360 Degrees Longitude: One Family's Journey Around the World [Paperback]

John Higham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2009

Much more than a travel narrative 360 Degrees Longitude: One Family’s Journey Around the World is a glimpse at what it means to be a “global citizen”—a progressively changing view of the world as seen through the eyes of an American family of four.

After more than a decade of planning, John Higham and his wife September bid their high-tech jobs and suburban lives good-bye, packed up their home and set out with two children, ages eight and eleven, to travel around the world. In the course of the next 52 weeks they crossed 24 time zones, visited 28 countries and experienced a lifetime of adventures. 

Making their way across the world, the Highams discovered more than just different foods and cultures; they also learned such diverse things as a Chilean mall isn’t the best place to get your ears pierced, and that elephants appreciate flowers just as much as the next person.  But most importantly, they learned about each other, and just how much a family can weather if they do it together.

360 Degrees Longitude employs Google’s wildly popular Google Earth as a compliment to the narrative. Using your computer you can spin the digital globe to join the adventure cycling through Europe, feeling the cold stare of a pride of lions in Africa, and breaking down in the Andes.  Packed with photos, video and text, the online Google Earth companion adds a dimension not possible with mere paper and ink.  Fly over the terrain of the Inca Trail or drill down to see the majesty of the Swiss Alps—without leaving the comfort of your chair.

John Higham is an aerospace engineer with an expertise in satellites. He is also an avid traveler, frequently writing and lecturing on his own experience traversing the globe. The Highams live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In June 2005, John Higham quit his job as a rocket scientist, and along with his wife (who also quit her job) packed up their home and for the next 52 weeks visited 29 countries on five continents, and crossed 24 time zones.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books (July 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593501080
• ISBN-13: 978-1593501082
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Family Travel

More About the Author

After completing his graduate degree in aerospace engineering, John Higham moved to the San Francisco Bay Area where he started his career and accumulated ten U.S. patents for various aspects of satellite design. Although he arrived in the Bay Area single, it wasn't long before he met September and they became inseparable. John, September, and their two children, Katrina and Jordan, still live in the San Francisco Bay Area where John continues to design satellites to keep the mortgage current.

When he was about three years old, John used to enthusiastically jump up and down on the bench seat of his family's Ford station wagon, chanting, "Go on a long-long bye-bye!" as the car motored down the highway. Although the days of jumping up and down in a moving car are over, he still gets just as excited at the prospect of going somewhere new.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC!, August 14, 2009

By 

Lisa Jemus "Book Blab" (Calgary, AB) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 360 Degrees Longitude: One Family's Journey Around the World (Paperback)

How I came about this book I just can't remember, and it was just a few weeks ago! I found the authors website based on the book and then I pre-ordered it and got it only the day after it was officially released on July 1st, 2009. WARNING: Full on raving and 5 star shenanigans ahead...
I read this book in 2 days. Not an easy feat as I look after two girls, 9 and 2, AND a 44 year old kid posing as my husband.
Once I read the first few sentences I could not put it down. Now, granted, my husband and I have been talking about a trip like this for as long as we have been together, and we place world travel very high on our priority list, so that could be why I just inhaled the thing. But don't take my word for it either! Just check out Amazon.com! In just 6 weeks this non-fiction delight has garnered ONLY 5 star ratings, and rave reviews. And I can totally understand why.
John Higham is a rocket scientist. Not as in, "Oh gee, it doesn't take a rocket scientist." No, he really IS one. He and his wife took 10 years to plan the "world the round" trip (as one of his children exclaimed in their toddler years), and he not only gives great detail of their travels but it is entertaining as heck and hilarious at times! When was the last time you laughed out loud while reading a travel memoir other than a Bill Bryson? Not only is it wildly entertaining, it is also educational without being text-booky, and honestly? You just feel like you are along for the ride, the tandem bike ride, as that is how this family largely travelled. Surviving on ham sandwiches and hitting the off-off beat track and getting sidetracked by some crazy stuff, you will feel like you know each and everyone of these people intimately. Not only that, if you have any interest at all in travelling the world? This will definitely inspire you to google earth yourself an itinerary.
The other neat thing the author did, he created a layer within Google Earth and there are many photos and extra little anecdotes to follow along as you read. Every time you see the little Google Earth symbol in the text you can visit the website and see the added bonus! GENIUS!


All in all a FANTASTIC read for anyone, but especially those of us wanting to travel with our kids.
To read more reviews please visit [....]

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem, November 11, 2009

By 

Kathy96 (San Francisco Peninsula) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 360 Degrees Longitude: One Family's Journey Around the World (Paperback)

I loved this book. I'm not much of a traveler; I don't enjoy camping; I rarely ride my bike (have never ridden a tandem); and am indifferent to ham and cheese sandwiches. However, this book reached out and grabbed me and wouldn't let go until I'd turned the last page.

As I traveled vicariously around the world with the Highams (Dad John; Mom September, Katrina age 11 and Jordan age 8), I'd hear the train whistles, see the sunsets, get drenched in the rain, and even hobble around with one broken leg and a crutch. But what really impressed me was the Highams themselves: their resourcefulness, their obvious respect and love for each other, their good-natured kidding, their intelligence, their care and friendliness as they met people very different from themselves, and especially their good humor as they dealt with daunting problems.

Their hallmark was flexibility: Katrina breaking her leg but insisting on continuing their trip; shipping their bikes back home and continuing their journey on public transportation (bus, train, plane, boat, guided tours with questionable safety precautions); and being the only hikers hiking Machu Picchu without porters (dad had forgotten to check the box).

The book ended with each participant writing a brief epilogue, revealing how their travels had changed their lives, changed their attitudes toward each other, and changed their attitudes toward those with vastly different backgrounds and experiences.

A thoroughly engrossing read.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, July 1, 2009

By 

aofrog "3lil'speckled frogs" (UT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 360 Degrees Longitude: One Family's Journey Around the World (Paperback)

I am not one to burry myself in a book for hours at a time. Nor am I the type to read passages out loud to family members and friends but as I read this book I found myself doing both.

From the first few pages I found myself drawn in and welcomed as a part of the authors family. It was so easy to become swept away right along with them in their travels. The author does a fantastic job of illustrating with vivid detail the beautiful countryside and then the not so lavish areas as well. There were so many parts where I giggled out loud. As I got caught up in the story going on in my mind I was then able to click on the computer and see first hand the beauty of the landscape and/or the entertaining antidotes of the families travels.

The Google earth layer was entertaining. I found myself putting sticky notes in the book at the parts I wanted to view online because I just had to keep reading to find out what the next adventure or family joke would be.

I loved that the children helped create this book with their journal entries. It certainly is a different perspective to an already witty, insightful and thought provoking book.

I have to admit when I read about some of the locations that this family visited my jaw dropped and I thought to my self `YOU TOOK YOUR KIDS WHERE???'
But as I read my preconceived notions were changed and I took on a different perspective (and admittedly that is NOT an easy thing for me to do). And I am so glad that I got the chance to modify my thoughts as did this family. There were many heartendering experiences that will leave an impression on me even though I didn't experience it first hand. It was so easy to see through the eyes of this family, children included.

I'm sure that I will never have the opportunity to travel the world but after reading the book I wanted to offer my appreciation to the Higham's for allowing me to share their travels Round-the-World.