Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa

by Charley Boorman and Ewan McGregor

Book Overview

Now in paperback, this second remarkable travel book from famed actor Ewan McGregor and his good friend Charley Boorman chronicles their epic adventure ride on motorbikes from Scotland to South Africa.

After their fantastic trip around the w

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416577467
• ISBN13: 9781416577461
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

A fun read

I watched the videos of this and "Long Way Round" and read both books. I thought "Long Way Round" was better, but this was still well worth reading. Ewan and Charlie have a good chemistry and it comes through in the book. The only thing I would have liked to have seen done differently is to have a little more of the support characters such as Russ and Dave involved. The cameraman almost disappeared entirely and he was pretty prominent in the last book. Still an enjoyable read.

Great adventure story

Loved this journey by motorcycle. DVD was wonderful. You wouldn't believe the hardships involved in this trip

Long Way Down

Great book and an easy read. Love the story. Both McGregor and Boorman write in a log entry style and this gives the book a real life feel. I am looking to see the DVD. If you love motorcycles and travel this is a new adventure awaiting.

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

Read the book and saw the show

I saw the first episode of the Bravo series and immediately fell in love. Not only beacuse it's Ewan (and Charlie kinda grew on me too), but because what it's really about is the friendship between these two wonderful men. The bumps along the way serve only to strengthen their brotherly love for each other. The joys and hardships along their path really help them to understand how small our world is and how similar we all are as humans. We all care about our children, a roof over our heads and a good meal, no matter where you are in the world. The times when they visit the Unicef centers just break your heart and make you want to sign your next paycheck over to this great orginazation. The BMW website says Ewan auctioned off his bike for 85,000 pounds for Unicef and a couple other charities. I know I'll be sending them what I can. On a similar note, I got a response to an email I sent the production company and was told they will be releasing the DVD in the US & Canada around January along with the soundtrack CD. The title song from the show is apparently by Stereophonics (I've been unable to find which album it's on) and will be on the soundtrack. I cannot wait!!