Why not? After all, no-one had ever done it before. It would be one of the longest of all overland journeys-half-way round the world, from the English Channel to Singapore. They knew that several expeditions had already tried it. Some had got as far as the deserts of Persia; a few had even reached the plains of India. But no-one had managed to go on from there: over the jungle-clad mountains of Assam and across northern Burma to Thailand and Malaya. Over the last 3,000 miles it seemed there were "just too many rivers and too few roads". But no-one really knew... In fact, their problems began much earlier than that. As mere undergraduates, they had no money, no cars, no nothing. But with a cool audacity, which was to become characteristic, they set to work-wheedling and cajoling. First, they coaxed the BBC to come up with some film for a possible TV series. Then they gently "persuaded" Rover to lend them two factory-fresh Land Rovers. A publisher was even sweet-talked into giving them an advance on a book. By the time they were ready to go, their sponsors (more than 80 of them) ranged from whiskey distillers to the makers of collapsible buckets. In late 1955, they set off. Seven months and 12,000 miles later, two very weary Land Rovers, escorted by police outriders, rolled into Singapore-to flash-bulbs and champagne. Now, fifty years on, their bestselling book, First Overland, is republished-with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough. After all, it was he who gave them that film.
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An altogether delightful book... written with humour and beguiling gusto. --Times Literary Supplement
I think that this is the best travel book I have ever read. --The Motor
Fifty years on, their journey and its telling have become both an epic and a classic. --Sir David Attenborough
I think that this is the best travel book I have ever read. --The Motor
Fifty years on, their journey and its telling have become both an epic and a classic. --Sir David Attenborough
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My connection with this book is a long one as I first read it in the 1960's and I was pleased to see it back in print. One of the sponsors the trip was Brooke Bond and my late father-in-law was the Indian based representive of the company and looked after the group when they were in Delhi - their exploits are recorded in the book which includes an hilarious TV performance on Indian TV.
In 1994 I brought the whole group together at Magdelene College Cambridge for a celebratory dinner at which it was intended for my father-in-law to meet up with them after 40 years but sadly he died just before the dinner took place. We pressed ahead and it was very interesting to meet all of the travellers who had not been together for many,many years. The book for me is the most evocative "road" book ever and is a prototype for many of the books on motorised travel that have appeared since. The period they travelled in (1954-5) was the last knockings of the Empire and traces of the Second World War were in one case at least an important part of making the journey work. The only other book of similar importance, in my opinion, of the long distance traveller is Ted Simon's "Jupiter's Travels" a journey he undertook in 1975 by Triumph motorbike. But this is a truly great travelling book and should be read by anyone with the travelling bug.
In 1994 I brought the whole group together at Magdelene College Cambridge for a celebratory dinner at which it was intended for my father-in-law to meet up with them after 40 years but sadly he died just before the dinner took place. We pressed ahead and it was very interesting to meet all of the travellers who had not been together for many,many years. The book for me is the most evocative "road" book ever and is a prototype for many of the books on motorised travel that have appeared since. The period they travelled in (1954-5) was the last knockings of the Empire and traces of the Second World War were in one case at least an important part of making the journey work. The only other book of similar importance, in my opinion, of the long distance traveller is Ted Simon's "Jupiter's Travels" a journey he undertook in 1975 by Triumph motorbike. But this is a truly great travelling book and should be read by anyone with the travelling bug.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Csa Melville
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved reading this book and will buy it for my family and friends for Christmas. In an age when travel means airports and starbucks, it was so refreshing to read of travellers who crossed all the borders and mountains that separate us from Singapore and the Pacific. There were mountains and rivers of which I had not even heard. One minute they were following the crusaders and the conquests of Alexandra the great, the next they were removing fan belts to ford the wide rivers beyond India. I also loved the honest account of a bunch of bright Oxbridge Graduates couped up in two landrovers for almost a year; it made big brother look pretty tame and uniteresting. Read this from any background and you'll enjoy it. But beware, you might get itchy feet....
David Melville
David Melville
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Tigs
Format:Paperback
I first read this book 34 years ago when my father allowed me to handle his 1st Edition Hardback. It is a true travel book - intrepid chaps (almost) biting off more than they could chew and puttering along in Series 1 Landies. Their observations on the world around them are as valid today as they were then - read their comments about the various nations competing for business in the Middle East. How little has changed! Their domestic arrangements inside the Landies makes amusing reading - especially of note are their methods of air-conditioning and washing their clothes. This book is a gem - buy a copy for all your friends!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Overland to Singapore
Have listened to the disc which was excellent so decided to buy the book - which is just as good if not better
Published 1 month ago by Mrs Rosemary J Chapman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Feed the wanderlust
Really appreciated by my 12 year old nephew, whom I have promised an overland trip with when he's 18. So impresses he and my sister have already been to see 2 land rover 90 s.
Published 1 month ago by Tiger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
The bravery and patience of such people planning and carrying out such a journey is something I can admire all the time
Published 3 months ago by Blind Badger
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. If you like journeys with a difference this is a good read. Would like to do something like this myself.
Published 10 months ago by Mr. G. E. Robertson
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great read both for travel and end-of-empire attitudes.
I'm a Land Rover fan and from the Land Rover Series Once Club forums heard about the re-creation attempt. This got me interested in the original trip and so I got hold of a copy. Read more
Published 10 months ago by G. J. Earnshaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
It got us off our backsides
We were cheesed off, working in an engineering factory, got drunk and decided to do a "round the world" trip. Sobered up and wavered, then read the book and we were hooked. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Yooung Nigel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Overland to Singapore by Landrover
I bought this book for a landrover enthusiast (to the extent that he has built his own!). I was a bit worried by another review which said it was mostly about the drinks parties... Read more
Published 20 months ago by momcat
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
It took my husband back to his expedition days fifty years ago and also made him realise how things have moved on since then. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Sue
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic
A great story, you can't tell it was written fifty odd years ago due to the 'young' writing style of these obviously bright and a little bit mad men. It's an excellent read.
Published on 25 Feb 2011 by Amazonian
4.0 out of 5 stars
A look back
Its when you read books from this era you realise how publishing and writing styles have evolved. Its so classical in its narrative it gives a beautiful perspective on the values... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2011 by Andy
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