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Walden On Wheels: On The Open Road From Debt To Freedom (2013)

by Ken Ilgunas(Favorite Author)
3.87 of 5 Votes: 3
ISBN
054402883X (ISBN13: 9780544028838)
languge
English
publisher
New Harvest
review 1: I liked this memoir. I admire the heck out of Ken Ilgunas for knocking out his student debt (almost $40K) in a couple years by working his butt off, living frugally, and taking charge of his life and future. I was rooting for him as he worked in coldest Alaska, voyaged in Canada, and lived in a van in a parking lot at Duke University so that he could remain debt-free while earning his Master's. There is plenty of food for thought in this book, especially with regard to the costs, ends, and ultimate goals of higher education. Ilgunas is witty and thoughtful, though he sometimes repeats himself and, at moments, tries too hard and overwrites. His disdain for suburban and corporate life came across as a bit naive to me ... but I'm a (mini) van driver not a van dweller so ... morewho am I to talk?
review 2: This was an awful book and the author is an awful person.I can't think of a person who, despite having nothing going on, is more judgmental. In this book, he shows the he is a racist, sexist person who is insensitive to orientation and basically any other choice a person has made with their life. And if you work for a corporation, YOU'RE SOULESS! You should be cleaning bathrooms in Alaska like the author. But judgmental about everything.In order to pay off his debt, he had to work. It was a real shock to his system. It really got in the way of his personal development. Every decision he made is either poorly supported or contradicted by other writing. And the other students at Duke? Some of them wanted to become BANKERS. Soulless. Some of them went to prep schools. Nobody was real like him.I bet he's a "nice guy" to boot. less
Reviews (see all)
kool_kat99
Don't usually read autobiographies; this one grabbed me from the beginning.
Chloe
Strong echoes of Into the Wild but really well written and enjoyable.
SaddlebredBella
Good sense of storytelling. Pyrotechnic writing style.
siritha
Good, easy read. But a little self-congratulating.
Shaniqua3
Inspiring
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