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Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa
 
 
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Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa [Paperback]

Ewan McGregor (Author), Charley Boorman (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

List Price: $17.00
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Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa + Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World + Race to Dakar
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Editorial Reviews

Review

'A great book' BELLA --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Eighteen countries. Five shock absorbers.
Two bikers. One amazing adventure...

After their fantastic trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman couldn't shake the travel bug. Inspired by their UNICEF visits to Africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth.

And so they set off on their 15,000-mile journey with two new BMWs loaded up for the trip. Their route took them from John O'Groats at the northernmost tip of Scotland to Cape Agulhas on the southernmost tip of South Africa.

Along the way they rode some of the toughest terrain in the world -- and met some of the friendliest people. They rode their bikes right up to the pyramids in Egypt and visited Luke Skywalker's house in Tunisia. They met people who had triumphed over terrifying experiences -- former childhood soldiers in Uganda and children living amidst the minefields of Ethiopia. They had a close encounter with a family of gorillas in Rwanda and were nearly trampled by a herd of elephants in Botswana.

Riding through spectacular scenery, often in extreme temperatures, Ewan and Charley faced their hardest challenges yet. With their trademark humor and honesty they tell their story -- the drama, the dangers and sheer exhilaration of riding together again, through a continent filled with magic and wonder.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Atria; Reprint edition (June 9, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1416577467
  • ISBN-13: 978-1416577461
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #51,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
    #17 in  Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles
    #5 in  Books > Travel > Europe > Great Britain > Scotland
    #1 in  Books > Travel > Africa > South Africa

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa
58% buy the item featured on this page:
Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa 4.2 out of 5 stars (19)
$11.56
Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World
8% buy
Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World 3.8 out of 5 stars (68)
$10.88

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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:
 (6)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
7 of 7 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

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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great journey., May 22, 2009
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A travel story, September 7, 2008
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Ewan McGregor
This was a gift, but I was told by him that he absolutely loved it.
Published 3 months ago by Jan N.

5.0 out of 5 stars A great adventure
This book was just as good as the DVD, but it was fun imagining it.
Published 3 months ago by Coni McGloyd

5.0 out of 5 stars Once Again
This book is capturing, I'm only half way through it, and I haven't had as much time to read as I would like, but when I do read it I lose track of time. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jared E. Krauss

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, fun read.
I read the book during my own motorcycle trip down to Guatemala. I read their first book, Long Way Round, a couple years ago and it inspired me to make my trip. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Peter Latteier

4.0 out of 5 stars Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa
What an excellent read, found it hard to put down, so I ended up reading the entire book in 4 days. You don't have to enjoy riding motorcycles to enjoy the book, but it sure... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Wayne Bentley

4.0 out of 5 stars Adventure
I am a fan of Ewan and Charlie. Their trip around the world in Long Way Down inspired me to replace a Harley with a BMW. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Glenn Wakefield

3.0 out of 5 stars Not long enough
Story too rushed, deadlines forcing abbreviated adventure. Too bad they didn't take their time and tell the full story. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Jo Ann Simpson

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read
I watched the videos of this and "Long Way Round" and read both books. I thought "Long Way Round" was better, but this was still well worth reading. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Ex Republican

5.0 out of 5 stars Great adventure story
Loved this journey by motorcycle. DVD was wonderful. You wouldn't believe the hardships involved in this trip
Published 19 months ago by David Montgomery

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Way Down
Great book and an easy read. Love the story. Both McGregor and Boorman write in a log entry style and this gives the book a real life feel. I am looking to see the DVD. Read more
Published 20 months ago by J. Rogers

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