Adventure, and travel, and being unafraid to go against society in things that matter
340897
The book opens in a trek across the desert in 1890 to visit an ancient monastery. As the trek goes on sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes reflect back on the past 30 years of their unconventional lives, from childhood to middle age, and how God has worked through trips abroad from Chicago to often reveal what He wanted them to do next with their lives, leading Rebecca to study history and languages, and Flora into work with the poor, bringing people into their lives such as the two young people traveling with them now, Soren and Kate, who are also given moments to reflect on how they got to this point. Through it all, readers are taken on adventures through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, as well as showing how two women who want to follow God versus society manage life in late 1800s Chicago.

I read devoured this all in one sitting thanks to a six hour flight. And I loved every page. I sometimes cringe to find characters with my name, but I fully embrace sharing a name with this Becky. I get her, especially her need to learn and travel. But I also applaud her daring to be different if she feels that is the way God has called her. Flora is the more tenderhearted of the two sisters, and she balances out Becky well. I sometimes felt like she acquiesced a little too much to Becky's whims, but she also shows a backbone when it is needed, as is demonstrated in Soren and Kate's stories. I loved all the travel in this and exotic locales, and the way Austin wove in real archeological discoveries. Kate and Soren's stories are inspirational in seeing the way the sisters are used to help the poor of the city and change their lives for the better. Overall, I found the entire story moving as Austin highlights how God can use people who are willing to follow Him even down hard roads, inspiring my Christian walk. It was written with a good pace to keep you turning pages through over 400 pages, and because you spend so much time with the characters you really get to know them well. By the end they feel like old friends. A well-woven tale, as the story changes perspectives it picks up from someone else's backstory so that you get the whole tale by the end. Recommended to anyone who likes historical fiction with some clean romance, fans of Christian fiction, and fans of travel stories.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. (One character's plot line involves getting trafficked for prostitution but she escapes from the brothel before anything happens.) The Chicago Fire and its horrors is depicted, severe poverty and deaths that can result from lack of medicine and nutrition depicted, some other perilous situations.
1393502
Moving across continents and seas, this adventure is an historical and spiritual journey for the reader. The latter moves from one character to another learning interesting things about far countries, religions, habits and ways of interpreting the world around us. It's the beginning of a quest
1370482
This is about one women's experience with teaching in a country that strips a person of any creative thought.  Where fear is ever present and determines what you say and do.  All this with nasty food, lack of real current events, and constant monitoring.  One such trip would be enough for me.
4641778
I enjoyed this middle-aged perspective on adventure. I wouldn't say its an adventure that would impress a crazy, adrenaline junkie type person. But you could tell he pushed himself to limits out of his comfort zone.  The exceptions that we find that we have no experience with in the U.S. are the militaristic command of the surrounding countries. That would be way out of my comfort zone, yet this individual chose to "brave" those conditions. I had to look up several terms, word meanings and colloquialisms. This made it kind of fun reading!
473917
Ive ridden across east africa, alps, costa rica.  Some of the situations that they get into are really what you deal with.  Good to watch if you are thinking of riding in any 3rd world countries... May not be entertaining for a non rider or non adventurer...
698210
Life is a Wheel is a marvelous book. The book is both adventureas cycling across the country inevitably isand autobiography. The author, Bruce Weber, 57 at the time of the trip, is an interesting character with a difficult history (his mother was quite disabled, limiting his parents lives, and his early life, and leaving him unable to make romantic commitments). Webers maternal uncle once told him that his father was a saint for not fleeing the situation.

Weber, neither athlete nor natural born cyclist, discovered cycling as a means to travel only at age 30, and took his first cross country trip at 39. (I took my one and only cross-country bicycle trip at 22, in 1975, having dreamed about doing it since I was 10.) Now, he sets off once again, from Oregon to his home in Manhattan, not knowing at the outset if he will prove vigorous enough to make it well into middle age.

Of course he succeeds, through a number of adventures that test his mettle, though none of these match that of the bicycle trip he took through Vietnam shortly after the US established diplomatic relations with that countrywhich occupies a chaptersoon after his first cross-country trip.

Weber also paints a positive picture of Americared state as well as bluewhere people all over are very helpful.

Besides succeeding at riding across the country at an advanced age, Weber finally succeeds in a romancewith a long-time friend and fellow NY Times reporterwhich began on a group bicycle trip in Provence a year or so before this trip, and which continues to blossom when she rides with him for a few days towards the end of the trip. Three years later, they are still happily together.
4492704
Sarah is confronted with many of the social issues of our time.  Having just begun her young adult life, she has to face the evils of generations past and her own peers.  Terrorism, environmental destruction, power mongers, food insecurity, and a monolithic controlling government all push Sarah to the limit.  With such heavy issues this book could have be plodding and depressing.  Rather it's a lively, life affirming adventure that's a pleasure to read.  Written in a single voice you learn about the upside down world Sarah lives in right along with her.  What is this new world order and how it got that way is a mystery that is slowly unraveled with false starts and twists that creates a mind maze.
3494379
We're all on our own individual adventure through life, and it's often confusing.  We don't come with owner's manuals.  Many people get confused - confused and afraid - and stuck living a life that they know is not right for them yet afraid to do something different.  That was Judy Edwards until she had a vision to travel the world on a voyage of self-discovery, knew that she had to do so, and then went and did it!

"Journeys" is the story of that experience, and a very interesting experience at that.  In over her head from the very start, Judy faces fear after fear, overcoming them through faith and with action.  In the process she becomes a new person and an inspired painter.  By the end the journey that at first seemed crazy, and that threatened to break up her family, was a blessing for everyone.

Judy's telling of the tale is as courageous as her journey itself.  She tells it like it was, sharing intimately her own confusion, fears, and mistakes.  In doing so she provides a real life story that can help others who are facing similar questions in their own lives.
1852784
Before reading this book, I was unfamiliar with hiker culture and hadn't even heard the term "thru-hiking."

That being said, I really got lost in this world, taking more than a few long lunches and staying up later than a responsible adult should. The stories of the passing through hikers built a sense of adventure that made me want to have an adventure of my own, while the characters were believable and their discussions thought provoking, exploring meaning behind their actions.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a peek into a world they may not have known about, or who enjoys a good adventure.
3800121
Debu's journey brings together many opposites: east and west, thoughts of  adults on the young, old country -- new country, Hinduism -- Christianity,  tradition and modernity.  His odyssey takes him from an ancient land to a  new one; sacred rivers flow through each, he creates himself anew as he  moves between cultures.  It is a voyage of discovery, but not just of  places and environments and new friends and colleagues; there is an inner  voyage that takes place too.  In this kind of journey -- which takes place  over decades, on several continents -- although most of these stories are  set in Idaho in the last 20 years -- there is ample room for reflection,  and doubt and crises of identity.  Do I belong to one culture?  Or another?  Or does that question even have meaning any more?  Not least of the gifts  of this book is that as Debu ponders the changes that have come about in  himself, among his fellow Indians who have come to the United States, and  in everyone who has come to the American West, he sees himself in new ways,  and we see ourselves in a new light too.  That is a valuable gift.
3723962
I read travel literature whenever I get the chance and Sean Elliott's alert perceptiveness and his imagination are contaminating. The quixotic allusion that immediately comes to mind feels a bit confining for the wild and modern vibe of this book. It's very tempting, but I don't want to compare him to Bukowski, either, because the author may have to be a bit *more* sexually flamboyant and addicted to a counterculture that openly challenges the mainstream. It's Sean Elliott's independent adventurous spirit and his creative curiosity that stand out. If you are familiar with Alan Booth's "The Roads to Sata" or Will Ferguson's "Hitching Rides with Buddha", this book will naturally provide you with an interesting counterpoint. Although it is more eccentric, nonchalant, and boundary-free, it also offers you an inside view of Japan 'off the beaten track' that pierces through stereotypes and shapes an original and insightful perspective. It will also delight you with a fine comedic style.

 The author focuses on lifestyle aspects and individual quirks he comes across rather than more general cultural issues such as customs. The aim of the book is not drawing distinctions or creating some 'expat drama' due to culture clash. This is quite refreshing when you are bombarded with travel books that center on culture shock or soul-searching. Sean Elliott's travel memoir can charm you through an almost dizzying succession of intriguing places and curious incidents on the road across Japan. The author notices fine nuances and details about people's lifestyle and mentality and always presents things from an interesting angle. Skateboarding across Japan (from Cape Soya to Cape Sata) adds an original twist to the classic travel narrative. It brings a sense of risk and bravery. Even Kerouac would have liked this take 'on the road'. The reader can enjoy an extremely humorous and hearty style throughout the myriad adventures of a freedom-loving personality.

The cover is evocative of the playful, easy-going, youthful, and lively atmosphere in the whole book. Besides, it makes me think of what Elliott says in the end about the way he senses the passage of time and the long distant road left behind him while he manages to stay cheerful and open regardless of any hardship along the way. I also liked the whole design of the book and the visual insertions. They are well-chosen and add flavor even when they're not only glimpses into the beauty of Japanese life, but also proof of bloody fingers, fierce crabs, huge colorful spiders, and other signs of wildness. The epilog is both insightful and provocative. On the one hand, Sean Elliott reflects upon what he learned along his journey. He feels more mature in a way and better prepared for life's challenges. On the other hand, he cannot resist signaling the (slightly less orthodox) influence he has over his pupils. It sounds as if he knew how to instigate people's minds.

  The book is naturally a good read for people who love traveling or discovering new information and facets of exotic places through the eyes of a Westerner (an obviously captivated one...). It's also fun for those who have a weakness for autobiographical texts and surely catching for readers who enjoy more or less eroticized writing. The style is raw and real, sometimes blunt, but fluid, lighthearted, spontaneous, and always funny.
1955001
I find it amazing, that someone would attempt an around the world in the 1880's on their own much less on a bicycle with not enough roads to ride on. It is very descriptive from an Anglo englishman's view. Extraordinary adventure. Not a straight through read though, not for me anyway.
3108170
Isn't it interesting that Alice who is running away from her father's love, her roots and her identity is involved in a search for love, identity and society's past as a whole? This book is exciting, poignant and should  be read if you want to go on an adventure on more than one level.
1447108
It's often said, "write about what you know." And here in Reckless Traveler, Walter Rhein describes his true-life experiences on the ups and downs of living in another country. In this case, Peru.
A land of wonder and adventure, and of  fear and excitement, Peru is also a magical place where 'tea' is the cure-all remedy for just about any ailment you can think of. A place where some of the friendliest people in the world rub shoulders on a daily basis with pickpockets and conmen out to fleece you of the shirt off your back. And most of all, Peru is a' lesson in life' that clearly displays a universal constant we've all suspected for years...that no matter where you go, red tape and bribery rules, and bureaucrats really DO take special classes in being difficult, unfriendly and obstructive. (You'll see what I mean as you read his adventures).
Often humorous, sometimes serious, but always entertaining and informative, Reckless Traveler takes you on a journey of what life COULD be like, if only you were brave enough to try.
Well done Walter.
(but if I may ask...could you remind me again...How do you order smoked trout in Spanish?)
1179763
This book is many things. It's an adventure story. It's a geography lesson. It's a study in anthropology. It's an exposition on the mindset of an explorer.

Mostly, it's a well-written tale of an American woman, Kira Salak, and her quest to continue living an extraordinary life. "If a journey doesn't have something to teach you about yourself, then what kind of journey is it?" she writes. This book takes us along for the ride. The tone is conversational, very readable, honest, and refreshing.

The Cruelest Journey is aptly named. Indeed, Salak recounts a grueling journey inside an inflatable red kyak, 600 miles along the Niger River in the West African country, Mali. She encounters both friendly and hostile villagers, calm and stormy weather, hunger, injury, sickness, potentially dangerous hippos, and incredible uncertainty. Using the Scottish explorer, Mungo Park, as a mentor of sorts, she attempts to reenact his adventure some 200 years earlier. She finds that not a lot has changed from what she read in his memoirs, which she holds close throughout the trip and quotes often.

Before I picked up this book, I didn't know where to point on a map to tell anyone the location of Timbuktu. It's a mysterious place, often used to describe the outskirts of the world. Salak's journey doesn't dispel this myth.

I found this story fascinating and highly recommend it.

Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I'd Said.
775589
I was captivated by the amazing adventures, stories, gurus, friends, descriptions of mountains, trails, rivers, and ways of lives of the local peoples in Afghanistan, Kashmir, Laos, Goa, and many other places.  There's suspense and some very scary moments in this tale of a young man looking for life's answers far away from America and enjoying each and every moment of it.  I loved reading this book.
1850050
Ray St. Louis gives an insider's view of a counter cultural lifestyle.  Life as a renaissance festival worker is not easy but it's full of travel, adventure and romance.  Many of the individuals in the novel are based on real life people.  Rennies will enjoy reading about people we love and strangers will enjoy meeting strange and unusual characters.  Ray's novel gives an accurate depiction of an unusual segment of society without the ridicule and mockery often exhibited by those who simply cannot understand the beauty and allure of a life lived on the road.