Crossing Borders [Paperback]

Michael Ferris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1602643733 | ISBN-13: 978-1602643734

Cultural misunderstandings, crazy and dangerous situations, inter-cultural friendships, love and disappointment and the excitement of exploring. "Crossing Borders" tells the story of living and becoming an adult in a foreign country away from friends and family. This narrative is not a simple travel log of pondering curiosities, it unites the weirdest, most interesting and funniest experiences from twelve years living abroad. The story starts out with the author's experiences of his first adventure in the heart of Europe-in German speaking Austria. Dreams of going to study at the Viennese Academy of Music go up in smoke when the protagonist fails the entrance exam. The protagonist not only ends up living in a mountain village in the Alps, but also discovers traits and virtues in his new Austrian friends that he never thought possible. From almost getting shot in Cairo, having his bride kidnapped on their wedding day, to getting blackmailed by a Moroccan snake charmer, each chapter takes the reader on an extraordinary cultural trip, a book for anyone who likes to travel, whether in their mind or reality.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602643733
• ISBN-13: 978-1602643734
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,502,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Ferris, originally from St. Joseph, Michigan, started working in his father's music store, Ferris Music Center, at the age of sixteen and started playing the classical guitar at the age of seventeen. Having had many wonderful teachers, not only with great talent but also great souls, he moved on to study at the internationally acclaimed Mozarteum University for Music and Applied Arts in Salzburg, Austria (*-Die Universitat fur Musik und darstellende Kunst Mozarteum) where he completed his M.A. in Guitar. Michael studied under well-known guitarists Maria Isabel Siewers de Pazur, Joaquin Clerch, Augustin Wiedemann, Ricardo Gallen, and the world-renowned player Eliot Fisk.

In doing so, he has not only learned the instrument, but lived out his dreams. Having the chance to gain an array of experience during his travels in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, he is now able to speak several languages fluently and works at an international company in Vienna. In addition to this, he still teaches guitar and holds courses in Business English at a local college on the weekends.

After having been published in Classical Guitar Magazine, May 2008, this was the incentive to take writing a step further.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Book, April 29, 2009

By 

Michelle George (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crossing Borders (Paperback)

Crossing Borders is a captivating book that was so hard to put down. Michael Ferris takes you on an amazing journey of his life experiences oversees. An inspirational story from his struggles and cultural mishaps to achieving his dreams. I would highly recommend this book.

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Travelogue, June 5, 2011

By 

Sandra Kirkland (High Point, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crossing Borders (Paperback)

Michael Ferris grew up wanting only one thing; to learn to play classical guitar. To fulfill his wish, his family let him leave for Europe when he was seventeen to take lessons from world-class guitarists. Crossing Borders is Ferris's story of his journeys and the people and cultures he came to know as a young man.

Ferris lived in Austria for several years, usually in a series of student hostels and shared apartments. He learned to eat new foods and to accept the mores of other cultures. One of his closest friends was an Egyptian man who was also a student. Ferris's parents had taken a trip to Egypt, and he was as fascinated with that land as they were.

His friend invited him to Egypt to visit for several weeks. His story of waking up to see the pyramids in the distance, and his encounters with aggressive street hawkers was quite interesting. He learned to speak Arabic quite well, but was shocked when this garnered him extra security entering the country.

Other places Ferris spent time included Morocco, where he and his bride spent their honeymoon and southern Italy where they lived for a time. In each location, he learned to appreciate the culture and rules of the people living there, and to enjoy their food and music.

This book is recommended for those who love to travel and for those who are armchair travelers. Ferris's appreciation for the various cultures he encounters are interesting and informative and the reader will close the book with a better understanding of those living in other lands.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Tale of Inner Growth, New Experiences, and Learning, February 11, 2011

By 

Genna Sarnak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crossing Borders (Paperback)

When I initially read the synopsis of Crossing Borders, I was instantly intrigued! As a student who studied aboard and travels a lot myself, I was drawn to the idea of an innocent boy going by himself to a foreign country and finding not only himself, but a whole new set of experiences that would shape him into a new man.

The writing style is simple, yet captivating, and I was able to read the entire narrative within a few hours. It was, simply put, hard to put down. I loved how Michael's own innocence echoed in his writing; I couldn't help but feel bad for the poor American boy getting himself into one crazy situation after another.

As someone who typically steers clear of memoirs, I would highly recommend this book. It would be a good fit for anyone who has a knack for traveling, both physically, and mentally, as in "traveling" outside of one's comfort zone.

As Michael beautifully discovers, it's through the exploration of other cultures, languages, and new experiences that one can finally and truly understand themselves and their place within the world.