebrity of his times - but died in obscurity that has lasted until now. A SENSE OF THE WORLD uses much research to recreate James Holman's life, times, and adventures and provides a vivid memoir hard to put down: any interested in adventure travel will find this a fine, absorbing survey.
A Sense of the World...Wonderful!
Well I just turned my last page in A Sense of the World today, with reluctance and great satisfaction!I absolutely loved it.I'm starting my second year here at college and find myself immersed in the sciences, study and the routine of academics.This book, which I heard about on NPR, really enlightened my days as I read along the travels of James Holman.For me, it provided a fresh glimpse into another world, and an escape from the work of my studies.I wish I could write like Roberts, because I cannot express what the book meant to me.
Kindred Spirits Ignited
There is a driving force in myself and others I know to go and search the new and unexplored in the world. This is not stated in arrogance, by any means. It just an "is".This account of James Holman was the single most inspiring true story of a traveler in its purest definition of the word. It brought new meaning to the word "fearless" in my life and I believe my approach to journeying has thus been transformed. Kudos to Jason Roberts for his perseverance and brilliant portrayal of a man who might have lived in obscurity forever. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th And 19th Century Description And Travel    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Discovery And Exploration (General)    8. England    9. Specific Groups - Special Needs    10. Travelers    11. Voyages and travels   

Reviews (57)

my favorite klosterman
i absolutely adore this book! it has amazing quotes that just struck me. it's not so much about the artists that died-that was for the magazine he was writing for, this was about his journey, thoughts, and happenings on the way. it's an awesome book, and it actually makes you think, which is a beautiful thing today.

Killing Yourself To Live
Briefly: I enjoyed this book.I enjoyed the writing.I enjoyed the references to musicians and other cultural icons.I disagreed with many, if not most of his assertions about the the value of certain kinds of music and musicians, but I enjoyed reading them nonetheless.I didn't mind the fact that much of it was an examination of his own relationships with women.If that's what he wants to write about, fine.I think he had interesting things to say about those relationships and I enjoyed reading them.I kind of feel as though I learn something about myself when I hear about how other people deal with relationship issues like this.I think the people who have written negative reviews were basing them less on what the book is than on what it's not.Anyone considering buying this book should be aware that it is not about music history.It's a funny (IMO) book about one particular guy's views on music, pop culture and his girlfrieds.I liked it.

It's probably more like 65% of a True Story
Killing Yourself to Live is confusing, if you take a literal approach to the book. And that I think, is where this book suffers. I too was very interested and excited to read about the the places at where some of the legends of rocks faded away forever. Lennon, Cobain, Ronnie Van Zandt, Elvis, etc. Somehow the death of these people as well as others remain in the American psyche as most of them created memorable and poignant songs of their generations. In many ways, this book to me, was a final closure to these singers and songwriters as I needed to know where their final goodbyes were, for better or for worse. Unfortunately, this book never took me there. In fact, I felt as if I was reading Klosterman's diary more than an hommage on American musicians. And that to me was not very exciting.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Death    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Genres & Styles - Rock    7. Music    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Popular Culture    10. Popular Culture - General    11. Rock Music    12. Rock musicians    13. Social aspects    14. Travelers    15. United States    16. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (88)

A PLEASING READ
Read this one severl years ago, when it was first published, and it has stuck with me since that time.As other reviewers have pointed out, yes, the author can be a bit naive at times and no, he is not Heminway.This is the story of a young man on a personal journey.We do not even have to question his motives as they are his own.We do not have to agree with his conclusions, they they too are his own.The nice thing is, this young man took a journey, had an adventure and had the nerve to write about it.This book, and it's follow up "The Walk West," have been out for a number of years now and have been extremely successful.A lot of people have truely enjoyed them (myself included).This sort of work tends to draw out the rock throwers after a few years.Would strongly suggest you read this one yourself.It does not take that long and you will may quite well like what you find.As a added note:I note that several reviews have taken almost a venomous view as to the author's relationship to his traveling companion, a dog.While I agree, a dog is not a person, I do understand how the author could and apparently did become so attached to his pet.I travel with a dog, have for years, as my only companion, and you do tend to attribute qualities to your four legged fuzzy friend that many cannot see.All in all, recommend this one highly.

Exciting story with interesting ideas
Even before I had ever heard of this book, I wanted to do what Peter Jenkins did and just hit the road.So my judgement might be more than a little biased.
Very Interesting Book
Peter Jenkins wrote an book in this one.It needs to be noted that it is not a work of art, nor a great wonder in nonfiction writing.Of course, the author did not intend it to be.I found it very inspiring to read an individual's account of something of this nature.I would pass this book along to anyone searching for a read that will capture their imagination. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1951-    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Description and travel    4. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    5. History    6. History: American    7. Jenkins, Peter,    8. Travel    9. Travelers    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Walking    13. History / United States / General   

Reviews (60)

Right up there with Frances Mayes, for sure.
I felt obliged to give this four stars instead of five only because I could not relate with Mrs. De Blasi not matter how hard I tried (did that rhyme?).And I DID try - very hard in fact.I found myself WANTING to relate because her's was SUCH a story of faith and risk and love and adventure.But at the end of the day, I, personally, would have booted Mr. Moody, "the stranger" out on his butt in two shakes and told him to paddle his sorry behind back down the canal.
A fantastic book
Few books make me both misty-eyed and laugh out loud... This was one of them.Can't recommend it highly enough, even if you don't care to move to Venice in the near future.

Absolutely Wonderful!
This book is truly magnificent. It is a beautiful and very realistic love story (both with the country and the man). I identified very much with the story and with Marlena's character and her willingness to put-up with a difficult husband that she is very much in love with. Marlena De Blasi is an inspiration to everyone who wishes to "always be a beginner" and who wants to live life to the fullest. This is also a very sensual book, so many flavors, smells, sensations.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. De Blasi, Marlena    4. Description And Travel    5. Europe - Italy    6. General    7. Homes and haunts    8. Italy    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Social life and customs    11. Travel    12. Travelers    13. Venice    14. Venice (Italy)    15. Women    16. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

Franz Wisner had the world by the tail. He was engaged to the beautiful Annie, with whom he shared a passion for conservative politics and a command of quotes from the movie Read more

Reviews (126)

It was almost better than my own honeymoon!
Franz Wisner AND his brother are funny, smart and so very brave!I found this book in the travel section of my local bookstore, but it very much deserves its place on the NY Times Bestseller List (where it's been for 15 straight weeks at the time of this review).Move that book to the front of the store! You will love this book for several reasons:
Good Title: Bad Book
Not witty enough to be funny.Not deep enough to be heartfelt.Not written well enough to have been published.I got a great idea why his fiance dumped him and why his boss demoted him, but I have no idea why any editor gave the 'thumbs up' to this mess.I gave the one star for the title.It was the most interesting part of the book.

Don't let the title scare you...
Don't let the title scare you. It's not what it seems!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. General    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Siblings    5. Travel    6. Travel - General    7. Travelers   

Reviews (28)

One of My New Favorite Books
Before beginning this review, I read the reviews of others; good and bad.I'm shocked at the venom spewed by people who called Erik Weihenmayer an arrogant jerk based on what they read.I had the opposite impression, but grant that the essence of an individual cannot be captured in the pages of a book.Many, many biographies have been written, yet, all fall short of completely describing the individual.Erik displayed unabashed love for his family, his wife, his friends, even his guide dog.He spent equal time describing his failures and his triumphs.He exposes his frailties by describing the trial and error involved in learning to effectively teach sighted children.He points out that the road to his successes were not his alone, but his, his family's, his wife's, his climbing partners', even his young students who were insightful and helpful when it came to his teaching.I especially liked that he described the antics, the pranks and the everyday 'slice of life' moments.I thouroughly enjoyed this book, so much that I can't imagine how anyone could NOT like it.But, there are all kinds people in this world and we all make it go 'round.I'd give it a perfect five, but it stops short of telling about climbing all seven summits.I'd prefer he'd waited until then to write his bio.

Soar to New Heights
I just finished reading the most wonderful book I have ever read.It's personal, it's a journey, it's an inspiration.And I don't even know how to make a tribute to the author.He seems like one of the more wonderful people in this world.The fact that he did what most of us couldn't is phenomenal; the fact that he enjoyed it is more. I was absorbed with this book from beginning to end.
Touch the Top of the World
I met Erik years ago and remember admiring his job.He was a blind man, on his own, teaching children.He cracked up over my high pitched voice.I could go on, but years later, we got in touch and I read his book.You see, this guy never complained or showed what he had been through.He was confident, independent...yet searching.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Blind athletes    6. Mountaineering    7. Mountaineers    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. Sports - General    10. Travelers    11. United States    12. Weihenmayer, Erik    13. Biography & Autobiography / Adventurers & Explorers   

Editorial Review

When Rita Golden Gelman traveled to Mexico during a two-month separation from her husband, she hoped to satisfy an old craving for adventure and, in the process, rejuvenate herself and her marriage. Little did she know it was the beginning of a new life, not just as a divorcée, but as a nomad of the world. Since 1986, Gelman has had no permanent address and no possessions except those she can carry. She travels without a plan, guided by instinct, serendipitous opportunities, and a remarkable ability to connect with people. At first her family and friends accused her of running away, but Gelman knew she had embarked on a journey of self-discovery and a way of life that is inspiring and enviable.Read more

Reviews (89)

Anti-American arrogance
The author leaves a rocky marriage and her twenty-ish year-old children and sets out for frugal nomadic adventures around the world.While in Mexico, she litters with the locals, trying not to offend and to fit in.In Nicaragua, she finds out that the American journalists had it all wrong.The Sandinistas are the people.The war is "Reagan's War," and she feels anger towards his policies.Although raised in a Jewish household, a trip to Israel stirs up no spiritual feelings.In the Galapagos Islands, she lucks out on getting a cut rate on an expensive cruise, but the boat breaks down, resulting in her booking a more economical cruise, so she reminisces about a past boat trip, where everyone (including herself which she fails to mention) can afford the high price.Unfortunately that was with ugly Americans of which one-third tended to be especially irritating.The mostly European econo-tour environment is better.In Indonesia, she drinks from the skull of a sacrificed neighboring tribe member and feels the taste of...cannibalism???She foists herself on the busy, arrogant orangutan studier, Dr. Galdikas, but ultimately loses out when the doctor treats her poorly.The book she insists on writing with and for the doctor is never published and you can feel the sour milk of her words.A wonderful prince tells her he's done the things in life that he was meant to do and is ready to die and that (even so) he will teach her and show her Bali from the inside.She arrogantly claims that his words mean that her education is his final duty in life.
Inspiring!!
I read this book quickly because I was fascinated with the adventures of this bold woman. I liked her narrative voice and felt like she was someone with whom I would want to travel.

This story is movie worthy
If you've ever been interested in traveling the world, this story is a must read.I met Rita as she made one of her 'pit stops' to the United States.She came to our school on the Navajo Reservation to present her children's stories.She is authentic, and even her visit to the rez contained a story worthy of the many you find in this book.I am waiting for the second volume to this amazing tale, as she continues to travel the world.You must read this! ... Read more

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

Reviews (15)

I Can't Do it Justice
This is a wonderful book, easy to read and will appeal to you no matter what your gender, age, race, color, creed...
Great family tale
Since I barely watch TV, I had no idea who Mike Leonard was.He works for NBC, and contributes to the Today show.I was really impressed with this first book.It has the main aspects I love in a good memoir, humor, self-effacing honesty, wit and history.Mike takes his eccentric parents, 80'ish, and three of his grown children on a motorhome trip across America.Oh, the stories you'll love in this one.
Pleasant reading, but a little pointless.
I think this book was a little too personal to be widely interesting to a large readership.The writing style was pretty good, and there are a lot of pretty funny incidents.But, in a way, it was easy to put it down and forget to pick it up again.I had to read it for my book club (and paid for the book!) or I probably would have set it aside and picked up something more compelling.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. Irish American families    9. Irish Americans    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Recreational vehicles    12. Travelers    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (58)

Almost mediocre
As an American with shoddy French skills who has been living in the Il de France for the past six months, I found this book incredibly superficial at best and whiny and self-indulgent at worst.First of all, to call this book a love story is ridiculous.Frederic has less presence in the book than her pedigreed dog (or was THAT the "love story"?). From what I read, poor old Frederic seemed no more than a ticket to stay in France, rent free, because she had nothing better to do.
Really funny and interesting
I LOOOVE this book, it has made me laugh to tears. I am half French-half Latina, leaving in the US with my American husband, so I totally relate to Sarah as an uprooted expat. But also, as a French, I find her analisys on French people really accurate. This book is a MUST read for bicultural couples, it can shed a - often desperatly - needed light on their struggles, plus it is deeply entertaining, Sarah's style is witty and fun, and her analisys is profound. This is one of my favorite books! But, I must add that people that have never lived abroad may not get it...

Loved this book
This is a wonderful book.Anyone who has ever been to France, plans to go, thought you could emulate the French style or ever thought you could be mistaken for a French person (not possible), or loved two countries, this is the book to read.I wish it were longer so that I could have stayed with Sarah to learn more of her experiences in that beautiful country.As a result of reading it I will pay more attention to the clothes I wear and get rid of some schmockties (sp) I thought were OK.This book is a little gem.I will recommend it to all my friends but I will keep my own copy to read again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Europe - France    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Travelers    8. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (168)

Ahhh the Arrogance....
Well, it's been a long time since I read this book. Though it left a lasting impression.
I guess this doesn't surprise me...
I haven't read this book, therefore, I really don't deserve to comment on the lot of it. However, I had been a HUGE Rush fan throughout the many years that the band were together prior to the 80's. Reading some of the reviews of this book I seem to get a very clear picture of the kind of man that Neil Peart REALLY is, and have therefore nothing but disdain to offer him as a review in return.
Motorcycles and emotion
I'm not an avid book reader by any means, but this one I read cover to cover in record time.I was drawn to it by the romantic idea of riding a motorcycle coast to coast and all over, but Neil's emotional situation really added to it the expirience.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Composers & Musicians - General    5. Composers & Musicians - Rock    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Travelers    8. Biography & Autobiography / Composers & Musicians    9. Music    10. Autobiography & Biography