Customer Reviews

Beyond the Edge

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mike Dennison went to some exotic locations and got photos of himself doing handstands there. That pretty much sums up this book. If you've never, ever, traveled beyond the outskirts of your home town, then maybe - just maybe - this book has something to offer you. But if you've ever been outside the U.S. and have a modicum of curiosity about the rest of the world, you already know more than this book can tell you.

The book's subtitle is "A backpacking trip around the world." The author did not do a "backpacking trip", nor did he travel "around the world". He kept his travel gear in a backpack, but if he spent any time in the back country, he didn't write much about it. As for going "around the world", he visted locations in Southeast Asia, Africa and Western Europe.

The author didn't bother to learn much of the history or geography of the places he visited. As a result his insights are superficial and his descriptions, bland. Despite having made this trip when he was in his 40's, the author seems naive as a teenager. As if to emphasize this adolescent tenor, or perhaps to fill out his thin narrative, he treats readers to facile observations on his traveling companions' marital problems.

It may seem mercurial to give this book one star when others have given it five, but I honestly cannot find a reason to give it more.

I agree with Nobody's business, there wasn't any backpacking story in this book. Also, there wasn't any around the world trip! I would have rated it higher if the title wasn't so misleading. It is a decent book about traveling Asia, and a very small part of Europe. His traveling stories are very good indeed, but that's not what I bought the book for.

Mike Dennison (Dr. Pain to those who know him) is someone who likes to push his own comfort zones as well as those he meets. This book's easy reading style rivets you as he portrays his encounters of excitement and danger. On a budget that would make a homeless person cringe, Mike packed more adventure into his trip than the average person would experience in 5 lifetimes. This book is a must read for those who want to know what it is like to explore other countries in an offbeat fashion. Read it and experience some of the real culture and people of foreign lands. It will invigorate, rejuvenate and challenge you to pursue some of your long forgotten dreams.

Haven't we all had the desire to just chuck it all, throw a pack on our backs and take off. No more alarm clocks, freeways, boring meetings and the million other distractions that keep us from our adventerous instincts. Well Mike did it. Better yet, he takes us all along with him in his fast paced narrative. Without moving from our armchairs we can share both his joyous and trying experiences. This is definitely a book to be revisited whenever the unrequited wanderlust hits.

Haven't we all had the desire to just chuck it all, throw a pack on our backs and take off. No more alarm clocks, freeways, boring meetings and the million other distractions that keep us from our adventerous instincts. Well Mike did it. Better yet, he takes us all along with him in his fast paced narrative. Without moving from our armchairs we can share both his joyous and trying experiences. This is definitely a book to be revisited whenever the unrequited wanderlust hits.

BEYOND THE EDGE may give you a firm testimony that you are "OVER THE HILL" - and quite content to be there. Or are you?

Reading Mike Dennison's book inspired me to take an introspective journey and just make sure that life hasn't become too routine, learning hasn't come to a standstill, dreams haven't been lost, and adventure isn't only possible, but pending

Beyond the Edge is so exhilarating, it makes you want to strap on a backpack and say to Mike, "Let's go!"

The author has the ability to breathe life into his words; you want to forget doing what you should, sink into a chair and travel with him to places you'll never see without his help.

He transports you to a world as seen through the eyes of someone who loves it.