a blog about travel literature
Is this book going to be any good for you even if you’re not a fan of hardcore punk?
it’s 1980, and a young punk enthusiast called Henry Lawrence Garfield from DC gives himself a new last name, thus becoming Henry Rollins. When his favorite band Black Flag asks him to become their new lead singer, he accepts…
If this guy writes so well and goes to so many cool places, then just why is this book he wrote so bad?
in the early 2000s, Xiaopeng is a young Chinese white-collar worker who decides to see the world. He travels around China, then ends up as an exchange student in the Netherlands. From there, he sets out to do the Grand Tour of Europe…
A forced adventure.
In the early 2010s, German TV journalist Dennis Gastmann decides to walk from Hamburg to Canossa in Northern Italy…
The big head.
In the early 1980s, Joachim Fest is considered one of Germany’s finest intellectuals…
Across time and space.
In the early 19th century, Johann Gottfried Seume, an editor from Leipzig, decides to embark on a trip to Italy…
Brief old school.
In the early 14th century, Odoric of Pordenone, a Franciscan monk from Italy is being sent on a mission to proselytize the people of Asia.
Dirty Harry.
In the early 1820s, Heinrich Heine is already a pretty successful German poet/journalist. He goes on several journeys to Berlin, Poland, the Harz, the North Sea, Italy and England…
The real Baudolino.
In the 14th century, English knight Jean de Mandeville claims to have traveled around much of the known (and unknown) world…
A wagging finger.
In 1325, young Moroccan scholar Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta embarks on his hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. But he doesn’t stop there…
The boring genius.
In 1786, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe leaves the confines of literary Germany to look for inspiration in the sunnier climes of Italy…
The ultimate travelogue is a bit slow.
In the 13th century, Marco Polo, a merchant’s son from Venice, accompanies his dad and his uncle on a decades-long trip to China and back…