cagillies's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't add too much more than what I've already read about travel. Found it a bit cogent.
mezmer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
angieinbooks's review against another edition
2.0
It's not that I didn't find Rolf Potts' tips and advice useful, it's just that I kind of hated him when I read it. I understand that he's advocating for a type of travel experience that's different than the sprint vacationing most people choose to do, and I agree with him. My problem is he's so judgmental about people making a different choice. Gems like this: "Which is the real adventure: spending three grand on a mach-one MiG jet ride over Kamchatka, or spending the same sum exploring the cities and villages of Siberia by train and motorcycle?" His answer isn't: Well, it depends on the person. No, he thinks the right answer is always the latter. And while, yeah, I'd much rather take that train/motorcycle ride, too, but I'm not going to sit here and say it's the "real" adventure. They're both real adventures geared at different types of people.
What saved it from being only 1-star is the extensive tips and reading lists. Some of these may be out of date, but they're probably better reading than this book.
What saved it from being only 1-star is the extensive tips and reading lists. Some of these may be out of date, but they're probably better reading than this book.
tielqueen's review against another edition
4.0
this man speaks to me, voicing a lot of the experiences i've been going through over the last few months of solo travel
katemilkshakes's review against another edition
2.0
Incredibly practical advice with lists of books to read & websites to visit. I was hoping for some more whimsical tales of life on the road - but praps this isn't the book for that. Must-read if you are looking to set out on a vagabonding journey; if you just want to live vicariously I'd give it a miss.
jcovey's review against another edition
3.0
Not really a guide. This book won't actually help you plan anything, more of a motivational piece. That being said, it is a very good motivational piece. Can easily stoke the fires of wanderlust and make you look forward to your next trip all the more, or, help sustain that wanderlust while your on the road. Perfect quick read if you're about to hit the road or you feel your enthusiasm draining after a tiring few months of travel.
raleevers's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
jackfranco's review against another edition
5.0
glad this book found me when it did. I don't think I would have been ready for its message a year ago.
dunguyen's review against another edition
4.0
Vagabonding is Rolf Potts' take on
long term travel. It is very important to note that it is not a guide to travel but rather a very long essay on how to lead a nomad life.
I particularly liked the parts of the book where Potts describe long term travel and what it means to be vagabonding. These parts are the most useful of the book and is a get resource when traveling.
What disappointed me about this book was the general lack of practical tips. Potts emphasizes the change in mentality one needs to have to travel but not really the small practical issues. Instead he points to other resources which he also sometimes criticizes in other parts of the book.
Overall though this book is still quite good and if only as a manifesto for travelers.
long term travel. It is very important to note that it is not a guide to travel but rather a very long essay on how to lead a nomad life.
I particularly liked the parts of the book where Potts describe long term travel and what it means to be vagabonding. These parts are the most useful of the book and is a get resource when traveling.
What disappointed me about this book was the general lack of practical tips. Potts emphasizes the change in mentality one needs to have to travel but not really the small practical issues. Instead he points to other resources which he also sometimes criticizes in other parts of the book.
Overall though this book is still quite good and if only as a manifesto for travelers.