Anyone recommend any good books?
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
cjwdrw wrote:The retired headmistress referred to is Anne Mustoe. She was a classic history teacher who cycled alone around the world. We found the book fascinating, although a bit of a history lesson in parts.
I couldn't finish this book, so, cruelly, gave it away. She had this habit of providing the latin name for everything, and engineering opportunities to mention some ancients from history. If the person she name dropped was well known and from the 20th century, the sentence would end "with whom I took tea at the Waldorf in 1956"
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
Squeezebox wrote:DaleFTW wrote:dgibby wrote:I've quite a collection of cycle travel books and agree with most posts to date. Al Humphreys are prob my favourite reads.
Another couple I enjoyed
Johnny Ginger's Last Ride by Tom Fremantle http://www.amazon.co.uk/Johnny-Gingers- ... +last+ride
Why don't you fly by Chris Smith http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dont-Back-Door- ... 7t+you+fly
He just unfollowed me on Twitter, <i>[rude word removed]</i> him.
I downloaded that Cycles, Tents and Two Young Gents before bed last night, that's alright so far.
Who unfollowed you ?
Al Humphreys I guess. Not me...........!
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
I have recently read and can recommend the following two books. They both describe long distance expeditions done on shoestring budgets using old mountain bikes.
These are not romanticised travelogues but show a reality of overcoming fatigue, sickness, broken bikes and lack of funding.
Dividing the Great by John Metcalfe
Cycling Home from Siberia by Rob Lilwall
These are not romanticised travelogues but show a reality of overcoming fatigue, sickness, broken bikes and lack of funding.
Dividing the Great by John Metcalfe
Cycling Home from Siberia by Rob Lilwall
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Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
+1 For Around the World on a Wheel. In total contrast to today's travel writing, by the end of the book you don't even know the travellers' first names, leave alone their likes, loves and dislikes! JUST READ IT!
Motorists' mantra: Cyclists must obey the law and the Highway Code AT ALL TIMES. Unless their doing so would HOLD ME UP.
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
I enjoyed Travels With Rosinante, Bernard Magnouloux (1988) when I read it about 20 years ago There are a few bits looking back that I may view differently now but there you go......
Also, Ian Hibbell's into the remote places is worth reading. It does make cycle touring sound painful and unpleasant though.
I agree with those who like Josie Dew? I enjoyed her books - in a similar way to enjoying Bill Bryson I guess. Maybe that's unfair?
Also, Ian Hibbell's into the remote places is worth reading. It does make cycle touring sound painful and unpleasant though.
I agree with those who like Josie Dew? I enjoyed her books - in a similar way to enjoying Bill Bryson I guess. Maybe that's unfair?
- simonineaston
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Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
Here's a couple of travel-writing standards I've enjoyed:
Oh, and The Adventures of a Motor-Cycle Despatch Rider During the First World War by WHL Watson (what a title!). My enjoyment of the author's recollection of his war-time experience is probably coloured by the fact that my grandfather did more or less the same - they may even have met!, but it's quite a good read. Not exactly a traditional travel book but it does combine cycling and going abroad...
- A Short Walk In The Hindu Kush by Eric Newby
Three Men In A Boat by Jerome K Jerome
Oh, and The Adventures of a Motor-Cycle Despatch Rider During the First World War by WHL Watson (what a title!). My enjoyment of the author's recollection of his war-time experience is probably coloured by the fact that my grandfather did more or less the same - they may even have met!, but it's quite a good read. Not exactly a traditional travel book but it does combine cycling and going abroad...
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
- jamesgilbert
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Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
I don't think he's been mentioned yet, Patrick Leigh Fermor is well worth a read, especially "A Time of Gifts". He walked across Europe to Constantinople, setting off in 1933 and then worked on secret military missions in Crete during the war.
Not cycling related but fantastic travel writing, especially given the historically significant timing. He also experienced a lot of the generosity from strangers that cycle tourists can still find today!
Not cycling related but fantastic travel writing, especially given the historically significant timing. He also experienced a lot of the generosity from strangers that cycle tourists can still find today!
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
If you can find a copy probably on amazon if anywhere PEDALS AND PETTYCOATS by Mary Elsy
Its about 4 girls in the 1950's cycle camp around post war Europe. Its well written and no pretencious
language. Could not put it down.
Its about 4 girls in the 1950's cycle camp around post war Europe. Its well written and no pretencious
language. Could not put it down.
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
jamesgilbert wrote:I don't think he's been mentioned yet, Patrick Leigh Fermor is well worth a read, especially "A Time of Gifts". He walked across Europe to Constantinople, setting off in 1933 and then worked on secret military missions in Crete during the war.
Read it years ago- I must admit that my memory is that it was somewhat fey and arch - I think I maybe gave up on it.
Was surprised years later that (as you point out) he was involved in serious daring stuff in WWII. His experiences in Crete were I think turned into a film but very probably somewhat fictionalised. Brit WWII films not to be trusted as history.
Apologies if I seem negative or off topic.
Sweep
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
slattery wrote:If you can find a copy probably on amazon if anywhere PEDALS AND PETTYCOATS by Mary Elsy
Its about 4 girls in the 1950's cycle camp around post war Europe. Its well written and no pretencious
language. Could not put it down.
Ta for the recommendation - rings a bell - may have seen it in a bookshop. Great title definitely puts it before the Beatles And I see that one of the Amazon reviwers describes it as being about "four feisty British gals"
Thanks again - don't suppose there's much sex in it though ....
Sweep
Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
I have just read French Revolution s by Tim Moore, really good.
No sex in that though either
No sex in that though either
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Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
Recently read Astrid Doming Molyneaux and Circling the World. Low key, practical and not techie. Her trust in her faith doesn't get over egged and she is really quite inspiring when she relates her encounters along the Camino de Santiago and through Iran. Her travel was facilitated trans continents. By cargo boats soloed leisurely. Postcards from the Edge of Britain(sic) was a great read but you need to google for author and buyit from him. Dry and practical
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Re: Anyone recommend any good books?
Update on names etc
Cycling Full Circle is by Astrid Domingo Molyneaux. Postcards from the Edge of Britain is by Peter Mann. Don't buy either from Amazon. The latter in particular is obscenely expensive so buying from the authors is about a tenner.
Cycling Full Circle is by Astrid Domingo Molyneaux. Postcards from the Edge of Britain is by Peter Mann. Don't buy either from Amazon. The latter in particular is obscenely expensive so buying from the authors is about a tenner.