Travelogues Books

What a wonderful job Carol Spindel has done describing her year in an Ivory Coast village. So many writers have written about Africa from the perspective of "oppressed" colonialists or uninvolved observers. Ms. Spindel allowed herself to learn from the villagers, to earn their trust and friendship, and to become a contributing part of their circle. In turn, she becomes an effective teacher to readers who hunger to understand.

This book in incredible. I read the book while in the Ivory Coast and can account for it's authenticity. In fact, I have read it over three times as it brings back the culture and the people that are so dear to my heart. Through her incredible writing skills the author brings Africa to life and provides a more complete accurate picture of West Africa. Excellent book, a definite must read.

This is an extraordinarily sensitive portrait of a West African village. The writer really made the effort to know and understand her environment, and it pays off in a warm and tender account of her experience that brings the people and the culture vividly to life. I read this book six years ago, in preparation for a trip to Africa, and the strong sense of place she evokes stays with me still.

Spindel's book humanizes and softens our often bleak view of Africa. The adventures of the American student of West African language and culture remind us that people are not so different as they seem. Furthermore, she reminds us that before European interference, there was gentility and natural wealth in African society.

Highly recommended for those readers who desire another perspective on the continent's people.

The IndoChina Chronicles, a travelogue good enough to be a historical novel, captures the sights, sounds and the people of the area more richly than most travel books. Phil Karber, a dedicated world traveler, returns to where he started his travels as a soldier during the Vietnam conflict. Phil takes you beyond the big cities and tourist spots to the villages and byways of the region. Experience life (and death)along the Mekong with Phil and his trip companion, Simon, as they travel with the locals. Witness emotional encounters between American veterans and their former foes as they all seek to put the war behind them and build better lives. And life is improving in Indochina. The scars of war are gradually healing over. But Phil won't let you forget the horrors that the war brought. His extensive research provides an historical perspective for almost every town he visits. The intensity of the battle of the Tet Offensive in 1968 as told by a participant is especially compelling. In all, the reader will experience a vibrant culture brought to life by a traveler who can't seem to experience enough of it, a traveler deeply sympathetic to the land and its people. Savor it as you would a fine wine, sip by sip, or as Phil and Simon often do, with a nice spliff.

The Indochina Chronicles: Travels In Laos, Cambodia And Vietnam is the intimate and intriguing memoir to the Cambodian, Laos, and Vietnam travels of esteemed travel author and globe trotting adventure Phil Karber. Exploring the pieces and intricacies of the country's histories which may only be observed by a native, student, or true professional traveler, The Indochina Chronicles delves deeply into the exotic worlds of three interesting far eastern countries. Perfect reading for the armchair traveler, The Indochina Chronicles is very strongly recommended to as an informative and intriguing collection of stories, histories, happenings, and travelogue explorations of generally unknown countries, all tactfully and engagingly written from beginning to end.

A journey of redemption for all of us who fought in or against the war in Indo China. Phil Karber does not hide his own personal sadness and outrage as he shows how that war physically and emotionally traumatized an entire region of the world ( as well as an entire generation of young Americans back in the 60's and 70's) And he does this by telling a tale of a journey filled with humor, poignancy, drama, vivid descriptions of places and people and a glimpse of his own comming to terms. His writing, both inspiring and entertaining allows the reader to visit these countries as if he's sitting with you over a beer and sharing it personally with you. This is must reading for all of those who came to terms with "Vietnam" as well as for those who see Iraq as this generation's Vietnam. Phil is an eloquent spokesman for those many quiet, sweet and peace loving citizens of Vietnam Cambodia and Laoas as he relates their stories. And in so doing he presents these countries as intriguing and inviting places to visit.

Indochina Chronicles is simply a wonderful travel book--you can practically taste the food Phil Karber eats and smell the smells. Everything is vividly described, so that you feel as if you're making the trip yourself. The book is really three books in one--part travelogue, part voyage of self-discovery, and also a series of fascinating anecdotes and stories explaining the people and the history of Indochina in an unforgettable way. It was a real pleasure to read.

Good value, well written and with pictures os good quality.
And,...nice country.
JA

With vivid descriptions of cultures and places, superb maps, expert historical discussions, and delightfully charming photographs from cover to cover, this guide offers the reader everything needed to visit this magnificent, magical country.

I lived in Helsinki for 4 months and traveled around a bit (to Kuopio, Karigasniemi and Ivalo, as well as eastward to St. Petersburg). This is the best guide to Finland I've seen in English. They give not only important tourist information (maps, restaurant and hotel recommendations, attractions, tips, etc.), but also great cultural and historical information that will help put all the tourist stuff in perspective for you.

Finland can seem surprisingly foreign if you're expecting it to be just like Scandinavia or the rest of western Europe. But with a little help from the Insight guide you'll find it unique and exciting and beautiful rather than frighteningly different. Get ready for all the stereotypical pleasures (like the sauna and amazing architecture) and some less stereotypical ones like cutting edge, world class design, beautiful birch forests, spectacular lakes, and really weird yogurt-like stuff and juustoleipä!

Finland, here you come!

All too often, Finland has been unfairly treated by many snobbish travel writers - too clean, too expensive, too Northern. For many of those identifying Finland only with mobile phones, the history, the architecture and the landscapes of this brave, spectacularly handsome and exceedingly talented country is largely unknown. This guide tells the story and shows the pictures in a friendly, seemingly effortless and hugely informative way.

The book - in common with other Insight Guide publications - is as beautiful as the cover picture suggests. They do not cut corners on buying top quality photos or commissioning informed articles, and it shows. The writing does not have the cynicism and grumpy attitude of shoestring-travel guidebooks: instead, it offers warmth and genuine attempt to look into the country and its people (not only to list its cheapest accommodation).

Insight Guides is quite laconic about basic survival within the country, but the pages that are there fully fit the task suffice. Moreover, in Finland, where the knowledge of English is practically universal and the system of public information about transport and other facilities is second to none, you do not need too much hand-holding anyway.

This beautiful and informative book is worth every penny.

One of the most important books on the history of the Jews in the world. A virtual encyclopedia of Jewish life in the 12th century, which means it coincides with the Crusades and the height of Spanish Jewry. Benjamin of Tudela, mentioned in the Rishonim, was a Jewish traveler and he cataloged all the Jewish communities he came across from Rome and Europe to the far East. He even spoke of Jews in the most far off places such as Africa, India and China. His most important observations however have to deal with the massive Jewish communities that were once found in places such as Baghdad. He described not only the Jewish courts and Jewish way of life but also the demographics. At Tadmor for instance he mentions 2,000 Jews who "valiant in war and fight with the Christians and with the Arabs...and they help their neighbours the Ishmaelites. At their head are Rabbi Isaac Hajvani and R. Nathan and R. Uziel. The book is simply a must read and includes a lively and important introduction and discussion but otherwise leaves the reader to learn for himself this piece of Jewish geography. Many of the interesting details are left unexplored, such as `who are these Ishamaelites'? Are they the Ishmaelites of the Torah or at they the Ishmaili Muslims known as the Assasins of the time who lived in Iraq and Syria? Why are the Jews allied with them? What is this secret history of Jewish warriors in the 12th century that no ones learns in school?

A fascinating read, a true piece of history.

Seth J. Frantzman

This is a work which gives insight into Jewish communal life in the Middle Ages.

This book is remarkable. This is basically a travel diary of Benjamin, a Jewish man, in the middle ages. He vividly describes the different communities he visits throughout Spain and the middle east. Anyone who enjoys reading primary sources in history will enjoy this.

Benjamin de Tudela entre los años 1127 y 1173, aproximadamente. Comenzó su viaje, que duró varios años, hacia 1165, saliendo de Tudela con rumbo a la costa mediterranea. Recorrió la costa desde Tortosa hasta Roma, pasando por Barcelona, Marsella y Génova. Desde Roma traversó el sur de Italia, luego Grecia, para llegar a Constantinopla. Después de Constantinopla viajó ampliamente por el medio oriente, pasando por Alejandría, Jerusalén, Damasco, Bagdad y cientos de poblaciones menores

This is one of the first of dozens of journals, diaries, and recollections of the early west I've read over the years, and remains my favorite. I think this comes about as close as you can come to getting inside the head of an early Rocky Mountain fur trapper. In many you'll find bravado, truth-stretching, or the other end of spectrum - a recounting of the barest of facts. This is in between the two, and hints at times at what it actually felt like to be living those times. Three examples that come easily to mind are an encounter with a grizzly early in his career (and only luck saved that career from ending that day), his descrptions of the "sheep-eater" Indians and the place they lived on the Lamar River in the Yellowstone Park area, and his thoughts put to paper as he sat at the top of a high mountain and bid farewell to the trapping life and the virgin landscape that had been his home for 9 years.
The style of writing is different than today's and takes some getting used to initially. But I think it's worth it to read history straight from those that lived it rather than limiting yourself only to the digested product of later day historians.

A great book but hard to read at first because of the language that Russell uses. There are wonderful stories of indians and escape. This book leaves you wanting a continuation, but because it is a personal journal that is impossible. Haines does a wonderful job editing. A must have for the library of a mountain man.

This is the best description of the life of a trapper I have ever found. Most accounts deal more with the highlights of the Indian fights and other great challenges that these men faced. Russell deals with a number of these but also covers the day to day life of camping, riding, trapping, hunting food and cooking it as well as some of the day to day social interactions.

Fortunately many of the places he desribed are still intact and can be visited today. One can still see buffalo in the Lamar valley in Yellowstone or see the area where he crossed the Snake River in spring flood in bullboats. His careful accounting of the routes and locations make it possible to almost follow in his footsteps.

The author has done an excellent job of editing this information in his well annotated footnotes and his maps. A thoroughly fascinating volume.

Osborne Russell was never one of the elite of the Mountain Men. He spent most of his time in the mundane tasks of cooking, cleaning, and other camp chores while on trapping expeditions. But he wrote one of the best accounts -- certainly one of the most accurate -- of the peregrinations and the exciting events in the life of a Mountain Man. Osborne was in the Northern Rockies between 1834-1843 and was a participant in many expeditions of Bridger's and fights with the Blackfeet.

Editor Haines has compiled the routes of Russell's travel in 10 maps and added explanatory notes to his narrative. However, a lot more could be done to make this book more readable. First, there are no chapter and few paragraph divisions to ease the task of the reader. It's even hard to keep track of what year Russell is talking about. Secondly, there is room for many more footnotes and explanations of what Russell was doing and when and where.

We need a new edition of Russell's work which will make it more accessible to the reader. This old edition is invaluable if you are a student of the Mountain Man, but the casual reader may bog down.

Smallchief

I found this book to be very interesting. I admired the author, who learned how to handle and live on a boat. It was well written -- a "page turner".

Life is a journey. Ruth Silnes' journey is both literal and metaphoric as she honeymoons on a yacht with her husband Torger in KEEPING AHEAD OF WINTER -4100 NAUTICAL MILES INSIDE AMERICA. Using the trip's logs and her memory, Silnes recreates the adventure and romance of her honeymoon in 1965.

The trip tested and strengthened her love for Torger. Clearly she remembers her husband and their growth together fondly.

The memoir describes the events factually. Author and illustrator Ruth Silnes recreates the story as it happened rather than reflecting it or reshaping it. Her descriptive phrases bring settings and struggles to life.

KEEPING AHEAD OF WINTER would be of particular interest to yachtsmen, wannabe boaters, and vicarious travelers. In addition it should appeal to anyone interested in life's journey as seen through the eyes of an adventurer starting the second half of her life.

The book is the story of woman in midlife who begins an exciting new adventure with her new husband. Together they live out a dream of sailing the inland passage in their new boat. The character and relationship development while under the intense pressure of piloting a boat are fascinating, as are their hair raising adventures. I couldn't put the book down!

This book is far more than an exciting account of the author's sailboat journey from Chicago to Florida's Gulf coast. Its second theme, the inner journey she takes while adjusting to life with her new husband (and learning how to be "first mate" on a 38-foot sailing yacht!), is such a perfect match for the more obvious one that I would hesitate to designate one as primary and the other as secondary. Along the way Ruth and Torger Silnes learn many things about their country, but Ruth learns just as many about herself.

This is a well-told story of a woman's transition from her life's first half to its second, rich in detail and emotion. It deserves to be read. Do give it a try!

Page & Volz have created a very usable even-handed historic/geographic/cultural guide to where specifically in the Holy Land religious/political things have happened over the past 8000 years. Conflicting opinions/myths are noted, but the authors rarely choose sides. Great illustrations and index. Good primer for an upcoming trip.

This book helped introduce me to the many historical sites mentioned in the Bible. It is a valuable guide for people visiting the Middle East. Charles Page's book Jesus and the Land is also a wonderful and inspirational book about Jesus' life and times. This boook is a must for people who want to learn more about the ancient Biblical sites and an excellent companion for Biblical studies.

This book was used by our study-group in Israel 3/00. It was part of a group of books recommended and I found it very illuminating. Lots of info available in easily readable writing style. I would strongly recommend this for anyone going to Middle-east/Israel and for those studying here for a more complete picture of the role of geography, etc in the development of the Bible. The impact of this facet becomes "alive" to the reader using this text.

Mr. Page came to our university (University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas) to lecture and is going to be our tour guide on a trip to Israel that our Biblical Geography class is going on. He was very knowledgeable and the book is well written and will give you great insite to the lan.

This book is first and foremost a great adventure and coming of age story, but it is also a glimpse into another era in American history. Much like Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, Hofvendahl's account takes us back to a time that few living people still remember, and one cannot help but compare and contrast it to the America of today. If you're ready for a little armchair adventuring, this is a great read!

With the folks who came of age during the Depression shrinking in ranks these days this story is so important. Ordinary people led extraordinary lives not because they were thrillseekers so much as they were doing what was necessary to survive and had accidental adventures along the way. This colorful story will captivate you and is a great history lesson as well. I read it during a blizzard and was thrilled that I was unable to go anywhere so I could keep enjoying the story.

Mr. Hofvendahl's reminiscences are the best I've read. Steinbeck traveled with Charley during the final years of the writer's life. Least Heat Moon took to the highways because of a mid-life crisis. Both works were less about the authors and more about observing the land and the people. Even Kerouac's time on the road was less a time of discovery than of social commentary. Not so with Hofvendahl. Here is a young man -- less than two decades into his life -- filled with a desire to experience new things in a pre-war era most of us never knew.

Writing 50 years after the events took place, Hofvendahl's style is crisp. His ability (as an older adult) to convey the youthful enthusiasm of a teenager is wonderful. The work is an observation of people and places, but it is also an account of Hofvendahl's own coming of age.

Taken from one of the era's songs of life on road, "A Land so Fair and Bright" is terrific. Think "Summer of 42" meets "Blue Highways" and you'll get the picture.

Mr. Hofvendahl is a masterful writer who describes an extended summer of his distant youth with a foot-on-the-pavement jolt adorned with powder blue images of a summer sky. The book conveys the fear and cold of a lonely road as well as the warmth of good-hearted people that he met during his travel. It is a grand sequel to his first book, Hard on the Wind, which told of his earlier adventure on a four-masted schooner on the Bering Sea off Alaska's coast.

A great descreption of what life is like in the Alaskan Bush

When I first ordered this book, I was looking for an ethnography of the Inupiat. I didn't look that closely at the description of the book, but since it had a five star rating, I still bought it. The day it arrived, I started reading it and found at that what I received was not what I was expecting...however I still couldn't put it down. Jans' stories of life with the Inupiat, are amazing.

While it isn't a traditional ethnography, Jans still gives some amazing insight into the lives of the Inupiat. His descriptions are colorful and entertaining while still giving a sense of the seriousness of the intrusion of mining and modern culture on the traditional subsistence of the Inupiat. There is a degree of fear as to what will happen to them as society marches onward into the remote regions of Alaska and provides a sense of urgency of protection for these people.

If you are remotely interested in what life is like above the arctic circle, get this book. Don't think about it, just get it.

This February, I was sitting in the library at the Selawik school -- just above the Arctic Circle, population 700; I was there as part of a program that sent authors to the Alaskan bush -- and I asked the librarian for a book recommendation. She went straight to THE LAST LIGHT BREAKING. I leafed through it and then bought it when I got home.

My favorite piece in this collection is "Beat the Qaaviks," Jans' account of an Arctic basketball game, but they're all excellent. I'm hoping to return to Selawik, and to take a friend with me. I gave him THE LAST LIGHT BREAKING to whet his appetite.

If you're reading this, you're already thinking about buying the book. Just buy it. It's great.

This collection of essays are the author's descriptions and reflections on aspects of life in rural Alaska. It's not a story of pioneering or stone age lifestyles, as the title "living among the eskimos" might suggest. Rather, Jans gives a vivid picture of how the lives of rural Alaskans are like a collision of the old and new worlds. It is a world of snowmachines, TV, and basketball, and caribou hunting. Nick Jans lived in the villages of northwest Alaska for decades. The reader benefits from his sense of the most striking or moving experiences he has collected and his perfect, crystal clear prose. I came away with the sense that Jans loves Alaska and when you read the book you can feel it yourself. I also highly..HIGHLY recommend his more recent book that incorporates stunning photography with essays.

I feel like I have been at a feast of experience and ideas. Traveling with Matt Stevenson through his book "Letters of Transit," has been an enjoyable treat. Glimpses of Russia, Fiji, Africa, Ireland and islands in the Pacific were described with poetic language, clear pictures of the economy and political aspects and the excitement of venturing into different lands. A description of Mexico City as seen from a mountain top castle is vivid and imaginative:"Cars raced around the narrow streets and the imperial boulevards like so many rats searching the maze. And in the distance I saw rows of houses, like the surf appropriating a dune, washing up the sides of the hills.

As an economist he discusses the Russian system with insight and understanding. One feels like he is talking to a friend. He is good company.

My favorite parts of the book are those in which he visits the battlegrounds where his father fought. He familiarizes us with the problems of war and steeps us in nostalgia. I know his father and so the quotes from him are particularly interesting, admirable and poignant in these times. He quotes other military comrades of his father, "There is the way I dreamed I fought, and the way I wish I had fought...the way I think I fought and that is the story I told here."

Reading this book has been a stimulant to my intellect, a treat to my senses and a good time with a newly found companion.

Letters Of Transit: Essays On Travel, History, Politics, And Family Life Abroad by banker and essayist Matthew Stevenson is a sizeable and impressive compendium of original thoughts by a traveler who has been around the world, including Switzerland, Serbia, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the Middle East. Stevenson writes with a clear and articulate view of the tangled morass of human politics, cultures, and events he has observed and considered. From a human look at the battle of Guadalcanal and its fallout to the current, not-so-happy state of the Russian economy to the crossroads of destiny at South Korea, Letters Of Transit is a compelling, informed and informative view of people and events around the globe, and a breathtaking, thoughtful look at what the future might have in store.

Matthew Stevenson writes about many things in this hefty volume - and it is especially interesting to read about his visits to Afghansitan, Pakistan, and other places.

Fortunately, life in Switzerland is dull, thus permitting the author's family to rest between holidays. Their vacations sound like the tourist equivalent of cold showers--character building, but uncomfortable. I've read some of these essays over the years in the American Spectator--where they remind us that it is more than the house organ of the vast right-wing conspiracy. What makes this collection remarkable is that Stevenson takes us to some of the world's most prominent hot spots--Serbia, Palestinian refugee camps, Argentina, Northern Ireland--during periods of relative repose, when we can meet the people and appreciate the human dimensions behind the catastrophic headlines. Stevenson does his homework--like all good travel writing, these essays mix history with sights, smells and conversation as effortlessly as gin with vermouth. "The Playing Fields of Terrorism" should be required reading, and "Dealing in Russia" shows uncommon insight into the difficulties of doing business in a transitional economy.