An Idiot Abroad: The Travel Diaries of Karl Pilkington [Import] [Hardcover]

Karl Pilkington (Author), Ricky Gervais (Author), Stephen Merchant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 2011

The companion guide to the hysterical television show of the same name, in which Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant force their arrestingly simple pal Karl Pilkington on a global journey

 

"He'd have been happier in medieval times in a village where you didn't travel beyond the local community."  —Stephen Merchant

A cult celebrity due to his role in The Ricky Gervais Show, the most-downloaded podcast ever, Karl Pilkington has been accused of being a comic creation, so unburdened is he by complex thought—but that is truly just him. The trio's newest project mines Karl massive provinciality: put simply, Karl is not big on traveling. Given the choice, he'll go on vacation to Devon or Wales or, if pushed, eat English food on a package tour of the Mediterranean. So what happened when he was convinced by Gervais and Merchant to go on an epic adventure to see the Seven Wonders of the World? Does travel truly broaden the mind? Find out in Karl Pilkington's hilarious travel diaries.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'He'd have been happier in medieval times in a village where you didn't travel beyond the local community.' Stephen Merchant

About the Author

Karl Pilkington is a Sony Award–winning, Emmy Award–nominated radio producer, best known for producing and cohosting The Ricky Gervais Show on the radio and later in the form of podcasts and an HBO television show. He is the author of Happyslapped by a Jellyfish, Karlology, and Ricky Gervais Presents: The World of Karl Pilkington. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant revolutionized television with their contemporary comic classic The Office, and later collaborated again on Extras. Gervais's many awards include three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmys, and he was on Time's 2010 list of the world's 100 most influential people.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Canongate UK (January 19, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847679269
• ISBN-13: 978-1847679260
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars HILARIOUS! A must for Gervais/Pilkington/Merchant fans! October 3, 2010

By H. Miller

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I haven't finished the book yet, but it is absolutely hilarious so far! If you enjoy anything these guys do, and can't get enough of Karl's logic (or lack thereof!), this book is for you. I have watched some of the show that this book is based on (it's only on in the UK right now, but can be found online). It's one of the funniest shows ever.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Karl Is Cool November 14, 2010

By KRG

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

An Idiot Abroad is the sometimes hilarious and always interesting travel diary of Karl Pilkington, (The Ricky Gervais Show) as he visits The Seven Wonders Of The World. It's important to note that his friends and co workers, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, have made all of Karl's travel plans with the specific purpose of putting him in uncomfortable and difficult situations. I'm not sure that Karl understood this before he left as he thought the title of the book was going to be Karl Pilkington's Seven Wonders. He only learned the title was going to be An Idiot Abroad about half way through the trip! I really liked the book but I was already a fan of The Ricky Gervais Show. Those who have never heard of it may not enjoy the book as much but I found it to be a great read with some humorous photos as well.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you laughing all the was through. November 10, 2010

By Mitzi Downing

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are a fan of Ricky, Steve and Karl you will love An Idiot Abroad. The book is all from Karl's point of view with a few snippets of Ricky and Steve. Karl takes us through the seven wonders of the world as he seems them.