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Top Travel Books to Read (Part One)

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Eight travel books everyone should read 

Packing a book or two to enjoy whilst on this summer's vacation? You would do very well considering any of the below, some of our personal favourites will take you to all corners of the world: 

1. First Overland by Tim Slessor.  Buckle up and enjoy the trip of a lifetime. In 1955 to 1956, two teams of recent Oxford and Cambridge University graduates undertook a never repeated London to Singapore overland journey (including Burma one year before it closed its borders to the outside world). The only vehicles capable at the time of such an adventure were, of course, two trusty Land Rover Series I Station Wagons painted in the Oxford and Cambridge navy and sky blues respectively.  

2. A Long Way Round by Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman.  Two celebrities who behind all their fame, are just two ordinary guys who dream of going on an adventure they will never forget. Packed with amusing high jinx and interesting challenges, the book follows their remarkable 31,000 km journey from London to New York on two BMW touring motorcycles. They travel east through Europe, Asia, fly to Alaska and then head across the USA to New York.  

3. Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer.  A true one-off bestselling classic that captivates the reader on every page. A boy's own adventure. Based on the author's real-life experiences of his time in Tibet and at the Forbidden City with the then young Dalai Lama before the invasion by the Communist Chinese People's Liberation Army in 1950. Everyone should read this book. 

4. Call of the Wild, My Escape to Alaska by Guy Grieves.  One man's dream to escape the system and prove there's more to life than being a slave to a desk job. Be warned, likely to make you think about chucking it all in and heading for the hills to live a pure, more simplified life in the wilderness. 

5. Out of Africa by Karen Blixen.  An illuminating insight into one woman's experiences of living in Kenya (then British East Africa) during the twilight days of African colonial life and the British Empire. The book has since been made into a movie starring, Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.

6. Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon.  Something of a classic within its genre, the book follows the author's four-year journey across a staggering 126,000 kms through 45 countries on a 500cc Triumph Tiger 100 motorcycle. 

7. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle.  An autobiographical novel about the author's personal experiences relocating to rural Provence, in France. Full of funny anecdotes and amusing stories giving an intriguing insight into the sometimes frustrating cultural customs of the area. Sure to transport you to the vineyards of Southern France, may even make you consider relocating. 

8. Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence.  British Army Officer Major T.E. Lawrence's ("Lawrence of Arabia") autobiographical account of his time living in Arabia and serving alongside the rebel forces in an advisory capacity during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Incredibly insightful and thought provoking, especially when considering the current state of the Middle East. Again something of a classic. 

You can buy any of the above titles quickly and easily at www.amazon.com

We would love to hear your recommendations

Please let us know in the comments below your favourite travel related books and feel free to share this book list among your friends via Facebook and Twitter. 

(From "First Overland", fording a river enroute through India).

This entry was posted in Adventure & Expeditions, Book Reviews, Inspiration and tagged Inspiration, Book Reviews by . Bookmark this permalink.

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Bonnie

Bonnie says: May 13th, 2015 at 7:41 am

'Touch the Dragon: A Thai Journal - Karen Connelly'. Wonderful insight & preparation in advance of my year spent in Thailand!
Reply
Jonny

Jonny says: May 13th, 2015 at 8:01 am

Hi Bonnie, thanks for your excellent suggestion. We really like the sound of this book and will put it on the 'to read' list immediately. Hope the year in Thailand was fantastic!
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