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This volume is of wider interest than just old car nuts like me. It is an adventure story of human ingenuity, a unique travelog unlikely ever to be repeated.' --Rt. Hon. Lord Steel of Aikwood [David Steel] Hon. President HERO CLUB [Historic Endurance Rally Organisation]
'Despite being told that such a trip would be impossible, Noel Dudgeon and Roy Follows acquired and modified an old Willly's Jeep before embarking on a 13,000-mile adventure; this is their tale - a detailed account of a remarkable journey through a different world. In the realm of automotive publishing, where the same old topics tend to be recycled this [book] is COMPELLINGLY READABLE.' --Simon Arron The Daily Telegraph
'Roy Follows and Noel Dudgeon have achieved an extraordinary thing. The least we lesser mortals can do is read the FASCINATING STORY.' --Matthew Parris The Times Room House of Commons
'Despite being told that such a trip would be impossible, Noel Dudgeon and Roy Follows acquired and modified an old Willly's Jeep before embarking on a 13,000-mile adventure; this is their tale - a detailed account of a remarkable journey through a different world. In the realm of automotive publishing, where the same old topics tend to be recycled this [book] is COMPELLINGLY READABLE.' --Simon Arron The Daily Telegraph
'Roy Follows and Noel Dudgeon have achieved an extraordinary thing. The least we lesser mortals can do is read the FASCINATING STORY.' --Matthew Parris The Times Room House of Commons
Mark Askew Jeep Books Ltd
'This adventure took place in an old war-time Willys MB Jeep back in 1958. In comparison today's style of off-roading is tame and uneventful.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
There are a number of cars which stand out in my own mind as classics. The E-Type Jaguar, Morris Minor and the original Mini. From the USA, I would have to include the Model T Ford and the 57 Chevvy.
Then there was that mass produced, and often overlooked, hero of just about every World War Two movie ever made, the American Willys MB Jeep. It was not a big vehicle but it was certainly robust. Just attend any of those gatherings in the UK where fans of the vehicles and uniforms of WW2 gather, and you will find far mare Jeeps than any other vehicle from that period. That alone is a testament to a well made car.
These vehicles were, however, runabouts and not designed for the arduous conditions and continual testing demanded by author Roy Follows and his fellow colonial police officer Noel Dudgeon. Just imagine the scene; It is 1957 and these two men are actively fighting communist guerrillas in the Malaysian jungle and discussing their next trip to England for some well-earned leave. Somehow, the decided to drive that 13,000 miles and chose to use a Jeep.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing was in "deciding" to go out and purchase a Jeep - rather than use one just because they had one.
What followed was the most remarkable journey. After all, their's was a small vehicle with a soft, convertible roof (i.e. no roof rack) and they pulled no trailer. They drove through jungles, removed boulders from rivers so that they could pass, they crossed rivers on ferries which had never previously seen anything larger than a cow and bribed the guards at outposts so remote that even they had never previously seen a vehicle.
It was 13,000 miles of the most gruelling, yet rewarding and always exciting of journeys. The funny part was that they even joined the Singapore AA in case of breakdown - though, of course, they never called and asked for their help.
Roy Follows writes in an immensely readable and enjoyable style. If you know of anyone who has a passion for vehicles and adventure, this is the book for them. Buy it for them, but don't open the pages before you pass it on, because you will not be able to put it down.
NM
Then there was that mass produced, and often overlooked, hero of just about every World War Two movie ever made, the American Willys MB Jeep. It was not a big vehicle but it was certainly robust. Just attend any of those gatherings in the UK where fans of the vehicles and uniforms of WW2 gather, and you will find far mare Jeeps than any other vehicle from that period. That alone is a testament to a well made car.
These vehicles were, however, runabouts and not designed for the arduous conditions and continual testing demanded by author Roy Follows and his fellow colonial police officer Noel Dudgeon. Just imagine the scene; It is 1957 and these two men are actively fighting communist guerrillas in the Malaysian jungle and discussing their next trip to England for some well-earned leave. Somehow, the decided to drive that 13,000 miles and chose to use a Jeep.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing was in "deciding" to go out and purchase a Jeep - rather than use one just because they had one.
What followed was the most remarkable journey. After all, their's was a small vehicle with a soft, convertible roof (i.e. no roof rack) and they pulled no trailer. They drove through jungles, removed boulders from rivers so that they could pass, they crossed rivers on ferries which had never previously seen anything larger than a cow and bribed the guards at outposts so remote that even they had never previously seen a vehicle.
It was 13,000 miles of the most gruelling, yet rewarding and always exciting of journeys. The funny part was that they even joined the Singapore AA in case of breakdown - though, of course, they never called and asked for their help.
Roy Follows writes in an immensely readable and enjoyable style. If you know of anyone who has a passion for vehicles and adventure, this is the book for them. Buy it for them, but don't open the pages before you pass it on, because you will not be able to put it down.
NM
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
I am amazed at the true British grit and determination shown by Roy Fellows and Noel Dudgeon in their never-to-be-repeated overland adventure from Singapore to England using only a renovated scrap jeep.
Their sheer ingeniousness enabled them to overcome the many serious obstacles placed in their path - navigating their way through almost impenetrable jungle terrain, ploughing through swamps and crossing rivers in ferries that were at best kept afloat by good luck.
"Four Wheels and Frontiers" is a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone with a spirit of adventure. It makes me feel proud to belong to an era that produces adventurous heroes such as these two men.
Their sheer ingeniousness enabled them to overcome the many serious obstacles placed in their path - navigating their way through almost impenetrable jungle terrain, ploughing through swamps and crossing rivers in ferries that were at best kept afloat by good luck.
"Four Wheels and Frontiers" is a thoroughly enjoyable read for anyone with a spirit of adventure. It makes me feel proud to belong to an era that produces adventurous heroes such as these two men.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
It was received as a gift. The first copy never arrived, postmen fancy jeep books? We did complaine to Amazon, after a short waiting period a second book was sent out. First of all, this is not a cheap paperback. It is a quality hardcover with a protective cover. It has a cloth bookmarker which is omitted from most books these days. My copy was autographed by the author, which was a nice touch. It has lots of sharp black&white pictures, not only about the trip, but the jeep itself. In other jeep/exploration books there is so little about the vehicle itself, but not in this one. The author tells us about the preparation, the mechanical issues, spare parts carried etc. I am very happy with this book, could read it for months, wish it was ten times as long...Thanks Amazon.
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