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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Backpacking stories for those who've been there...or want to, 18 Aug 2002
By A Customer
Peter Moore is an accomplished Aussie traveller who's written several books on the backpacking experience, and continues to write travel columns for major newspapers all over the world. Moore has been lucky enough to creep into some of the most legendary travelling spots - Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iran, amongst others - an experience which for many travellers will now be impossible.NSITT is a nice collection of reminiscences from his travels, and serves as a nice introduction to the wonders (and horrors) of backpacking travel for those who haven't been there, and as a hilarious reminder for those of us who have. The tone of the book is jokey, and packed with "Top 10" lists from "Big Nights Out" to "Traveller's Ailments". It's a fun, easy, sarcastically humorous read - an ideal gift for someone who's about to set out on the road. If you've read any of Peter Moore's travel books already, you may be slightly disappointed to find it's basically a collection of episodes which he's already described in detail in his other books, dressed up as the classic "shaggy dog" stories that you hear from travellers everywhere. Some of the episodes crop up repeatedly in different categories, too. I suspect that a bit of "exaggeritis" (something he warns about as a classic traveller's ailment), may have crept in in parts, and it's strayed a little too far towards the "comedy foreigners" portrayal in other areas. Still, it's a useful book for the backpacker wannabe, as it manages to get across the essential messages of looking after yourself on the road, without becoming too dark and scary. Moore's experiences are at worst, whimsical, and his infectious optimism makes the best of unpleasant situations. This isn't a total backpackers' guide, and perhaps might give the impression that backpacking is safer and more fun than it frequently turns out to be. I'd advise anyone who's thinking about going on the road to go out there as well-advised and well-prepared as possible, and take some of the advice in here with a large pinch of salt. But, it's still a pleasure to read, full of funny stories and some great tips. Picador's "Worst Journeys" is a better book on the unpleasantries of travel, but as a lightweight and fun take on the backpacking scene, it's great. Just remember that the real world can be a much darker and scarier place.
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by Peter Moore
by Peter Moore
by Peter Moore
