Travel Literature Makes My Heart Beat Faster.. discussion

I've just finished this classic. Any other Newby fans out there? would like to hear your take on Newby's book.

That one was the first audio book I can recall reading - I laughed out loud a lot ... in public! At present, I'm re-reading The Big Red Train Ride, which is okay, but best for a Newby fix than as outstanding travel narrative.

Thanks John. I'll look out for The Big Red Train Ride.

I'd read On the Shores of the Mediterranean before that one. I have a copy of hisSlowly Down the Ganges, which will be new to me.

Looks like I have several pleasurable reads waiting for me. Lets hope the books are in our Public Library system!

I just checked out the A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush.. Looks good.

I loved A Short Walk... It's a while since I read it, but I still have images in my mind of Nuristan valleys full of mulberry trees, as though I had been there myself. It amazed me how ill-equipped they were, by modern standards, for their mountaineering expedition as well. The discomfort and blisters don't seem to affect the mood of the narrative, though.

You may also enjoy Love and War in the Apennines, my favourite of all of Newby's books. I wrote a review of it here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Thanks Luke for the recomm. The Apennines bk sounds rather like Patrick Lee Fermor's bk - sitting in my ever-growing TBR pile. I'll be posting my review of Hindu Kush on my blog shortly - prob in early April , see: http://despatchesfromtimbuktu.wordpre...
Nice to meet you.

Alison wrote: "Thanks Luke for the recomm. The Apennines bk sounds rather like Patrick Lee Fermor's bk - sitting in my ever-growing TBR pile. I'll be posting my review of Hindu Kush on my blog shortly..."

Hi Alison,

I've subscribed to Despatches From Timbuktu, so I'll look forward to reading your review.

Thanks for the pointer on P. L. Fermor, I've not read any of his work yet either, quite a gap in my travel reading! I can relate to the expanding TBR pile.

Nice to meet you, too.

Luke wrote: "Alison wrote: "Thanks Luke for the recomm. The Apennines bk sounds rather like Patrick Lee Fermor's bk - sitting in my ever-growing TBR pile. I'll be posting my review of Hindu Kush on my blog shor..."

Thanks for subscribing to despatches from timbuktu : I'll see you round. P.S. in despatches archives you'll find an article on Freya Starke, noted female/traveller/explorer in the early 1900s - amazing woman; if you're interested. Prob 2 years back

Alison wrote: "...in despatches archives you'll find an article on Freya Starke, noted female/traveller/explorer in the early 1900s - amazing woman; if you're interested..."

I found the post. What an incredible life - she did well to overcome her ill health and childhood factory accident to go on to do everything that she did... and then live to over 100! Reading her letters must have been fascinating. I'll add her to my list.

Luke wrote: "Alison wrote: "...in despatches archives you'll find an article on Freya Starke, noted female/traveller/explorer in the early 1900s - amazing woman; if you're interested..."

I found the post. What..."
Delighted to learn I've signed up another Freya Starke fan. Happy Reading!

Thanks to all for the recommendations. I just finished the A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush and really enjoyed it. I will add other Newby books to my TBR list and also Freya Starke.