Customer Reviews

The Gift of Travel: The Best of Travelers' Tales

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

 

 

I so enjoyed reading this book that I just bought six more in the series! In the introduction the editors write that for some travel is "a salve for weary body and soul." This phrase could aptly be applied to the book as well. It soothed the worries of my day and refreshed my perspective on the good things in my life. The stories evoke a sense of adventure, the pleasure of an unexpected kindness, the opening of new worlds, and the discovery of one's self along the way. There are one or two stories that I almost skipped, since they represented a lifestyle that seemed awkward to me - but that is often what travel entails, and the discomfort offers sparks of excitement to the journey. Most of the tales carried me to distant lands and warmly reminded me of past trips or stirred me to consider future ones.

So many of the stories in this book hit me in the heart, they made me want to get on a plane TOMORROW. Reminded me of the magic of travel, and why I want to be out there wandering the world again.

Success is an aspiration that all Americans desire. In work, relationships, and daily life we strive to accomplish our goals. Andy Andrews offers insightful and compelling advice in "The Traveler's Gift." He clearly establishes the seven decisions that determine personal success.

The main character David Ponder travels through time to meet important figures that teach him life's lessons. The author, Andrews, chose promising leaders to illustrate his point. Both common people and famous leaders that demonstrate success through the decisions they chose to make.

I was disappointed with the narrative. It was redundant and lacked originality. I became annoyed with positive encouragement that was sappy and unrealistic. The brief moments of unique and inspirational comments were overshadowed by clichés and fluff.

The highly acclaimed review elevated my expectations and left me dissatisfied when I finished. The positive message is admirable and the core advice is insightful, but the execution and plot limited its potential.

This book captures all the senses. The stories capture the reader in a way few books can. When you don't feel like you are the traveller in the story then you long to wish that you were. The stories are exciting, heart warming, funny, and amazing. This book opens the reader to the wonderful world of travel.

Read something better; read William Dalrymple's FROM THE HOLY MOUNTAIN, or the classic, THE BLUE NILE. These stories were amateur night at the bingo hall. There were a couple touching exceptions, one about a young woman, a cabbie, and the Taj Mahal in India--- but for the most part the stories in the book were dull, witless, and lacked excitement, adventure, and charm. They sounded like fantasies of Dilbert's travels, NO, not even that exciting. Some even sounded made-up, yes, contrived for the book. What scares me is that these were the collected "Best of" Travelers Tales....well, I might check out some of the others, but I don't think I'd buy them, just read them quick at the bookstore.