Books matching: travel narrative
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:'News From Tartary' by Peter Fleming is a classic travel narrative detailing a 3500-mile journey across central Asia in 1935. The book follows the author's adventures through China during a period of political upheaval, offering insights into the region's history, people, and landscapes. Written with humor, compassion, and keen observation, the book provides a vivid account of the challenges and experiences faced by the travelers as they navigate through various modes of transportation and encounters with different cultures.
Most journeys begin less abruptly than they end, and to fix the true beginning of this one in either time or space is a task which I do not care to undertake. I find it easier to open my account of it... - #2
Save:'The Log from the Sea of Cortez' by John Steinbeck is an account of a marine animal collecting journey that took place in 1940 in Baja California and the Sea of Cortez. The journey was undertaken by Steinbeck and his good friend, Edward F. Ricketts, along with a crew of seamen, to study the marine life of the region. combines scientific journal entries, philosophical musings, detailed descriptions of the environment, and interactions with locals along the coast. It also includes a tribute to Ed Ricketts, offering insights into their friendship and shared experiences during the voyage.
'The Log from the Sea of Cortez' showcases Steinbeck's writing style that seamlessly weaves together scientific observations, philosophical discussions, and personal reflections. provides a vivid portrayal of the marine life in the Gulf of California, the bond between the two friends, and their shared adventures and discoveries during the collecting trip. The narrative captures the essence of the journey, blending humor, insight, and detailed descriptions to create a compelling and engaging read.
How does one organize an expedition: what equipment is taken, what sources read; what are the little dangers and the large ones? No one has ever written this. The information is not available. The des... - #3
Save:"Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart" by Tim Butcher follows the author's expedition through the Democratic Republic of Congo, retracing the path of explorer H M Stanley along the Congo River. Readers are taken on a journey filled with historical insights about Congo's past, the challenges faced by its people, and the consequences of decades of lawlessness. Butcher's narrative style seamlessly weaves together his perilous journey with the history of the country, offering a compelling account of a country in turmoil and the impact of colonization and conflict.
I stirred in the pre-dawn chill, my legs pedalling for bedclothes kicked away earlier when the tropical night was at its clammiest. I could hear African voices singing to a drum beat coming from somew...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Vintage Voyages ) "A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World" by Tony Horwitz is a historical travelogue that takes readers on a journey through the early European exploration of the Americas. The author blends detailed historical facts with his own travels to the locations where these events occurred, providing a human perspective on the experiences of the early explorers. From the Vikings in 1000 AD to Columbus, the Conquistadors, and the Pilgrims, the book covers a wide range of historical events often overlooked in traditional education, shedding light on the interactions between European settlers and Native Americans.
Horwitz's writing style combines history with personal experiences, humor, and sarcasm, making the book both informative and entertaining. The author retraces the steps of the early explorers, interviews scholars and historians, and shares stories of the people he encounters along the way. Through his exploration of the forgotten stories of Native Americans and early European settlers, Horwitz brings to life a lesser-known period in American history, offering readers a fresh perspective on the country's founding.
THE STORY OF America’s discovery by Europeans begins with a fugitive. Eirik the Red fled his native Norway, the sagas say, “because of some killings.” Settling in Iceland, Eirik took up farming and fe...Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes' is a travel narrative detailing his 12-day journey through the remote southern France mountains with a donkey named Modestine. The book provides insights into Stevenson's observations of the landscape, interactions with locals, and reflections on travel, religion, and life in general. The historical context of the region, specifically the Camisard rebellion of the 1700s, adds depth to the narrative without overshadowing Stevenson's personal experiences and encounters during the trip.
Stevenson's writing style in 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes' is described as humorous, engaging, and filled with beautiful descriptions of the natural surroundings and the people he meets along the way. The book combines elements of travel literature and personal reflection, showcasing Stevenson's ability to weave historical context with his own experiences, particularly his adventures with the obstinate donkey, Modestine, making it a delightful and insightful read for lovers of travel writing.
In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valleyfifteen miles from Le Puy, I spent about a month of fine days. Monastieris notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for free...- #6
Save:'I See By My Outfit' by Peter S. Beagle is a charming and humorous narrative chronicling the cross-country adventure of two best friends, New York Jewish atheist beatniks, as they set out on underpowered scooters from NYC to San Francisco in the 1960s. The book captures their misadventures, encounters with interesting people in small towns along the way, and the challenges faced during their journey. The author's writing style is described as well-written, with refreshingly lyrical prose interspersed throughout the functional narrative, and filled with good, witty humor that adds to the book's appeal.
The narrative is a mix of travelogue and picaresque tale, showcasing the author's smart and articulate storytelling, beyond just a typical travel narrative. The book offers a glimpse into the 1960s era, where the two friends navigate the country on small Vespa-style scooters, highlighting the daily scoots from town to town, the people they meet, and the sense of adventure and camaraderie that defines their journey.
'Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road' by Neil Peart is a poignant account of the author's journey of recovery after facing unimaginable tragedies in his personal life. Through motorcycle therapy, Peart embarks on a soul-searching tour across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Central America. The narrative unfolds as a blend of a motorcycle travelogue and a profound exploration of mental health and healing, showcasing Peart's emotional growth and reinvention of self through the Healing Road.
Peart's writing style is highly acclaimed, with readers praising his artistry and storytelling abilities. not only captures the physical landscapes of his motorcycle journey but also delves deep into Peart's emotional struggles and triumphs. The inclusion of letters written by Peart to his inner circle adds a personal touch to the narrative, highlighting the power of friendship and the healing process after enduring profound loss.
Outside the house by the lake the heavy rain seemed to hold down the darkness, grudging the slow fade from black, to blue, to gray. As I prepared that last breakfast at home, squeezing the oranges, bo...Author Alan Booth embarked on a remarkable journey, walking from the northern tip of Hokkaido to the southern tip of Kyushu, covering over 2,000 miles in about four months. Along the way, he encountered a wide range of Japanese people, landscapes, and experiences, providing a unique insight into the country's culture and hidden gems. Booth's writing style is described as vivid, humorous, and engaging, capturing both the beauty and challenges of his trek through Japan.
All night the wind blew into my room in the minshuku at Cape Soya and I couldn't sleep. The wind sang as it blew through the stovepipes till I thought there was a nest of birds singing: crafty birds, ...- #9
Save:In "Savage Harvest: A Tale of Cannibals, Colonialism, and Michael Rockefeller's Tragic Quest for Primitive Art" by Carl Hoffman, the author embarks on a captivating journey to Papua New Guinea to retrace the steps of anthropologist Michael Rockefeller's final art collecting expedition. Through a blend of mystery, adventure, personal self-discovery, and colonial history, Hoffman intertwines his own travels with a fictive reconstruction of Rockefeller's mysterious disappearance, shedding light on the power of myth over materialism and the complexities of tribal cultures.
Hoffman's writing style effortlessly weaves together historical research, personal experiences, and new eyewitness accounts to create a compelling narrative that delves into the enigmatic disappearance of Michael Rockefeller. The book explores themes of cultural exploration, the impact of colonialism, and the allure of primitive art, offering readers a thought-provoking and immersive look into the complexities of human nature and the mysteries of the past.
THE SEA FELT warm as Michael Rockefeller lowered himself in from the overturned wooden hull. René Wassing peered down at him, and Michael noticed René was sunburned and needed a shave. Their exchange ... 'The Travels of Sir John Mandeville' is a travel guide written during the 14th century by a man who may not have existed, detailing fantastical and imaginative descriptions of places, creatures, and cultures beyond the known world. The writing style is described as meandering, with a mix of fact and fiction, reminiscent of stories told by a boisterous friend or family member. The book covers the journey of pilgrims to Jerusalem and then delves into bizarre and mythical accounts of demons, cursed areas, and unusual beings like Ethiopians with one giant leg.
