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alundeberg's review against another edition
4.0
Thank goodness for Levison Wood for going on these journeys when so many of us-- for whatever reason: age, gender, sanity-- may not be able to do such an undertaking. Traveling overland 10, 000 miles from Estonia to India, Wood brings back adventure travel to its 18th and 19th century heyday when exploration for Europeans was so new. Wood revives the wonder in the world around us and gives us a glimpse into peoples who remain a mystery to much of the world. During his voyage, which he modeled after traveler Arthur Connelly, Wood straddles the boundary of being completely immersed in ancient cultures and chafing under the interference of the modern world and tourist. He captures the highs of travel and its lows of loneliness; anyone who has found themselves alone and vulnerable in a foreign land will relate.
What I appreciate about his observations about the people he meets is that recounts them as they are-- with all of their biases, angles, hospitality, and friendship. He doesn't editorialize or try to fix the worlds problems. He just explains what he sees and shows us what life is like elsewhere.
What I appreciate about his observations about the people he meets is that recounts them as they are-- with all of their biases, angles, hospitality, and friendship. He doesn't editorialize or try to fix the worlds problems. He just explains what he sees and shows us what life is like elsewhere.
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
5.0
Visit the locations with Levison
I only have this book on kindle for now but will definitely be buying a hardback as this is one of the books you have to keep. This seemed like the most personal of Levison’s treks since it was his first and the one which he admits sewed the seeds for the ones after.
This man’s fearlessness knows no bounds. He’s no gung-ho kind of guy either but isn’t afraid to get stuck in, climb mountains, rough it for ages in the jungle. He becomes part of the environment and country he’s in and manages to enjoy himself and take his readers along with him along the way.
He apologises at the start of the book as he wrote it so long ago that some of it might sound naive he says, but he decided to leave it as it is as it captures his mindset and outlook at the time. I’m so pleased he did as this breathes authenticity and a certain charm and interest to the book that an older Levison would have seen in a different way. The journey seems so long and unwise at times but he weathers the problems as well as he seizes the opportunities. This is the guy you want on any trek you might go on. He knows, respects and explores like it’s his first time – and that level of involvement is fascinating to watch. Being there however is better and he takes you along the way with him every step of the way – inner thoughts, sights and smells, observations – they are all there. The idea for his first trek – to follow in the footsteps of the Silk Road was ambitious and unique – and he manages to portray it in a fresh and unique way.
A really good travelogue with added energy. Levison Wood is like the modern day Phileas Fogg. Michael Palin has given him the seal of approval and I’m sure Phileas would too – so if those who have gone round the world in 80 Days applaud you – you know you’re doing something right.
schopflin's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
The author states that the book is based on his impressions as a naive 24 year old and he has opted not to edit them. This would explain the unquestioning orientalism, imperialism and privilege with which he records his impressions. A few footnotes showing more mature reflection might have been appropriate. Having said which it's entertaining enough and the young Levison went places few other travellers went in the 2000s. I enjoyed it, but is there really any place for an Asian travel book to use the adjective 'Wily'?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident and Racism
ralswoods's review against another edition
5.0
Heard Wood tell his story via podcast but reading the book brought a whole new level of Aw to this story. This will make you want to sell everything you own and backpack the world-particularly the Middle East
alundeberg's review
4.0
Thank goodness for Levison Wood for going on these journeys when so many of us-- for whatever reason: age, gender, sanity-- may not be able to do such an undertaking. Traveling overland 10, 000 miles from Estonia to India, Wood brings back adventure travel to its 18th and 19th century heyday when exploration for Europeans was so new. Wood revives the wonder in the world around us and gives us a glimpse into peoples who remain a mystery to much of the world. During his voyage, which he modeled after traveler Arthur Connelly, Wood straddles the boundary of being completely immersed in ancient cultures and chafing under the interference of the modern world and tourist. He captures the highs of travel and its lows of loneliness; anyone who has found themselves alone and vulnerable in a foreign land will relate.
What I appreciate about his observations about the people he meets is that recounts them as they are-- with all of their biases, angles, hospitality, and friendship. He doesn't editorialize or try to fix the worlds problems. He just explains what he sees and shows us what life is like elsewhere.
What I appreciate about his observations about the people he meets is that recounts them as they are-- with all of their biases, angles, hospitality, and friendship. He doesn't editorialize or try to fix the worlds problems. He just explains what he sees and shows us what life is like elsewhere.
halfmanhalfbook's review
4.0
Sometimes it is the little things in life that make the biggest differences. Having snuck into Alton Towers to save some cash, Levison Wood then lost his wallet with all his money in… Dismayed and penniless, he was shocked, to say the least when it dropped on his doormat with a note from the army officer who had found it. Wood wrote back to say thank you and to ask about a career in the services; a reply was swiftly forthcoming with six pages of notes that detailed recommendations and suggestions to optimise his chances of getting in and the final sentence was the recommendation; above all, travel…
Which is why he found himself at the age of 22 setting off a journey to hitch-hike from Nottingham across Russia with a friend, before heading south alone to follow the route taken by people for millennia, the Silk Road. He was inspired to follow this route after finding a book called the Great Game in the library whilst he should have been researching something else. This book told the tale of Arthur Conolly who in 1839 tried to see if it was still possible to travel along this legendary road.
His budget of £750 was stretching the definition of shoestring fairly thin, especially as he was hoping to fly home rather than hitchhike back again. His companion in Russia was Jon Winfield, a friend who shared a love of the open road too. Wood's Russian leg would take him from Calais to Stavropol via St Petersburg and he would drink more vodka than was definitely healthy for him, but as they approached Georgia, the first of the Caucasus countries Jon decided to head home., with the ominous message that he didn't want to hear about Levison on Al Jazeera.
Having heard all the horror stories from the Russians about the Georgians, he finds them warm and welcoming and find that the loathing that they have for each other is mutual. Leaving the country to pick up the Silk Road from Turkey and would head into Iran. It is a country of contrasts, with the theocratic mullahs having the most influence and the population committing their own individual acts of defiance. Next was the most dangerous part of his journey, into Afghanistan; this was in 2004, and the country was still under American occupation with battles still happening between the mujahideen, the Americans and the Taliban. The people were resigned at the time to another war taking place in their country but still were as hospitable as they could be given the circumstances. Surviving Afghanistan, Woods crosses the Khyber Pass and into Pakistan the penultimate country on his trip, before reaching the beaches of Goa at journeys end.
It was a journey that had a significant impact on his life. He did join the army as an officer in the parachute regiment and served in various theatres before leaving and becoming a journalist and photographer, but adventure travel is what he has become best known for. This latest book, about his experiences hitchhiking across Russia and the middle east, is I think his best yet. It may not have the freshness of his walks across Africa, Central America and the Himalayas, as it was written from the notes and journals that he kept, but he has matured as a writer and it shows in this book. 4.5 stars
Which is why he found himself at the age of 22 setting off a journey to hitch-hike from Nottingham across Russia with a friend, before heading south alone to follow the route taken by people for millennia, the Silk Road. He was inspired to follow this route after finding a book called the Great Game in the library whilst he should have been researching something else. This book told the tale of Arthur Conolly who in 1839 tried to see if it was still possible to travel along this legendary road.
His budget of £750 was stretching the definition of shoestring fairly thin, especially as he was hoping to fly home rather than hitchhike back again. His companion in Russia was Jon Winfield, a friend who shared a love of the open road too. Wood's Russian leg would take him from Calais to Stavropol via St Petersburg and he would drink more vodka than was definitely healthy for him, but as they approached Georgia, the first of the Caucasus countries Jon decided to head home., with the ominous message that he didn't want to hear about Levison on Al Jazeera.
Having heard all the horror stories from the Russians about the Georgians, he finds them warm and welcoming and find that the loathing that they have for each other is mutual. Leaving the country to pick up the Silk Road from Turkey and would head into Iran. It is a country of contrasts, with the theocratic mullahs having the most influence and the population committing their own individual acts of defiance. Next was the most dangerous part of his journey, into Afghanistan; this was in 2004, and the country was still under American occupation with battles still happening between the mujahideen, the Americans and the Taliban. The people were resigned at the time to another war taking place in their country but still were as hospitable as they could be given the circumstances. Surviving Afghanistan, Woods crosses the Khyber Pass and into Pakistan the penultimate country on his trip, before reaching the beaches of Goa at journeys end.
It was a journey that had a significant impact on his life. He did join the army as an officer in the parachute regiment and served in various theatres before leaving and becoming a journalist and photographer, but adventure travel is what he has become best known for. This latest book, about his experiences hitchhiking across Russia and the middle east, is I think his best yet. It may not have the freshness of his walks across Africa, Central America and the Himalayas, as it was written from the notes and journals that he kept, but he has matured as a writer and it shows in this book. 4.5 stars
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