Around the World on a Bicycle [Hardcover]

Fred A. Birchmore (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

In 1935 25-year-old Birchmore circled the globe via bicycle: Around the World on a Bicycle presents a lively armchair adventure which examines his many lively world encounters and the trials of visiting relatively primitive environments via bicycle. A fine blend of history and cultural insights: delightful and fun. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 420 pages
• Publisher: Cucumber Island Storytellers; 2nd edition (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1887813128
• ISBN-13: 978-1887813129
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,594,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Common Human Experience from 60 years ago, September 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Around the World on a Bicycle (Hardcover)

I am going to ride a bicycle around the world in the year 2000, so I have been reading a lot of books by people who have done the same. This one is unique because it is about a guy who did it in the 30's on an old "Cruiser" bicycle without any "modern" technology to assist him. It is interesting to contrast his experiences to modern day bicycle touring, to see the differences and feel the almost eerie similarities. One touching moment in it is when he talks in retrospect about "The War," World War I. In his world, WWII has not even happened yet. I look at his young face staring out through old-time, black and white photos and wonder where he is now and what he is doing, or if he is even still alive. I got the book originally from my city's library. It was a first edition (1939). The due date card had date stamps from the 40's and 50's. That "old" and "from the past" feel of the physical book itself was a pleasent aspect. Reading it has been a fun experience on many different levels. It definitely has a different twist than reading the accounts of people who have gone around the world recently. Other good books about around the world bicycling trips: <The Long Ride -- Lloyd Sumner> < Miles From Nowhere -- Barbara Savage> <Seeing Myself Seeing the World -- Sally Vantress> Also highly recommended by other people, and the one that I am going to read next: <The Road of Dreams --Bruce Junek> Happy Reading!! (And Riding!)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what an adventure, September 21, 2000

By 

Guy H. Firor "mountainguybob" (hiawassee,ga 30546) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Around the World on a Bicycle (Hardcover)

I HAD HEARD THE NAME FRED BIRCHMORE FROM MY FATHER AND AUNTS IN ATHENS, GA WHEN I WAS A CHILD. I RECENTLY FOUND A FIRST RUN SIGNED COPY IN OUR OLD FAMILY HOME. WHAT A WONDERFUL ADVENTURE WITH MANY REFERENCES TO HIS HOMETOWN, ATHENS,GA AND HIS BELOVED UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA. IT WAS VERY INTERRESTING TO RELIVE THE WORLD POLITICS AT THAT TIME. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERY CYCLIST. THERE WAS A RECENT FRED BIRCHMORE SIGHTING AT THE WOLF CAMERA STORE AND THE YMCA IN ATHENS.HE AND HIS WIFE CONTINUE TO WALK AND SWIM ALMOST EVERY DAY.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fond Memories, July 2, 2000

By 

Victor H. Waldrop (Arlington, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Around the World on a Bicycle (Hardcover)

This book first caught my attention in a public library some 40+ years ago, and I have never forgotten it. Birchmore's accounts of exhaustion, danger, exhilaration, and discovery are themselves thrilling, a testament to physical and emotional stamina. For armchair traveler and potential world explorer alike, this is an account to treasure.