Comments on: The 50 Greatest Travel Books Of All Time

By: Lance Goler

Lance Goler — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:59:26 +0000

The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton should be high on this list and a must read for anyone serious about travel, a beautifully executed book that impresses with its insights.

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By: Gabrysia

Gabrysia — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:42:09 +0000

Shantaram!

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By: Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:36:17 +0000

Of course Theroux’s been included! It’s a given. In every Theroux book, you’ll learn nearly as much about Theroux (or the character of Theroux, travel writer) as you do about the place. Maybe even more. Not necessarily a bad thing.

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By: William Wallace

William Wallace — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:35:41 +0000

I can think of a few good books not mentioned but there might be children, prudes or Americans reading this so wont mention them……..!

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By: Granzama

Granzama — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Im on line with some of your book list, but what happens with Davinchi Code? Terrible history, non historic based, totally fictioned. How about Rebecca West´s Black Lamb, Grey Falcon? or Darymple´s “From the Saint Mountain”. You must not forget Javier Reverte´s “The Lost paths of Africa”.
Sorry but i think you must read more (and not only in English).

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By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:41:32 +0000

Interesting list, though why stop at 50, of course.

I think the Mother of all travel books is Homer’s Odyssey.

Stendhal, Goethe, D.H Lawrence, and many other great 18th ,19th, 20th century writers wrote superb travel books which were at once literary and perceptive, though not all well known in the U.S.

And then there is the whole notion that travel writing is as much imaginative as it is literal, with great poets able to transport themselves into different periods though their access to classical literature and culture.

There is always a tendency to favor works which are closer to our time, and which to my mind will not stand the test of time: e.g. “Under the Tuscan Sun.”

Thank you making the list as a point of departure.

We had some travel writers provide a list of their favorite books as part of an ongoing project:

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/travel_writing/index.shtml#travel_writers_favorite_books

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By: DD

DD — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:15:14 +0000

Awesome list of books I have read and cherished and others I look forward to reading . . . a few of my personal favorites:

Hearing Birds Fly by Louisa Waugh
An African in Greenland by Tete-Michel Kpomassie
Songlines by Bruce Chatwin
White Masai by Corinne Hoffman

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By: Kanye

Kanye — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 19:25:00 +0000

Yo Michaela Lola, I’m really happy for you, and Ima let you finish, but “The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy” is the best travel book of all time, OF ALL TIME!

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By: Alan

Alan — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 11:44:00 +0000

You left out “The Marsh Arabs” by William Thesiger

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By: Rose

Rose — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:37:59 +0000

I haven’t looked back to see if it’s already mentioned, but I also want to recommend “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” which has a lot to do with travel- it’s all about the characters you meet along the way. I think it might be 1st equal with Life of Pi for my favourite books.

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