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Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain
 
 

Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain [Kindle Edition]

George Mahood
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (610 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £10.99
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Product Description

Product Description

**THE AMAZON UK #1 TRAVEL AND #1 SPORT BESTSELLER**
**£1.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY**

"...spent last night laughing so much my coffee came out my eyes..."

"...this book is quite simply the best I've read in years..."

"...a completely bonkers challenge and a brilliantly funny read, I couldn't put it down..."

"...it reminded me of some of Danny Wallace and Dave Gorman's best bits..."

"...this wonderful story had me crying with laughter more often than not..."

"...inspiring, uplifting, need I say more? Quite brilliant..."

"...funny, totally engrossing and actually quite moving..."

"...one of the most heart-warming, genuinely funny books I have read in a long time..."

"...not many books keep me up 'till 4am, endangering my marriage in the process... Read it now..."

"...for the price of half a pint of beer you'll fill at least 4 pint glasses with tears of laughter..."


FREE COUNTRY: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain

The plan is simple. George and Ben have three weeks to cycle 1000 miles from the bottom of England to the top of Scotland. There’s just one small problem… they have no bikes, no clothes, no food and no money. Setting off in just a pair of Union Jack boxer shorts, they attempt to rely on the generosity of the British public for everything from food to accommodation, clothes to shoes, and bikes to beer.

During the most extraordinary of challenges, George and Ben scavenge through rubbish bins, search for the Loch Ness monster, wash dishes, clean hotels, sing Christmas carols for food, swim in lakes, descend Cornish hills on children’s bikes and cook a barbecue for 30 old people in a field. They spend the night in a greenhouse, a canal boat, a posh hotel, an empty house, a pub, a tent in a car park and a barn with a bull. Through the course of their hysterical journey they are clothed, fed and sheltered by the generous people of Britain; from llama farmers to onion farmers, students to lifeguards, a former rock-star to a former hit-man… and Michael Eavis in a pair of hot-pants. They blaze a trail of open doors and warm hospitality the length of this green and pleasant land, proving that - both monetarily and opportunistically - Great Britain is undoubtedly a Free Country.

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1493 KB
  • Print Length: 319 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1471721159
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0085W00M8
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (610 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,188 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A risk well worth taking 21 Jun 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Wanting to do the Land's End to John O'Groats (LEJOG) bike ride I looked to the internet for advice and found a website all about George and Ben, two guys who had decided to do the trip in a pretty special way. Starting with nothing but a pair of boxer shorts (each) they did the whole trip relying entirely on the kindness and donations of the people they met. It sounded like the idea of a genius or an idiot so when I found out that one of them had written a book about the whole trip I thought I'd give it a go.

I didn't expect much from the book as doing a trip is one thing, but writing about it takes a different kind of skill and a different kind of stamina. However, I reckon Mr Mahood has cracked it. The book is funny, totally engrossing and actually quite moving. There's just something simple and direct about the writing that brings the trip back to life right there in front of you. Maybe it's the sheer riskiness of having to ask complete strangers for food, accommodation, clothes and even bikes that pulls you in. It's hard enough to ask for anything nowadays in our ordered, atomised, urban lives, but these two succeed in pulling out not only the generosity of the people they meet, but sometimes the most bizarre and interesting stories.

When you finish it you will want to do the whole trip yourself. I know I do.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read 9 April 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I rate this book in the top five of my all time favourite reads, I just could not put it down, it was funny and I felt I was on an adventure with these two guys as they cycled end to end of Great Britain. Hats of to them for having the bottle to do what they did and thank you to the people of Britain for helping them on their way. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK........
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, uplifting and oddly gripping 19 Jun 2012
By Mickie
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Genuinely could not put this one down. The urge to see what sort of adventure would face the boys next as they traversed the length of Britain on nothing but wit and charm was irresistible. Wonderful little stories about the many people they meet along the way, as well as every joyous moment and sodden grumble. Very entertainingly written, and truly inspirational in an era when trust seems a rare commodity. Probably the most fun I've ever had for £1:53
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I really enjoyed this book and had so many laugh out loud moments which I had to contain as I was reading this on the way to and back from work. It was so funny in parts that it actually lightened up my evening after a horrible day at work. I almost felt like I was in the ride myself when I was reading it! Great Britain is such an amazing country and I am really tempted to do the cycling myself now, albeit I would do with some money though. Loved it, was a bit sad it ended but well worth reading. You will not regret this! Well done guys! You guys were truly amazing and hilarious :)
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amusing & well written 11 April 2013
By KRF
Format:Kindle Edition
I stumbled upon this by accident and decided to download the sample as I was curious about their challenge but wasnt expecting too much as its not my usual read! However, something about the way it's written got me hooked...it made me chuckle out loud in places and I wanted to read more so bought the ebook. I wasnt disappointed....a very entertaining read and highly recommended, especially for those who dont take life too seriously!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By PaulieC
Format:Kindle Edition
This book does exactly what it says on the tin. It provides a lively and entertaining read and sheds a very revealing light on everything that's both good and a bit weird about Great Britain today.

I'd recommend this book very much for a lighthearted holiday read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A good yarn. 18 Mar 2013
By Jon
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
A great read with lots of humor and a nice pace that kept it going through the whole 1000 miles.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing adventure 13 Mar 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed reading this book about a couple of guys adventures whilst they travelled from Lands End to John O'Groats. It was well written and the authors sense of humour shone through all the ups and downs as they totally relied on the generosity of people they meet on their travels. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in seeing what it takes to make this kind of adventure with no belongings or money. A great read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read loved it all
Great book very easy to read. My brother has just completed the bike ride from Lands End to John o Groats so a friend recommended this book to me. Read more
Published 8 hours ago by maward55
4.0 out of 5 stars More than a biopic of a nation
I really liked the book, and really enjoyed it. Some reviews say that the author was disingenuous to some of the people that helped him; had I been lampooned in the book I would... Read more
Published 8 hours ago by M. C. Hunt
2.0 out of 5 stars Just too cringeworthy
The writer tells the story badly and his attempts at humour are poor but the stories of human kindness do help to get you past that. Read more
Published 11 hours ago by Jason Nevin
5.0 out of 5 stars The best test of British people
How can I best describe George and Ben's adventure, I am sure some university would have paid them to carry out this research into the attitude of British Joe public. Read more
Published 13 hours ago by Mr. G. J. Barber
5.0 out of 5 stars Tiina
Modern charming version of "Three men in a boat", written well and with good humour. Very therapeutic read. Looking for sequels.
Published 22 hours ago by Betty
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring
I found it hard to put down, really enjoyed the adventure, well written, and restores your faith in mankind. I almost came out in blisters in sympathy
Published 2 days ago by Anthony Waite
5.0 out of 5 stars Read this NOW
Two men, in their pants (yes you read that correctly) stand at Lands End and have to make their way to John O'Groats. Read more
Published 2 days ago by J. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars An uplifting demonstration of peoples' generosity
Plenty of people cycle from Land's End to John O'Groats. Very few people start out with no bikes, no money and (almost) no clothes. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Lykewake
5.0 out of 5 stars you have to read this!
What an amazing read! I loved it and would so recommend this to all! I'm impressed by George and Ben and all us in UK
Published 3 days ago by merlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
I absolutely loved this adventure. It was so much fun to read!
Has really spurred me on to go on an adventure.
Published 5 days ago by RK2013
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