Long Way Down, The Illustrated Edition [Hardcover]

Ewan McGregor (Author), Charley Boorman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009

After their fantastic motorcycle trip around the world in 2004, bike fanatics and best friends Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman couldn’t shake the travel bug. The result was a 15,000-mile adventure throughout the entirety of the African continent on the backs of their trusty BMW motorcycles. Captured here in more than 100 exclusive images are the duo’s most memorable experiences, from managing some of the toughest terrain in the world to meeting a bevy of friendly people and encountering astounding natural beauty. With images taken by Ewan and Charley themselves as well as by internationally renowned photographer Julian Broad, this beautifully illustrated edition vividly documents a trip of a lifetime.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A great book BELLA

About the Author

Ewan McGregor is one of the most successful film actors of his generation. Charley Boorman has appeared in films such as Excalibur, The Emerald Forest and The Bunker.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847442498
• ISBN-13: 978-1847442499
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 8 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #605,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Better the Second Time Around--Down?, August 12, 2008

By 

Norma Beishir "author, Chasing the Wind & Fin... (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa (Hardcover)

By Norma Beishir
author, Chasing the Wind

I really enjoyed their first book, but this one's much, much better. I have to admit that I like memoirs and travel journals better when they're not ghostwritten. I like to hear the voice of the person whose story I'm reading. In other words, I like it to be genuine.

Ewan and Charley's enthusiasm for their travels comes through in every page. The ups and downs they experience are there, with no sugar-coating. The photographs are better this time around as well, and some of the captions are quite amusing. There's one humorous photo of the two that looks as if they're about to rob a liquor store. Another, in which the guys are down to their shorts, makes me think of a line from "Smokey and the Bandit": "The last time I saw a leg that looked like that, it had a message tied to it."

My only disappointment with this book is that I would have liked to see some input from Ewan's wife, Eve, on her leg of the trip. As a woman, I'd enjoy getting her perspective. After all, she held her own after only six months of riding, while these two men had been riding for years before attempting a long trip. I laughed at her response to his objections when she wanted to join them.

She really should have put together her own trip with a group of women. I know a lot of female bikers who would have been willing to join her for a good cause. Isn't kicking the guys' butts always a good cause? Oh, yeah, and it could have been good for UNICEF, too.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great journey., May 22, 2009

By 

Nathaniel J. Kuhn "Facetags Creator" (Chicagoland, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Long Way Down, The Illustrated Edition (Hardcover)

Due to scheduling complications with the ferry for the first 1/3rd of the trip, Long Way Down (LWD) had a rushed and more stressful feel to it in comparison to Long Way Round. This led to a slightly less enjoyable experience for the reader/viewer in my opinion.

Nevertheless, this voyage is still Ewan and Charley at their best. These guys enjoy motorcycling and traveling on them so much that they make the best out of any situation.

The way they document the trip is so honest, and really opens you up to their personalities - something you rarely get to see with famous people. It's so honest and humble, yet funny and appropriately opinionated at the same time. The quality of the book - the editing, the photos and the writing are superb in their natural style.

The fact that they take time to do charity work as well as show the world things that most choose to ignore is wonderful. Plus, like the LWR trip - it's an incredible way to show the beauty of our world and politeness of so many of the people in it.

The books and movies are true magic on film - whether or not you like motorcycles or not (i am obsessed), it is nearly impossible to not fall in love with these two guys and their journey of a lifetime.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A travel story, September 7, 2008

By 

R. Sullivan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa (Hardcover)

A travel story. Short on drama and suspense but a lot of description of lands and peoples. Little talk about motorcycles even though they had some difficulties that could have added some interest. I enjoyed it for what it is.