Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World

by Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor

Book Overview

It started as a daydream. Poring over a map of the world at home one quiet Saturday afternoon, Ewan McGregor -- acclaimed actor and self-confessed bike nut -- noticed that it was possible to ride all... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743499336
• ISBN13: 9780743499330
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding

The photos are great and compliment the journey and the text. A must have for any touring motorcyclist.

Awesome !

What an awesome book, recording an awesome experience. As a biker myself, I was attracted to the book just to read about a trip that is beyond my means and abilities, but the book ended up meaning much more than that to me. It showed me, yet again, that wherever you go in the world (And I've travelled a fair bit of it myself in my work as a seafarer !) people everywhere are just people like you and I, when you get past the religious, political and economic differences that can so often divide us. It also highlights the fact that people who make a living in the film industry are not necessarily unapproachable, self centred and addicted to adulation. They can be warm, human and prone to the same joys, fears and desires as the rest of us. In short, they are human beings who just happen to have a good job. This is not just a good read about a motor bike trip of a lifetime, it is a book that rekindles hope that the world, and its varied people, is a beautiful place after all, and not half as dangerous as some would have us believe. Whether you're a biker, an armchair traveller or just someone looking for an exciting and inspiring read, then this book is for you. I can't praise it highly enough.

A vicarious adventure

Long Way Round chronicles the around-the-world motorcycle adventure of Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor. It's unlikely I'll ever do anything like that in my life, but the book gave me an idea of what it's like. Both of them are entertaining writers and it was a really inspiring book. A great tale of taking an adventure and making it a dream come true; of friendship; and of overcoming obstacles. A great companion to the dvd set.

For what it is... it is a great read.

I normally do not bother writing opinions. You dont know me, my outlook, or how I relate to you.. so what is my opinion worth? But after reading the slew of negative reviews I was enticed to add my .02. This 'review' will actually be more of a scathing critique of previous feedback than a true review of the book (which I do own and read), but the book review is in there. If a person does any amount of online research, such as reading the description of this book before buying it, you will realize it is two fairly well known people taking a trip across a vast distance. Just this fact would inform most intelligent people that an A-List actor and a well-to-do buddy (d-list actor?) would not be loading up 2 mopeds and heading into the wilds without some support. People get hung up on the description of around the world. They said 'AROUND THE WORLD", - not 'touching every continent', - not 'around the world by equator - not 'around the world by your definition. They said they went around the world and they did. They took a route across the Northern Hemisphere that allowed them, with the exception of oceans, to travel by land around the world. They even made the choice to arrive farther west to the US than they needed to. They also chose not to stay strictly to the rail system from Eastern Russia through Manchuria. You also need to accept they will have some sort of support, and accepting they will have some level of support, it was refreshing to see that it was really only 2 Chase vehicles and a Camera-Man also on a bike. The chase vehicles were not super-duper mega prepped uber-vehicles, they were pretty much off the shelf SUVs that also proved their worth in the environment that these travellers undertook. If anyone has watched even one or two episodes of the current crop of reality automotive shows (overhaulin, biker build off, monster garage, american chopper, etc.) on TV, you will notice that those single 1 hour shows have WAY more technical support that these two guys had. They have a bazillion cameras, chase vehicles, and often a helicopter to boot.... all in the US, on pavement, sometimes when it rains, but often they trailer them when it gets to that point. So give these two guys some props. Amatuers with little true MC experience, 2 chase vehicles, and a camera man. People complain about sponsored vehicles. Petty. Sure, they are rich, but rich does not always = willing to throw my own money down when someone else will pay. Otherwise they would = poor. Would any poster here choose to NOT accept corporate sponsorship? ANYONE, would accept free rides over some they had to pay for themselves. They just had the clout to get it done. And while they wanted KTM, BMW was nice enough to pony up. People get tired of the whining in the book... I found it refreshing. they did not excerpt only the glossy, happy go lucky, make me appear loveable to promote my marketability, parts. They presented themselves as they were; uncomfortab

Enthralled

I am hooked on this book and the show on Bravo. As a fan of Ewan McGregor, it's natural I would be enthralled with the book and the show. I read the book during my breaks at work and I hate it when I have to stop to go back to work. The route McGregor and Charley Boorman takes on this trip is brave and gutsy. That's why people think their trip is great, that it's not a normal route. They are essentially taken the "road less traveled". It's interesting to see McGregor and Boorman being themselves. I am more familiar with Ewan McGregor, and it's interesting to see him being himself and not a character. It's not everyday I start a book and is engrossed in it and I am engrossed with this one. You cannot put it down and there are pictures in there of their trip. So, go read the book and if you miss the show, maybe it will come out on DVD, and then buy that too. I'm 1 for 1.