City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing

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.Long Way Down
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Ewan McGregor, Charley Boorman

June 02, 2008
Long Way Down tells the tale of the second journey made by the two crazy guys. Their aim: to travel on motorcycles all the way from John O'Groats... but not to Land's End. Cape Town, no less! Along the way they arranged to make stop-offs with three different charities that they're involved with, in order to raise awareness and therefore hopefully more cash for these good causes. Because of this, the book was a real mixture of tension (bike problems, falling off, scary roads, border problems etc), fun (when everything is going right, and the guys are happy on the open road) and emotion (charity visits). It all made for an enjoyable and informative read. For a non-fiction title, there was a great deal of description of many of the places the guys ... Read More:
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.The Wild Places
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Robert Macfarlane

September 03, 2007
It woud be churlish to say that Robert Macfarlane's writing is not beautifully crafted and I wish I had his vocabulary and skill with words, but that's about as far as it goes. Much of this book seems to me to be pompous and smug. I get the impression that landsacape is a stage that Macfarlane uses to show how clever and sensitive he is. Most of the chapters have a small percentage about the so called wild place and a huge amount of pseudo intellectual background. Why he can't he just go to these places without the need to read forty books beforehand and then tell us all about them? There's also this slightly sanctimonious and quasi spiritual tone throughout - very hard to put my finger on, but it irritates me - it reminds of the writing that ... Read More:
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.Notes from a Big Country
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Bill Bryson

September 16, 1999
This is guaranteed to put a smile on virtually anyone's face.

Bryson's dry humour & witty observations of life's absurdity coupled with Kerry Shale's excellent delivery make this an easy winner.

The basic material is also very interesting so a wining combination all round.

I had this in the car & found myself sitting listening to it long after I had arrived at my destination - it's that good!
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.Venice
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Jan Morris

October 07, 2004
I decided to read "Venice" in preparation for a week-long stay in the Italian city.

Broken into three sections -- The People, The City, The Lagoon -- "Venice" is not a chronological history of the city but a meandering look at its past, present and future. Nor is it a guidebook, although it does contain a mine of information about what to see and where to go.

I think "The Times" probably described it best when they said it was "a classic love letter to Italy's most iconic city", because it is, indeed, a beautiful missive dripping with exquisite descriptions. I found it an enormously engaging and evocative read by an accomplished writer who really knows how to string a simile or two together.For example: "Venice is a cheek-by ... Read More:
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.Narrow Dog to Indian River
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Terry Darlington

April 07, 2008
I read Narrow Dog to Carcassone which I found entertaining enough apart from the author's writing style which I found more and more impenetrable the more tired I got. It was fresh and intriguing though, enough to make me want to read the sequel and I'm glad I did.

This, to my mind is a much better book than its predecessor. I think the prose, although still unusual is less dense and full of allusion than previously which makes it much easier to read and follow. I liked the narrative and the stories of the people and wildlife were great.

The blurb makes much of the fact that Terry and Monica are pensioners. This might put some people off, but they do not write, act or think like seventy year olds as traditionally portrayed and this ... Read More:
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.Narrow Dog to Carcassonne
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Terry Darlington

May 03, 2006
This is obviously a book that divides opinion. Personally I loved it and I had no problem getting into the story.

It seems like Terry just put his thoughts directly down on paper so sometimes they are a little inappropriate, as thoughts often are, but the book is all the funnier for it.

It probably helps if you like dogs (I have a whippet cross), you have an affinity with 'proper' pubs (oh yes) and if you are "of a certain age" (I'm not, but I'm not too far removed either). It probably also helps if you do a boring office job and dream of having a little adventure of your own (I do).

The experience of reading the book felt a bit like watching a particularly good episode of last of the summer wine or any episode of Dad's ... Read More:
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.The Motorcycle Diaries
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Ernesto "Che" Guevara

July 19, 2004
This is the short, eloquent account of Che's travels around South America. He is very descriptive and evocative and this book is not only a great travelogue, but it is also a great insight into what made Che become the revolutionary he did. It looks at the exploits and relationships he experienced on the road, looking day to day for the next meal, lift or bed. A good insight into this iconic figure and a damn good read to boot.
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.The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Bill Bryson

January 02, 1999
I think you either dig Bryson or you don't. This was the second book of his I read (first was Neither Here nor There). A year or so after I read the book I got this (on tape) to hear on holiday, and began listening in the departure lounge at LHR. Basically my wife had to virtually throw a fire-bucket over me since I was apparently making a spectacle of myself. Kerry Shale's rapid-fire delivery really makes this a great (if exhausting) listen. Even though I've heard it many times (and have attempted to mimic parts of it to friends a thousand times) I still don't get tired of hearing it. If the weather's crap and there's nothing on TV this is hard to beat for sheer pants-wettingly funny listening. The best bits are Kerry Shale's take on the Southern accent: "Can I HEP ... Read More:
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.Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Chris Stewart

June 03, 1999
This book is so well written and witty, describing an idylic life in Spain that I am sure many will be tempted to follow in Chris's and my own footsteps. I have been through the same story as this family, having lived in Spain for the past sixteen years, longer than Chris. I speak fluent Castellano, the same as him. My warning about his book is unless you can speak Spanish perfectly, you will never enjoy half the experiences described. If you are willing to learn the language, then "Driving Over Lemmons" is so good and an inspiration. If you are inspired and are up for it then Spain is still a good choice. My advice is read the book, learn to speak Spanish, enjoy and do the same. Wonderful read and a wonderful country. I am writting this review on the PC powered by my ... Read More:
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.Lost in the Jungle: A Harrowing True Story of Adventure and Survival
City Travel Guides > Books > Travel Writing
by: Yossi Ghinsberg

July 07, 2008
You don't have to be into travelling to enjoy this book - I found it to be utterly gripping as a story in its own right. True, the writing style isn't sophisticated, but that didn't take anything away for me. In the genre of 'Touching the Void', I was left turning each page gagging to know what was going to happen next. And all from the safety of my own armchair. Marvellous.
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