Into India, Out of Africa [Paperback]

Alistair Caldicott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 2004

From the word go, the style and tenor of this book is set. And it doesn't take long before we realise we are in for a raunchy, realistic, roughish ride; so seat yourself comfortably. Be transported from the relentlessly chaotic assault on the senses that is India to the cool Himalayan magnificence of trekking to Everest Base Camp. Through the vastness of Australia, unable to escape the predictably painful experiences of England's cricket team, before plunging into the outdoor activity challenges of New Zealand. Then, perhaps most compelling of all, the continent of Africa from the bottom up. An ambitious journey overland encompassing Africa's most extreme tip right up to its snow-covered top, Mt Kilimanjaro. Here it is not so much the final destination as all that is entailed to get there that informs and entertains. With a refreshing attitude, this book doesn't try to be the great African travel book drowning you with its intensity; Bruce Chatwin it is not. But it is a breath of fairly fresh air (excluding a lot of dust and some graphically described indigenous odours). The tone is conversational and intimate; the author takes the reader along with him on his (slightly) bumpy travels, and there is a splendid lack of any sort of political correctness, although Alistair is actually broad-minded and unprejudiced (minus a few Australians). He understands the people he meets. Without wanting to be remotely serious-because he isn't-this is a book that is kind and understanding of different places and people. The author observes, records, and attempts to shed light on people, places and experiences that are not of the everyday variety. The traveller-both experienced and of the armchair variety-could have many a worse companion than this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: PublishAmerica (December 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413741088
• ISBN-13: 978-1413741087
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,170,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Into India, Out of Africa - exciting new travel writing, February 21, 2005

By 

Jonny Harvey (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into India, Out of Africa (Paperback)

If you cannot resist the lure of exotic daydreaming and faraway escapism then this book is for you. But this is far removed from the superficial world of 5 star hotels and fly-by-night, safe and sanitised tourism.

An incredibly captivating and absorbing journey told with gripping roller coaster momentum, which barely lapses. Compelling reading if the word `travel' stirs aspirations of excitement and adventure in you. Many twists and turns vividly described. Highs and lows, pleasures and pain all graphically laid down with endearing honesty.

Insightfully observant, hilariously dry humoured and refreshingly descriptive, his style seems like Bill Bryson meets Michael Palin, but much more adventurous and daring. The author somehow always finds challenges in front of him, be they from the natural world or in the form of other human beings, but he rises to them admirably. How he keeps his marvellous sense of humour in tact at times I do not know. Yet as well as being entertained by some of the testing situations he finds himself in, you are simultaneously likely to learn something as well. An enjoyable read.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Into India, Out of Africa travel book, February 21, 2005

By 

kelly79 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into India, Out of Africa (Paperback)

This really is quite an adventure - more entertaining travel in one trip than most would be lucky to achieve in a lifetime. An astonishing array of diverse experiences in the sorts of places we all dream about going to; several major tests of character and a wonderfully self-depreciating sense of humour and cutting powers of observation which endear him to the reader. More boldly daring than some other high profile travel writers and grittily realistic

He has a useful knack of sizeing up both people and situations, being cuttingly savage of those who irritate and annoy, yet not shy to lavish praise for those who merit it.

There is ample scope for things to go wrong and exposure to danger, which is all part of the fun. In fact most of the fun (for the reader) derives from the things which go wrong.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Into India Out of Africa review, February 22, 2005

By 

Phil Parker (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into India, Out of Africa (Paperback)

With a refreshingly crisp turn of phrase, admirable candour and disarming self-depreciation, this book is absorbing. There is little time for slushy banalities or bland, weary cliches, but there is plenty of time for the unleashing of an excellent sense of humour, which cares little for offending people who deserve to be offended, while warming to those who are genuinely hospitable. No patronising smugness or condescension in the narration - just honest, insightful observation from someone who somehow tends to do things the hard way.

And the author has plenty of unusually entertaining experiences along the way - the incident of him getting whacked by a tree branch on the top of a bus in Nepal had me in stitches. Just when you think his last close shave will not be surpassed, another one comes along, but he takes it all in his stride. There's been a lot of travel books on the market in recent years, but the style of this book carves its own niche and I look forward to his next one.

I can also recommend his website, which is worth checking out -some fabulous photos from all over the world - www.alitravelstheworld.com