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Travel Planning Book Store > Travel Planning books beginning with W
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The World Awaits: How to Travel Far and Well |
Author: Paul Otteson
Published: 2001-01-30 |
List price: $16.95
Our price: $11.53
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As of: January 07th, 2009 02:03:23 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Great how to book, but doesn't inspire one to travel
I'm so glad there are books like this, The World Awaits, that tell you and try to show you how to travel overseas.
In fact, my greatest discovery overseas is that: "Beyond North America, the social climate is INFINITELY more natural and free flowing, and I am NEVER without attractive female companionship."
This book though, only gets into a few reasons for international life, describing only a few benefits that are at the tip of the iceberg. The rest if mostly a how-to guide that covers some practical aspects of it. So far, there hasn't been a book that addresses all the deep real life reasons for living overseas. In short, it talks only about the HOW of expatriation, not the WHY. And shouldn' the WHY be dealt with first? That's what all these authors seem to be missing, except for me. Perhaps the "WHY" reasons are taboo?
Thus, I've volunteered to become the first to address the deep "WHY" reasons and put together a website and ebook called Happier Abroad at http://www.happierabroad.com to help inspire people to pursue international living, dating and traveling, and cultivate an awareness of the positive benefits overseas unknown to most Americans, who instead are living in fear and isolation perpetuated by the US media and culture which tells them that there is nothing good outside the US and that you are empty inside and need to work and consume to fill that emptiness. It's a soulless life lacking connectedness with others and inner life.
Check it out. It'll give you a whole new dimension on life.
Thanks for reading this review.
Sincerely,
Winston
 When you want to do something different...
I've read the reviews for this book and can help but notice they are all 5 stars or 2/1 stars. Clearly there is a disconnect.
I read this book a few months before I packed up my life and hit the road to travel for a year (I thought). Up until this point in my life my wildest travels had been traveling around Europe with my parents, a package trip to Tahiti, and many drunken nights in Mexico. Not the seasoned independent traveler. This book motivated me, and gave me a philosophy that just felt right for me. When I finished reading this I was super excited to hit the road - something that had been waning as the date approached.
Well I left and my one year trip kept on getting extended. Almost five years and eighty countries later I finally arrived home again. And I still am a huge fan of this book. I carried the last chapter of the book (the ultra light guidebook) with me the entire time. I still have the mutilated original first edition sitting proudly on my book shelf (just last week I had to wrestle with my wife over my need to keep it.) I am eagerly waiting for the third edition when I will gladly re-read The World Awaits. Perhaps from the position of experience I will be disappointed, but I don't think so.
In short if you have not traveled much (or have not traveled much in the developing world) and think that you might someday want to go on a trip - this book is for you. If you have no desire in traveling, and don't understand why anyone would want to put on a backpack and see what is out there - this book is also for you.
If you have hitch-hiked through West Africa; gone to an airport to get on the next plane going someplace interesting; or keep your travel immunizations and passport up to date "just in case" - this book might not be for you, you've probably already developed your own philosophy and probably do not need to be encouraged to leave your house. But this book might still be a pleasant reminder that there are kindred souls out there...
Peace and safe travels
 The world awaits...but not for me to finish this book!
...because I do not think that is going to happen. I have only NOT finished one other book in my life, but I really did not see any point in spending more time reading past the 3/4 mark of this guide. I did try!
In all fairness to the author, I do not know what I really expected from this book. I read the reviews and thought I would give it a try, though I am usually not one to seek instruction on undertakings as individually-tailored as travel. I like the idea of "threading," but the idea hardly seems novel; one only has to travel once to understand that the journey is measured as much by the travel between destinations as in the places themselves. Aside from this common ground, I find little of the author's advice useful. If you are really going to be doing the kind of cultural trekking that the author describes, you would probably be best to think through your own plan instead and "situationalize" what could happen on your particular route and your plans.
This book may be good for someone who calls a one-week stay in a Las Vegas hotel a vacation. Besides that, I see little difference between the wisened "threader" and the jet-bound traveller who only hits major cities in his/her travels - both are engaged in an experience of going and doing, in their own ways, and not so much about being in a place.
Disappointing rambling
Doesn't truly catch your attention. I've read 4 other world travel books and am only halfway through this one. Kind of rambles on and isn't writtent o be catchy. Go with Vagabonding by Rolf Potts and/or Rough Guides: First Time Around the World for better writting and inspiration.
It had to happen
Greetings--
I'm the author of The World Awaits. I haven't posted anything about my books on Amazon in the past but thought I would now in response to the Rodney Douglass review below--one sharply contrary to all other reviews of both editions of The World Awaits. I realize my book isn't for everyone. I have to admit, however, that such a terse and negative quip stings a bit. My apologies to the reviewer, who I assume purchased the book here and feels that it was money poorly spent.
I would be glad to hear from Mr. Douglas regarding the details of the complaint. I can be reached via worldawaits.com. Others wishing to know more about The World Awaits are also encouraged to visit the site, which is structured like the book and includes many excerpts. I welcome all communication.
My thanks to the very many of you who have supported The World Awaits with encouraging feedback. The third edition is in the works.
I welcome email questions and opinions.
Cheers,
Paul Otteson
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