360 Degrees Longitude: One Family's Journey Around the World

by John Higham

Book Overview

Much more than a travel narrative 360 Degrees Longitude: One Family s Journey Around the World is a glimpse at what it means to be a global citizen a progressively changing view of the world as seen... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593501080
• ISBN13: 9781593501082
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Alyson Books
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A gem

I loved this book. I'm not much of a traveler; I don't enjoy camping; I rarely ride my bike (have never ridden a tandem); and am indifferent to ham and cheese sandwiches. However, this book reached out and grabbed me and wouldn't let go until I'd turned the last page. As I traveled vicariously around the world with the Highams (Dad John; Mom September, Katrina age 11 and Jordan age 8), I'd hear the train whistles, see the sunsets, get drenched in the rain, and even hobble around with one broken leg and a crutch. But what really impressed me was the Highams themselves: their resourcefulness, their obvious respect and love for each other, their good-natured kidding, their intelligence, their care and friendliness as they met people very different from themselves, and especially their good humor as they dealt with daunting problems. Their hallmark was flexibility: Katrina breaking her leg but insisting on continuing their trip; shipping their bikes back home and continuing their journey on public transportation (bus, train, plane, boat, guided tours with questionable safety precautions); and being the only hikers hiking Machu Picchu without porters (dad had forgotten to check the box). The book ended with each participant writing a brief epilogue, revealing how their travels had changed their lives, changed their attitudes toward each other, and changed their attitudes toward those with vastly different backgrounds and experiences. A thoroughly engrossing read.

Adventurous, Hilarious Read

I just completed the book for my book group, and have decided that it will be my gift of choice to friends and family this holiday season. I found it an easy, witty and fascinating read as I imagined the Higham family trapsing around the world. Easy to pick up and hard to put down, I have learned a good deal about different peoples and countries in the world, and burst out in frequent laughter. My 8-year old daughter enjoyed listening to excerpts, and was then motivated to find locations on maps or look online for more information about a particular topic. It has inspired me to think of destinations outside of my comfort zone for family travel, as well as contemplate ways to just plain spend more time with my own family. This book is a sure pleaser!

Highly recommended!

I am not one to burry myself in a book for hours at a time. Nor am I the type to read passages out loud to family members and friends but as I read this book I found myself doing both. From the first few pages I found myself drawn in and welcomed as a part of the authors family. It was so easy to become swept away right along with them in their travels. The author does a fantastic job of illustrating with vivid detail the beautiful countryside and then the not so lavish areas as well. There were so many parts where I giggled out loud. As I got caught up in the story going on in my mind I was then able to click on the computer and see first hand the beauty of the landscape and/or the entertaining antidotes of the families travels. The Google earth layer was entertaining. I found myself putting sticky notes in the book at the parts I wanted to view online because I just had to keep reading to find out what the next adventure or family joke would be. I loved that the children helped create this book with their journal entries. It certainly is a different perspective to an already witty, insightful and thought provoking book. I have to admit when I read about some of the locations that this family visited my jaw dropped and I thought to my self `YOU TOOK YOUR KIDS WHERE???' But as I read my preconceived notions were changed and I took on a different perspective (and admittedly that is NOT an easy thing for me to do). And I am so glad that I got the chance to modify my thoughts as did this family. There were many heartendering experiences that will leave an impression on me even though I didn't experience it first hand. It was so easy to see through the eyes of this family, children included. I'm sure that I will never have the opportunity to travel the world but after reading the book I wanted to offer my appreciation to the Higham's for allowing me to share their travels Round-the-World.