One Year Off: Leaving It All Behind for a Round-The-World Journey with Our Children

by David Elliot Cohen

Book Overview

Like Peter Mayle gone global, bestselling author David E. Cohen shares his rollicking and wonderfully true tale of his family's year-long odyssey through 14 countries on five continents. Photos.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684836017
• ISBN13: 9780684836010
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

What did you expect??

(...) the children were the BEST part. Isn't it obvious by the book jacket that this is a story about a FAMILY's adventures? Written first person by the Dad, it can only have his perspectives and thoughts, with Devi's and the kids' interjecting every so often. I am amused by their antics and the sibling rivalry is definitely true to life. (Don't) forget that David's purpose to take this trip was NOT to research a book, but to spend time on an adventure with his family, which he does to (most of) our delight. If he had spent more time polishing this book on the journey, I'm certain his joy with the family would have suffered, and I am happy to read the entertainment that he spins for us. Definitely read the book. It's fun, a good read, filled with a couple of practical tidbits (tricks and bribes =)) here and there about travelling with your family. When I have kids I'll definitely do the same, even if they don't appreciate it yet!!

Traveling with kids is different!

I ate it up in 2 nights. It was great to read about traveling with kids, who have their own perspectives and don't care what the guidebook says. The "we took a year off" part was interesting, but the fun part was finding out what the kids liked and why. The humor is welcome. This will make a great gift to parents.

Great book for armchair travelers!

Absolutely delightful book about the year Cohen and his wife quit their jobs, sold their house, and took their three children (9, 7, and 2) on a year-long adventure around the world. Not only is Cohen a great writer when it comes to description of foreign places and sights (I totally want to go to Costa Rica now), but he's also very funny. The two elements combine to make this a very charming book. I heartily recommend it, though I suspect if I were a parent myself, I would've been more horrified than amused at some of the situations they got into. You might want to take that into consideration!

Fantasy and nightmare rolled into one

I just read this in 2 days and I'm so jealous. I would love to drop everything and take off on a big journey. I admire them for taking the kids,seems like a huge undertaking, although it turned out fine. Wish I could've done it when I was a kid; will have to wait to have my own! Delightful, easy, quick read; have already recommended it to others!

Travel vicariously through the adventures of a family

This story kept me fully entertained and laughing throughout! It wasn't just travel but about a family and their adventures. It was inspiring for me to do the same. Reading about so many different places and honest reviews was refreshing. Cohen's sense of humor was such a treat! This book must be read if you like to travel or not!