Books I have read
On Foot Through Africa, Ffyona Campbell
Great book. She describes all the hurdles she had to go through walking across Africa. She does it for herself. Very frank book. Frank about herself and what she felt of others.
A Walk Across America, Peter Jenkins
Describes a walk that resulted in a rather spontaneous decision to "take off". This book has a very different tone from the above book. It is a "goody goody" book and tells you about nice things that people do for strangers. Indeed he spent weeks at strangers homes as one of their own. I could probably not see myself do that. I would rather just observe and move on. I would not want to participate (I think). Nice read though.
Clear Waters Rising, Nicholas Crane
Nice book about a great walk. Walked across the mountains of Europe. Very inspiring, bought this book while I was in France and shortly before I started by bike ride. In some way reading this book reinforced by will to complete the ride. The mountain beauty he describes was around me. Makes you want to "take off".
Alone on the Great Wall, William Lindesay
Describes the author's run across the great wall of china. A very different view of the people of china. This book did not leave as much an impression on me as did other books. It is probably since I am not into running.
A Walk in the Wood, Bill Bryson
This guy is very witty. This walk was obviously taken so that Bryson could write this book, not the other way around. Bryson describes his walking half Appalachian trail with a buddy. I especially liked to winter hiking descriptions.
Notes from a Small Island, Bill Bryson
Excellent book. Bryson takes a last trip Britain before leaving for America. He has the nack to observe little things on everyday life and takes pleasure in having an opinion about everything. Guaranteed to send you in splits of laughter.
Notes from a Big Nation, Bill Bryson
Funny, funny, funny. Is a collection of columns that Bryson wrote after moving back to America. Every one describes a distinctively American quirk. Mall walking groups, climate controlled cards, calling people by their first names, 24-hour malls. I too have come to America from a very different (and much more formal) culture so can relate to his observations. Have read this book several times. Laughing aloud every time.
There's No Toilet Paper... on the Road Less Traveled, edited by Doug Lansky
Collection of humorous travel essays. It has been a while since I read this book.
To The Ends Of the Earth, Paul Theroux
Nice collection of excepts from Theroux's writings. The collection seemed quite incoherent though.
Surfing the Himalayas, Frederick Lenz
I don't remember this book being anything special. I bought this book just because it was on sale at B&N.
Red dust : a path through China,Ma Jian
Very nice book. Chronicles the wanderings of a intelligent, frustrated middle aged man though China. For Ma Jian, this journey through china is an escape from his private and public troubles. This book makes no pretense and the writing style varies between very factual to highly ornate. The descriptions are very grotesque at times (at one place it is implied that fresh human placenta was used as dumpling stuffing) but, truth ... as they say, can be stranger, or in this case, more revolting, than fiction. Excellent down-to-earth book. Highly recommended ... definitely something I would like to do someday.
The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiessen
Lackluster book. The author takes a mediocre journey through the Himalayas. Provisions are carried by a bunch of porters and route selected by a scientist, both (someone else carrying provisions and selecting routes) of which quickly make a journey unattractive to me. The narration is driven by a recent personal tragedy (his wife died) and too often drifts into Zen Buddhism. (Caveat: I read only 2/3rd of the book.)
In Patagonia, Bruce Chatwin
Excellent book. Very well researched, increasingly brilliant towards the later portions. Chatwin presents an engrossing history of Patagonia from the worlds perspective. Sections are short and to the point. Most subjects are described in one or at most three sections. Helps keeps the narrative moving. Chatwin acheived a very good combination of detailed day-to-day description and overviews of historic events. Provides good references within the book and as an appendix.
Tracks: A Woman's Solo Trek Across 1,700 Miles of Australian Outback, Robyn Davidson
A very honest book. One can feel the triumphs and tribulations of Robyn. Her fascination for camels is very entertaining. One can imagine such fascination for horses and dogs, but camels make it very interesting. The honest part is where she admits to selling herself to National Geographic for the money, something she would be much happier without. Reminds me of how Ffyona Campbell hated the BBC following her ("On Foot Through Africa"). Her description of the actual trip is quite gory at times, but in the context of the whole book ... also necessary.
The Places in Between, Rory Stewart
Very good contemporary book for great insight into the daily lives of rural Afghanistan. The books starts out very slow and he spends too much time talking about the two guards that were initially escorting him. However, the later part of the book is very readable and frank. This journey is indeed an acheivement, especially given the times during which he took it (just after the fall of the Taliban).
In Sunburnt Country, Bil Bryson
After reading several of his books I thought I have had enough of him. Apparently not, this book is quintenssial Bryson. Witty and informational. Some editions contain an appendix on reports on the Sydney Olympics, funny as hell. His ability of observe a people and supplement these observations with appropriate history is remarkable.
Books I would like to read
A Bike Ride: 12,000 Miles Around the World, Anne Mustoe
Jaiwant Mulik