Customer Reviews
Travel as a human being - rather than a lister of place names - By: Jaysview, 30 Jun 2008 
This is a good first attempt at a travel book. It is very much a 'human' book about someones personal journey, as well as covering the places visited. So much better than the listing of times & dates of places visited that so many dull travel books resort to. Lacking the repeatativeness phrases of Josie Dew & the heaviness of Ann Mustoe, it is a much more fun read.
If you have a chance to see him give a talk do go along as he is very interesting & funny in real life too.
Budget travel at its best! - By: S. Di Lizio, 16 Jan 2008 Alastair Humphreys spends four years cycling around the world... not just around, but London to South Africa via the middle east, the bottom tip of South America to Alaska, then, Russia, Japan, & through Central Asia & Europe before returning home.
The only detail missing in this book is "Why?" Although, I'm not sure even Alastair knows! The first book details the London to South Africa leg, with a large portion dedicated to various African nations. Alastair's writing, slightly patchy in early chapters, finds a rhythm by the second half of the book. There is plenty of detail on his see-sawing emotions, daily routines, strict budgeting, encounters with the locals & many humorous anecdotes. Alastair kept a diary throughout his journey & the level of detail is wonderful as a result.
The question of African poverty becomes more confusing as Alastair travels through Ethiopia & sees some of the negative aspects of aid & charity.
He saved 7000 pounds to undertake this journey & lived extremely cheaply. It is inspiring stuff.
self indulgent book about Alistair - By: Andy, 31 Dec 2007 
I'm afraid I did not enjoy this book at alll. There was too much of Alistair himself with an overalll impression of a whine about this journey/lack of girlfriend etc & not enough about Africa. He travelled through so many fascinating countries but it was alll about his endurance & bread & jam! Maybe this should not have been catalogued in the 'travel' section, but perhaps the personal/biography or even sports section. I may say that being entitled to a student loan & then managing to save it was certainly not the idea behind the government's student loan service.
AB
Captivating Adventure - By: A. Wilson, 05 Aug 2007 A great book, especiallly for a first one. Very honest account, & catches the reader without any contrived embellishments which many travel writers seem to use to keep you interested.
It's not a 'how to' book for cycle touring, but instead is an exciting read for both cyclists & non-cyclists alike.
Not quite as brilliant as hoped! - By: Mr. T. Abdulla, 24 Jul 2007 
I have nothing but respect for someone who can push themselves into long (very long!) distance cycling, & camping rough, in the way that Humphreys has; & then having the guts to self-publish books about it.
It is easy to read, & it did inspire me with the idea that long cycling journeys are something that ordinary people - like me - could actuallly do.
However, it is a bit short. It is printed in a large font, & there is a blank page between every chapter. There are also a lot of ingredients, which I don't think reallly add very much.
It is easy to understand why this is - the book was written several years after the experiences. It's good for a first book, & his next installlments may well be improvements.
It was also a bit repetitive at times.
There are a lot of this genre of book available. The only other I've read was 'The wind in my wheels' by Josie Dew, which I have to say I enjoyed a lot more.
