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Book Description
An enchanting travelogue from a cult figure in contemporary music - Talking Heads frontman David Byrne
Product Description
Since the early 1980s, David Byrne has been riding a bicycle as his principal means of transportation in New York City. A few years later he discovered folding bikes, and starting taking them with him on music tour overseas, and experienced a sense of liberation as he pedalled around many of the world's principal cities. The point of view from his bike seat has given Byrne a panoramic window on urban life over the last thirty years as he has cycled round cities such as London, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Manila, New York, and San Francisco. From music and the visual arts, to globalisation, politics, the nature of creative work, fashion and art, this book gives the reader an incredible insight into what Byrne is seeing and thinking as he pedals around these cities.
Filled with intimate photographs, incredible musical stories and a powerful ecological message, this is a enchanting celebration of bike riding - of the rewards of seeing the world at bike level.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Byrne is a committed cycling campaigner who takes bikes with him as he travels the world, mainly to the cities where his musical and artistic work takes him. When he has time off, he uses his bike - usually a full-size folding mountain bike he puts in a suitcase to travel on planes - to wander about and explore. It is this aspect of the book which most interested me, because he seems to be a practitioner of the derive, the engaged but directionless wander first proposed by the situationists as a suitable way to move through cities.
As the title suggests, the material for the book evolved in diary form over time, and the structure of the book reflects this. It is right, and true to the material, that this should be so, but it does mean that the various entries are of variable quality. Nevertheless, books of this kind, where an intelligent and engaged observer with a liberal agenda but no particular end in mind takes a close look at localities, are scarce indeed. In the hands of a travel writer, or a journalist, a totally different book would have emerged, but actually, this is the book I wanted.
As the title suggests, the material for the book evolved in diary form over time, and the structure of the book reflects this. It is right, and true to the material, that this should be so, but it does mean that the various entries are of variable quality. Nevertheless, books of this kind, where an intelligent and engaged observer with a liberal agenda but no particular end in mind takes a close look at localities, are scarce indeed. In the hands of a travel writer, or a journalist, a totally different book would have emerged, but actually, this is the book I wanted.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has a dual identity, part travelogue, and part common-sense examination of what makes a pleasant, liveable city, and what doesn't. I found this to be a refreshingly straightforward approach, and far more interesting than the average travel memoir.
Byrne is particularly good when examining U.S. cities, from the horrific but fascinating decline of Detroit, to the hopeful reinvention of New York. One excellent passage in particular sticks in the mind:
"Since the onslaught of the automobile in the middle of the last century, and the efforts of its enablers, like Robert Moses in New York, the accepted response to congestion has been to build more roads, especially roads that are high speed and with limited access. Eventually it became clear that building more roads doesn't actually relieve congestion - ever. More cars simply appear to fill these new roads and more folks imagine that their errands and commutes might be accomplished more easily on these new expressways. Yeah, right. People end up driving more, so instead of the existing traffic levels remaining constant and becoming dispersed on the new ribbons of concrete, the traffic simply increases until those too are filled. That's what New York and a lot of other cities are realizing now. The old paradigm is finally being abandoned."
Thank goodness for that.
Byrne is particularly good when examining U.S. cities, from the horrific but fascinating decline of Detroit, to the hopeful reinvention of New York. One excellent passage in particular sticks in the mind:
"Since the onslaught of the automobile in the middle of the last century, and the efforts of its enablers, like Robert Moses in New York, the accepted response to congestion has been to build more roads, especially roads that are high speed and with limited access. Eventually it became clear that building more roads doesn't actually relieve congestion - ever. More cars simply appear to fill these new roads and more folks imagine that their errands and commutes might be accomplished more easily on these new expressways. Yeah, right. People end up driving more, so instead of the existing traffic levels remaining constant and becoming dispersed on the new ribbons of concrete, the traffic simply increases until those too are filled. That's what New York and a lot of other cities are realizing now. The old paradigm is finally being abandoned."
Thank goodness for that.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
While most of the media's favourite darlings worry about their media image, David Byrne has once again showed everyone how it should be done. Like he did in the 80's with his incredibly innovative songs and melodies, here he is paving the way towards a healthier, happier and more environmentally friendly lifestyle. It was very interesting reading this book to see how cyclists cope in other countries. I remember being shocked after a visit to The Netherlands. Cycling seemed the norm. Everyone gave way to cyclists. 8am in the morning and the cycle paths were full of cyclists. Here in the UK everyone seems to drive everywhere. This book inspired me to buy a folding bike and cycle to work. I'm sure if Elvis had read this he would have sold his Cadillac collection and cycled to the recording studio too.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Delightful Ramble
A very unusual book, very rambling and lacking in structure but strangely engaging and enjoyable. David Byrne travels the world with his folding bike, and cycles around almost... Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Brooks
No Che Guevara...
When I picked this up I didn't know that David Byrne had been in Talking Heads, and I still haven't listened to any music by that group. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Woolgatherer
A brilliantly eccentric and highly personal book
David Byrne is better known for his music than his writing output. Although he's authored quite a few books this one stands out as one of his more mainstream offerings. Read more
Published 5 months ago by David Briddock
Gorgeous
Byrne writes with confidence unstylishly and with confidence and every now and then makes fascinating observations. The bicycle is hardly visible.
Published 11 months ago by Roofrack
Fascinating perspective
A fascinating perspective on some of the major cities from a different angle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the discussions/points raised about Urban planning and... Read more
Published 14 months ago by M. P. Royal
Interesting Read
An interesting perspective on the cities of the world and their art, culture and development, from a man who's well travelled. Recommended. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. William P. Anderson
a happy cyclist
I like David Byrn's music so I was confident I'd like this book. I wasn't disappointed. Mr Byrne is an optimist and, in my view writes well,to provide an interesting, cyclists'... Read more
Published 15 months ago by bluemo
Astute observations on city life
This absorbing book reveals David Byrne gazing in wonder and dismay at his surroundings - from his New York neighbourhood, to the cities he passes through, where a visitor can read... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Roger Estop
Present
I bought this a present for someone so I can't comment onthe content of the book.
Delivery was a bit slow although it was coming up to Christmas. Read more
Delivery was a bit slow although it was coming up to Christmas. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2010 by Reggie Patel
not so much about cycling but more about David Byrnes musings
A bit of a disappointment .. Not too much about cycling per-se but more about some of his musing about the politics of various places .. Read more
Published on 10 Feb 2010 by David Harrop
Listmania!
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