Customer Reviews

Common Sense and Whiskey: Travel Adventures Far from Home

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this book, I found myself in Greenland, along with many other places, cold and a bit scared. Not being one to do this kind of travel,the author took me there. Vividly feeling it all.
Mr. Murray takes you to places no one readily goes. He brings you into the lives of people you"ll never know but wish you could. And he does it beautifully.
Kudos to Mr. Murray. A wonderful read for anyone,especially those who enjoy the road seldom traveled.

-A blunt, dare I say: "Guide Book" into the reality of "Adventure Travel".
If you love stories about tropical beaches, amusement parks or milky white sandy beaches; then this isn't the book for you.
Bill Murray takes a collection of his fifteen most memorable trips and opens your eyes to the frequently good, bad, and of course, ugly parts. You'll find stories which make you ask "Why the heck did he go there?" Only to find out he might have asked himself that once he was there as well. From a hacking woman in a broken down "guide vehicle" in Tibet to an arduous train ride through endless birch forests along the Trans-Siberian Railway, this book is a wonderful insight into the world of "Traveling off the Beaten Path, Road, Waterway, or Train Track".
I would recommend this to anyone, especially if you've never been to these places. It will certainly spark your interest and for most, will add to the places on your list of "places to see"

I've been a fan of the author's EarthPhotos website and CS&W blog for some years, so I was delighted to learn that Mr. Murray has published some accounts of his many travels around the planet. Here, he details fifteen of his more challenging adventures with wit and style, along with a keen eye for detail that will surely entertain and edify the armchair traveler.

This is no "how to" travel book, a la Rick Steves. Instead, you're transported to these exotic locales via Murray's clear, concise prose that provides the reader with a real sense of what these countries offer to the intrepid traveler. Along the way, you will be introduced to some truly memorable characters in a few of the world's more out of the way places.

Whether you're a seasoned travel veteran or someone who merely dreams of seeing the world one day, I think you will enjoy this evocative book of "modest adventures, far from home".

Common Sense & Whiskey was a fun read! Not only does author Bill Murray take you with him on his adventures around the globe, he writes it in such a way to keep you interested and wanting more. I have not read a book on foreign travel this much fun since PJ O'Rourke's "Holidays In Hell". Bill is truly a globe trekker and want's not only to experience the people and places he visits, he wants YOU to feel like you've been there too! My hat is off to you Bill. Job well done... keep travelling and writing, I look forward to more of your adventures.

As this book was my introduction to the travel genre, I began reading with a guarded optimism. What I found was a delightful and engaging journey to places off the beaten path, but full of life and story. Bill Murray writes in a style that is easy to follow and full of description that transplants the reader to that time and place. His description of the people along the way, is what fasicinated me the most. This book is a must read and one that is hard to put down. I longed for the next chapter and the thought of where I might be led to next. If you are looking for a book about well-known and well-traveled spots this is not the book for you. But if you are looking for a book that takes you to Greenland, the mountain roads of Bhutan, or a trip on the trans-siberian railroad, this is your kind of book. It's not about the destination, it is about the journey.

Bill Murray is a great story teller and a wonderful writer. He made me feel like I was right there with him. This is not an ordinary travel book,this is more like an adventure book for out of the way places. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

This tale is intricately woven to arouse your senses, emotions and spirit. The beauty of this book is that Bill Murray brings his readers along, as traveling companions. I could feel his breath and internal struggle, as he hiked up that summit. I heard the bird's curious song, and smelled the wetness of the jungle, as the warm sunlight dappled through the canopy. I love how he turns a phrase, uses metaphors and words, like circumlocutionary. His observations of simple details made me chuckle. His evocative descriptions of the locals, rituals, scenery and meals had me momentarily transfixed. Bill's photographs at [...] are great companions for this adventure. When I finished the last chapter, I longed for more. But let's start at the beginning, for a first time author, Bill Murray has found his voice! I anxiously await the release of the audio-version. Give this essential gift to your friends and fellow travelers. He has eloquently captured the essence of world travels, & it's a wild ride.

"Off the beaten path" indeed...

Bill Murray, long-time traveller of the world, has finally put 15 of his travel journals together within one book for a great read! These are travel destinations that most will only think about going to (or watching the latest documentary on the National Geographic or Travel Channel), but Murray's crisp and concise writing takes you along for the journey.

From riding the Trans-Siberian Railroad to climbing Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo (the highest point in Southeast Asia), the narrative is short, sweet & to-the-point. And besides being a prolific raconteur of distant places and remote people, Murray is a master photographer that never misses a chance to both show-and-tell along the way.

For more color photos and additional commentary, you can go to A Common Sense & Whiskey Companion at:

[...]

This is a "Common Sense" companion that makes Prarie Home proud!

This read is outside of the genres I normally read. I did rather enjoy the journey. If you are like me, a rat on a wheel destined to run until my heart explodes, you will enjoy this get-a-way with the masters of travel - Bill and Mirja Murray.

I was drawn into the book on the first chapter when the author reveals where they were September 11, 2001. We all know where we were at that time but to be where they were must have been excruciating.

My two favorite chapters were those outlining the South American trips. It almost compelled me to jump off the wheel and find a way to get there. What a great escape from my monotonous world!

As you read through this book you will figure out that sometimes the journey can be more interesting than the final destination.

I look forward to the next book.

This book give you insights to countries that you would never see on a "conventional" tourist trip. Bill and his wife have been to many of the unseen parts of nations from around the world and his perspective is far different that any travel guide. I highly recommend owning a copy. The pictures alone are well worth it!