The New American Road Trip Mixtape by Brendan Leonard Brendan Leonard lives in a van. Even though Brendan has never left the United States, the brave native Iowan has climbed most of the big peaks in the Western United States, including those at the Rockies, Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Canyonlands, Sawtooths, and elsewhere, and has written about his adventures for Climbing, Backpacker, Men’s Journal, Adventure Journal, Dirtbag Diaries, and … [Read more...]
Traveling in Sin By Lisa Niver Rajna & George Rajna
“When traveling, flexibility and solid team work are essential”- Lisa Niver Rajna When I travel I love to read. It makes the long train, bus or flight times go by much faster. Therefore, on my recent vacation (September 2013) I started reading “Traveling in Sin” during my flight to Bari, Italy. I was immediately hooked. The book is a travel memoir, a collection of stories, very useful travel information and quite a bit of romance. It is … [Read more...]
The Freeways of Los Angeles
The Freeways of Los Angeles by David Thompson It is hard to review your own book and not be biased - but writing this review should theoretically be easy! The Freeways of Los Angeles highlights all the major freeways in the Los Angeles and Orange County Metropolitan Regions. Short descriptions are provided about each freeway which in part includes their common names, photographs, special geographic features, and other items of interest. … [Read more...]
All Aboard
All Aboard by Jim Loomis This (3rd edition) is the definitive book to train travel in North America. The recent train movie "Unstoppable" starring Denzel Washington won't put a stop to the increase in train travel. High gas prices, hassles in airports etc have helped contribute to an increase in ridership over the past few years. The chapter "how it all began" provides excellent perspective and history of trains in the United States. and … [Read more...]
The Bear Went over the Mountain
The Bear Went over the Mountain by Carll Tucker Part history, part reflection, part introspective - this book is an entertaining read about one man's travels throughout the United States in a motor home named Migrant. The core of his journey is to visit all grave sites and memorials for every US President and Vice President (color photos included). Witty & sometimes humorous commentary combined with historical introspection makes this a … [Read more...]
States of Confusion
States of Confusion by Paul Jury More often than not one doesn't know what he wants to do with his life after school. Some of us work a variety of jobs until we somehow figure it out, or not. Others procrastinate for a while until they get a "real" job. Others take 19,000 mile road trips and then write about it; such is the case of Paul Jury. He set out on a mission to visit 48 states in 48 days with a budget that was next to nothing and a heavy … [Read more...]
Signspotting III
Signspotting III by Doug Lansky is the latest book from master Signspotter compiler Doug Lansky. This is a collection of weird, misspelled, unusual uses of the English language and other entertaining signs from around the world. You may have seen Doug's signs in your local newspaper especially in the travel section. This book compiles some very entertaining signs including a plethora of bathroom humor, irony, signs that just don't make sense and … [Read more...]
Lunatic Express
Lunatic Express by Carl Hoffman This is a fascinating read about travel through countries with some of the world's craziest and most dangerous transportation networks. Author Hoffman's recollections of his journey are gripping, engaging, reflective and at times humorous. He travels as locals would almost always in the lowest seating class - from the insanely crowded Mumbai trains where over 4,000 are killed annually due to train related … [Read more...]
The Hungry Cyclist
The Hungry Cyclist by Tom Kevill-Davies We first heard about the Hungry Cyclist when he stopped over in the Napa valley several years back. Imagine our delight to one day hear that Tom had written a book about his epic journeys on the bike in the America's. Tom quit his job, left his girlfriend and the comfortable life in England to hop on the back of a British touring bicycle and peddle all the way from New York City to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil … [Read more...]
Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure
Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure by Matthew Algeo This is a delightful fast paced read about a 19-day road trip Harry Truman and his wife Bess took from their house in Missouri to Washington DC and back again in 1953 soon after leaving the presidency. Times were simpler back then for ex Presidents as they were able to make this trip as private citizens (President Truman drove) without the accompaniment of secret service. They were actually … [Read more...]