THE ESCAPISTS’ TRAVEL LIBRARY

EUROPE: 9

AMERICAS: 2

AFRICA: 2

ASIA: 7

MIDDLE EAST: 1

THE POLES:

Travels With Bertha

Paul Martin (2012)

An eccentric exploration of Australia over 2 years, living out of an ancient Ford Station Wagon

I will be honest, I read this one one years ago. It was my first travel book, so it’s only right it should be the first in the library. Even now I can remember the feeling of really enjoying this book, at a time in my life when I hardly read. Surely this says everything! The list of eccentric characters is endless.

Cycling Home From Siberia

Rob Lilwall (2009)

A single 30-year-old Brit cycles 30,000 miles almost non-stop over 3 years on just £8,000

Fun, but lacked depth on many interesting countries. The countries that stood out the most in his travelogue were Siberia, Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan. The other chapters felt rushed compared to his in-depth descriptions of Siberia, even contracting Malaria and cycling through Afghanistan felt trivial!

Tip: Create a muggers’ wallet and have high pitched alarms to scare off wild animals

The Cyclist Who Went Out In The Cold

Tim Moore (2016)

A comically unprepared and sarcastically honest middle-aged journalist cycles through Eastern Europe on a Soviet era bicycle

I had never heard of Tim Moore before this book, now I’m desperate to read all his books! Tim’s witty and sarcastic humour won me other straight away. It can feel a bit like getting lost in a Blackadder sized list of comic references, but it’s intermingled with fascinating snippets of Soviet history.

Tip: You don’t have to be the epitome of athleticism to complete an adventure

No Way Down

Graham Bowley (2010)

Hour by hour account of the disaster on K2 in 2008

The gripping pace of the book turns the pages for you as you look for the climbers’ names on the next page to see if they’ve survived. The bravery, determination and discipline of the climbers against time and nature is incredible. I knew nothing of K2 before this book and now it is a name that will always conjure the power of nature and the loss of those who could not make it back. A must read for any adventurer and a cautionary tale.

Tip: There are no certainties in climbing a mountain such as this

Miracle in the Andes

Nando Parrando (2006)

A personal account of the 1972 plane crash in the Andes by a survivor

I was thoroughly moved by this book, I was in tears by the last chapter. Tears of relief for the survivors. The account touchingly conveyed the fear and strength of the survivors throughout the entire ordeal. Their will to survive was staggering and life affirming. I am still in awe of their story and am looking forward to learning as much as I can about the crash through the other survivor’s accounts.

Tip: Accidents and disasters are part of life not an interruption to let shadow the future

Sovietistan

Erika Fatland (2020)

A fascinating, amusing and revealing journey through Central Asia

I pre-ordered Sovietistan and then was too scared to read it encase it wasn’t as good as I’d hoped. I needn’t have worried! I love this book from beginning to end. Erika fills the pages with astonishing facts, absorbing interviews and intermingled histories of 5 Central Asian countries. A great introduction to some of the youngest and least understood countries!

Tip: Borders don’t necessarily define cultures, 
but they do define lives.

Hokkaido Highway Blues

Will Ferguson (1998)

Canadian Bigfoot hitchhikes the length ofJapan following the Sakura Front

At first he comes across as incapable of humouring any of the people kind enough to help him to the point of intolerance. Which is ironic since he yearns to be seen as more than a ‘Gaijin’. As the trip progresses I like him more and have a little laugh in each chapter. Though he does meet a lot of curious people and intersperses these with facts, I would have liked to learn a bit more about Japan.

(I was surprised to realise that this book was written when I was 3 years old and yet there were only a few clues: smoking indoors and he requests an alarm clock in a hostel. Also the reviews kept saying he would drop an emotional bomb at some point, never having noticed it I assume it must be in the unabridged edition!)

Tip: Accept that in some societies you will always be the outsider, but embrace this role

Pravda Ha Ha

Rory Maclean (2019)

A political tour of Eastern Europe since the Wall fell

I knew Pravda would focus on politics and social change but I also expected it to be part travelogue. Which a generous person may say it is. Whilst parts of the book were interesting, I am not a political person and found some chapters a slog of political ideology. The first and largest portion of the book explores Russia, which I found very interesting, but as soon as we left Russia the author seemed to descend in to political torrents rather than looking at how life has changed for the average person. I’m basing my review on the feeling I was left with at the end of reading: fatigued.

Tip: A country needs to face its dark past consciously in order to move on

Holy Cow

Sarah Macdonald (2004)

Australian women joins her long term bf in Delhi despite hating India and begins searching for her perfect religion

People have criticised Sarah for writing from a western perspective, but that is what makes it valuable (at first, as it demonstrates the culture shock and eventual adaptation. Though the travelogue is funny and shocking at points (chapters 1-4), it does become limited to a view from her privileged side line, in which she goes to a retreat every other chapter. I would have liked to learn more about daily life in India.

(I always save it till the end of the book to find out what an author looks like and I think, like me, you’ll be surprised!)

Adventures in Morocco

Alice Morrison (2019)

Travels around Morocco from the Sahara to the oases

Alice having loved the Arabic language and world since her 20s has created a life for herself in Morocco, showing us every part of life from the traders at the city medinas to the nomads of the Atlas Mountains. The book brims with affection for the country, but is told from the
carefree p.o.v of a moneyed westerner. The book was not the kind that will stay with you forever, but is an easy introduction to Morocco! (Score may be skewed as this is my first Morocco book)

Tip: Learning a language unlocks so many richer experiences

Gironimo

Tim Moore (2014)

Ever hilarious Tim sets out to conquer the 1914 3,000km race around Italy on an equally ancient bicycle

Tim always gets me laughing without fail. Combine that with my love of Italy and this book is one I could go to bed hugging. A laugh on every page and gruelling endurance tests throughout, I’m just as proud of Tim for finishing as his family and friends! His reflex reaction to stamina is comfortingly similar to mine – frustrated rage and queasy confidence. I’m adding this one to my Tim Moore pile!

Tip: Don’t have to be in your prime to conquer physical feats!

Consolations of the Forest

Sylvain Tesson (2011)

Tesson retreats to a cabin in the Siberian Taiga to find the peace missing from modern life

Tesson heads off into the wilderness with supplies of over 80 books, vodka and cigars to last the entire 6 months, plus a little more 90% proof hooch for when that all runs out. He hasn’t so much as run away from modern life as much as he has to indulge himself in his own ponderous prose.

– CANCELLED –

The Lunatic Express

Carl Hoffman (2010)

Travelling on the world’s most dangerous transport for 159 days

I loved the idea of this book, but the writing style was a bit of a let down. Carl spent 159 days travelling on the world’s most dangerous public transport (for which he was refused insurance), yet never once did he communicate a sense of urgency, danger or fear that brought the trip into a gritty reality. He is vaguely self-aware but fails to build a connection with the reader, instead casting himself as an eternal outsider.

TIP: Don’t mistake home and adventure as being mutually exclusive

Swahili for the Broken-Hearted

Peter Moore (2002)

Traveling overland from Cape Town to Cairo to get over ex-girlfriend

You would think that travelling the length of the African continent, through 12 countries by any means possible would be an unforgettable book. Unfortunately, either Peter Moore seems to have a knack for playing down adventure or I’ve become numb to travel memoirs. I think it’s the first as I feel I have learnt more about dealing with touts and beggars than I have about any of the 12 countries. It’s not a bad book, it’s just not that memorable. Nice guy though…

Tip: Learn how to haggle but don’t forget you can often afford to pay more

In Order To Live

Yeonmi Park (2015)

The journey of a North Korean defector who escaped as a child

Her childhood is unimaginable to most of us and despite the staggering odds Yeonmi’s strength has driven her to create a new life for herself. Her story in inspiring and one of the most powerful books I have read about life in North Korea.

Tip: You can choose to be strong even against great odds

The Politics of Washing

Polly Coles (2013)

A young English-Italian family move to Venice and explain the unspoken rules of Venetian life and the struggle with tourists

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It’s written in the style of an unorganised diary with random thoughts. Brings to light the difficulties of living in a city besieged by tourists and fighting to hold on to tradition. As well as daily struggles with Aqua Alta and how to deliver a dishwasher in Venice.

Spanish Steps

Tim Moore (2010)

Tim Moore embarks on the Camino de Santiago with a lovably obstinate donkey

Another laugh out loud trip with Tim Moore, this time punctuated with an equally smelly beast of burden. Tim and a donkey named Shinto undertake the 500 mile journey along the North of Spain. I really enjoyed it despite it not being as perilous as some of his other adventures.

The Salt Path

Raynor Winn (2018)

Walking the UK’s South West Coast Path after losing their home and posessions

This book inspired me to walk a section of the coast path myself and is a really mentally positive book. I didn’t think I would enjoy reading about a travel couple but found myself rooting for the duo. The husband and wife lose all their money and house in a bad investment and become homeless with style, spending their last pennies on a cheap tent and hike the coastline.

Going to Extremes

Nick Middleton (2001)

A trip to the wettest, driest, hottest and coldest places recorded on Earth

An unusual premise for a book but very interesting. You really feel each climate bearing down on you and wondering how on earth people can live in these places. At times the book can be a little slow but never dull.

Don’t Tell Mum I Work On The Rigs

Paul Carter (2005)

A shocking and hilarious account of working on the edge of society

I’ve never read anything like this. Paul makes his way around the world working on rough rigs, completely unfazed by the often lawless and tragic events around him. You won’t want to put this book down. When you do, you will wonder what have I just read?

Barbed Wire & Babushkas

Paul Grogan (2005)

Two guys set out to paddle a world first down the disputed river bordering Russia and China

This book shows two spontaneous kayakers zigzag across tense border crossings and cope with 10 hours sitting in a kayak at a time. Follow the two as they spend chance nights on guarded beaches and in random border towns.