Best Travel Books
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The Best Travel Books In The World
Sitting on a beach while the sun sets into the ocean. Being whisked away in an instant to the Orient. Having an adventure in South America.
Books can help you imagine what it would be like to experience those scenarios without you ever having to leave the comfort of your couch. The fiction captures you and your mind takes you to the destinations mentioned.
This lens is not about the guidebooks from Frommers
, Lonely Planet or Rough guides but about those books that take you on an adventure or thrill ride to places all over the world. The books are in no particular order.
This lens will be an ongoing project where books are added after reading.
Books can help you imagine what it would be like to experience those scenarios without you ever having to leave the comfort of your couch. The fiction captures you and your mind takes you to the destinations mentioned.
This lens is not about the guidebooks from Frommers
, Lonely Planet or Rough guides but about those books that take you on an adventure or thrill ride to places all over the world. The books are in no particular order.This lens will be an ongoing project where books are added after reading.
On The Road - Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac is the voice of the Beat Generation. In On the Road he describes the spontaneous road trips he and his friends took in 1950's America.
Written in just 3 weeks on a scroll of paper the writer taped together, it's a tale of personal discovery, romance and loneliness. The main character finds thrills, adventure, love, sex, drugs, poverty, and excitement while transforming from a weak man into someone whose life experience brings confidence. It inspired numerous people to travel and just experience "life" as it is.
A classic.
Written in just 3 weeks on a scroll of paper the writer taped together, it's a tale of personal discovery, romance and loneliness. The main character finds thrills, adventure, love, sex, drugs, poverty, and excitement while transforming from a weak man into someone whose life experience brings confidence. It inspired numerous people to travel and just experience "life" as it is.
A classic.
The Beach - Alex Garland
After Alex Garland's novel The Beach got the film treatment, many backpackers took a trip to Thailand in search of snake blood and hidden spots. The book however differs in characters, love story and ending.
This book is part adventure, part exploring and explains why we keep searching for an utopia and the possible consequences of that search. It describes a quest for the unknown and the impact exploitation travel can have. It details the need for escapism that travel provides. And it's much better than the movie.
This book is part adventure, part exploring and explains why we keep searching for an utopia and the possible consequences of that search. It describes a quest for the unknown and the impact exploitation travel can have. It details the need for escapism that travel provides. And it's much better than the movie.
Around The World In Eighty Days - Jules Verne
Jules Verne is one of the pioneers of science fiction writing. He wrote about space travel, submarines and aircraft before they were invented. It's more adventure than science fiction, but in Around The World In Eighty Days Verne tells the tale of the adventures of Phileas Fogg who bets one of his friends that he can travel the world in 80 days in the late 19th century.
It's a story about the innovations of that time and the promises they hold, setting the stage for adventure travel of the future. Fogg becomes a fish out of water, trying to hold on to his meticulous habits while on his way finding love and adventure.
The novel has been adapted for movies, tv, theatre and animation.
It's a story about the innovations of that time and the promises they hold, setting the stage for adventure travel of the future. Fogg becomes a fish out of water, trying to hold on to his meticulous habits while on his way finding love and adventure.
The novel has been adapted for movies, tv, theatre and animation.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is all about following your dreams. The story follows a young shepard boy from Spain to Egypt as he follows his heart, meets spiritual messengers in many forms, learns to love and finds his meaning.
It's a quick read with a simple plot, but it provides inspiration on topics like perseverance and spirituality. It's one of those books that makes you feel good to be alive. It's not called a modern classic for nothing.
It's a quick read with a simple plot, but it provides inspiration on topics like perseverance and spirituality. It's one of those books that makes you feel good to be alive. It's not called a modern classic for nothing.
James Bond Novels - Ian Flemming
James Bond
Ian Flemming has created a character who is as well known as anybody in the world. His main character jets all over the world: from the Caribbean to Asia, from North to South America. There probably isn't a continent Bond hasn't set foot on. Thrilling adventures, conspiracies and a suave leading man that solves the most difficult of problems are the trademarks of these novels. The lightweight writing style of Flemming makes these stories easy to digest and highly enjoyable.
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Seven Years in Tibet - Heinrich Harrer
Heinrich Harrer shares his own experiences in Seven Years in Tibet. Harrer, a german soldier, escapes a prisoner camp in India, flees over the Himalaya and ends up in Tibet where he starts to tutor a young Dalai Lama.
Harrer vividly describes Tibetan rituals, customs and traditions as they were before the Chinese invasion. A transformation takes places, where an arrogant man warms up to the simple ways of the Tibetans. Discovering yourself and overcoming obstacles are themes that are woven through this story. Harrer ends with a plead for a better understanding of his adopted country Tibet.
Harrer vividly describes Tibetan rituals, customs and traditions as they were before the Chinese invasion. A transformation takes places, where an arrogant man warms up to the simple ways of the Tibetans. Discovering yourself and overcoming obstacles are themes that are woven through this story. Harrer ends with a plead for a better understanding of his adopted country Tibet.
The Motorcycle Diaries - Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara might be better known as a Marxist revolutionary, politician and guerrilla leader, but in his early years he took notes during a 8-month trip which were later published as the The Motorcycle Diaries.
A 23 year old middle-class medical student is looking for a break from his studies and he and his friend go on a motorcycle trip which should end with them volunteering in a leper's colony in Peru. It's a glimpse into the mind of a young man who would grow up to be a major cultural revolutionary. The story also gives a unique perspective into South American life in the middle of the 20th century. Not only does it humanize a man who's an icon of rebellion but it's also a great travel book about South America.
A 23 year old middle-class medical student is looking for a break from his studies and he and his friend go on a motorcycle trip which should end with them volunteering in a leper's colony in Peru. It's a glimpse into the mind of a young man who would grow up to be a major cultural revolutionary. The story also gives a unique perspective into South American life in the middle of the 20th century. Not only does it humanize a man who's an icon of rebellion but it's also a great travel book about South America.
Jason Bourne Trilogy - Robert Ludlum
Jason Bourne
is a talented but troubled man. He's conditioned to be the ultimate assassin, brainwashed by the government to be the best at what he does. An accident causes amnesia, turning Bourne's life in turmoil. Determined to get his life back, Bourne begins a journey that takes him to places all over the world.
With Bourne, Robert Ludlum created an interesting protagonist, torn between different personalities: having the physical talents to be the ultimate spy, but the mind of a scholar. Bourne travels the world, going from Paris to Moscow to the Orient trying to come to grips with his situation and the scenarios he's been thrown into. Ludlums novels are filled with details and are obviously well researched. Filled with conspiracies, double crosses and thrills they make for an exciting read.
is a talented but troubled man. He's conditioned to be the ultimate assassin, brainwashed by the government to be the best at what he does. An accident causes amnesia, turning Bourne's life in turmoil. Determined to get his life back, Bourne begins a journey that takes him to places all over the world.With Bourne, Robert Ludlum created an interesting protagonist, torn between different personalities: having the physical talents to be the ultimate spy, but the mind of a scholar. Bourne travels the world, going from Paris to Moscow to the Orient trying to come to grips with his situation and the scenarios he's been thrown into. Ludlums novels are filled with details and are obviously well researched. Filled with conspiracies, double crosses and thrills they make for an exciting read.
Loosing my virginity - Richard Branson
Richard Branson might be best known to the world for his marketing stunts and adventures. He tried unsuccessfully to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon, was successful in being the fastest man to cross the Atlantic by boat and the English channel by amphibious vehicle and holds several hot air balloon speed records. He's also a pretty good entrepreneur. In what started as a small record shop, Branson has build his Virgin brand into one of the largest in the world, expanding to fields such as air and space travel, trains, comics and banking.
Losing My Virginity
is the biography of this extraordinary man. It's a delightful read, written in an easy style and you get a real inside look into the man that has been one of the most successful business men of the last centuries. His business and sense for adventure take him all over the world and his tales show his love of life. Not only a book filled with business tips but also a great story on how to enjoy life and be a success on your own terms.
Losing My Virginity
is the biography of this extraordinary man. It's a delightful read, written in an easy style and you get a real inside look into the man that has been one of the most successful business men of the last centuries. His business and sense for adventure take him all over the world and his tales show his love of life. Not only a book filled with business tips but also a great story on how to enjoy life and be a success on your own terms.
Anything to add?
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blue22d
Jun 14, 2009 @ 10:31 am | delete
- Nice lens. Great reference source and I gave it a lensroll. Five stars also. Do stop by and visit my: best100onlineshoppingsites. It could use so love. Thanks.
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vagabondista
Apr 13, 2009 @ 1:01 pm | delete
- Hey, you too deserved it :) great lens. My favorite is definitely The Alchemist, I read it once a year or so...
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lakeerieartists Apr 12, 2009 @ 9:19 pm | delete
- Terrific lens for summer. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
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Ylliks
Apr 6, 2009 @ 11:11 pm | in reply to Treasures-By-Brenda | delete
- You're absolutely right. Hadn't thought of that at all, but it's added now.
Thanks for the suggestion and praise.
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Apr 6, 2009 @ 8:20 pm | delete
- "Which James Bond Novel Have You Enjoyed Most?" That was an impossible question to answer...any chance you could consider adding an "I can't decide" option? 5 stars!
Great work!
Brenda
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by Ylliks
Dutch guy whose interests run from Crossfit, eating Paleo, travel, books, gadgets and a whole bunch of other stuff. more »
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