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The Lunatic Express: Discovering The World... Via Its Most Dangerous Buses, Boats, Trains, And Planes (2010)

by Carl Hoffman(Favorite Author)

3.67 of 5 Votes: 2

ISBN

0767929802 (ISBN13: 9780767929806)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Broadway Books

review 1: Some parts of this book made me feel uncomfortable at the thought of making such journeys myself. Then again, some of my past conveyances have felt like they could have been the last. On that basis, I could remotely relate to the author's experiences -- although I didn't make those journeys to flirt with death. On some level too I could relate to his need for private space, the need to be away from loved ones to recognise what one is alienating one's self from, and how one returns to that very 'stifling' state which, because of time on the road, becomes the 'other' one had left home for. But as the book came to a close, I arrived at the conclusion that the author is suffering from First World problems. He essentially lacks drama in his life.
review 2: Lunatic E... morexpress is a rare book. Carl Hoffman, a retired reporter and journalist, has spent his entire life chasing adventure, leaving home for months at a time. Feeling restless again, Hoffman decides to take a trip around the world - but not an ordinary backpacking tour or a relaxing cruise. Rather, Hoffman decides to do some exploring. But exploring of this kind may be suicidal... When Hoffman embarks on his dangerous journey, planning to circumnavigate the globe via the world's most dangerous transportation, he knows that death, robbery, or murder are all very real possibilities. Yet Hoffman has the courage to do what so many of us who have caught the travel bug long to try: packing a bag, booking a ticket, and just figuring it out as we go along. And while he knows that he should expect an experience like none before, Hoffman is still taken aback by what he experiences throughout his journey. Hoffman's stunning tale of travel and connections made around the globe is both surprising and obvious; it provides glimpses of life outside of our sheltered American perceptions. His realizations about the differences and similarities of life all around our planet are humorous, emotional, and eye-opening. And as Hoffman journeys through scores of countries and spends 159 days away from home, he begins to suspect what it is about himself that has kept him from his own family and home for so long... I loved this book from beginning to end. Hoffman's connections - however fleeting they are - leave a lasting impression on any reader. His style is light, humorous, and frank, but every so often, he articulates something that really digs deep into our human subconscious. In this tale of travel and adventure, we see glimpses of the universality of our shared human nature. Hoffman brings people and places from all over the world to life in the pages of this book, and any reader is sure to catch the travel bug from this wonderful piece of world-encompassing literature. less

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