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The Size of the World [Paperback]

Jeff Greenwald
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)


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Book Description

March 11, 1997
By the time that travel writer Jeff Greenwald hit his late thirties, he had covered more ground than Magellan, Marco Polo, and Columbus combined. But he also came to a sobering conclusion: airplanes had reduced his exotic explorations to a series of long commutes. So he set out to rediscover the mass, the gravity, and the size of the world. His mission: to circle the earth without leaving its surface.

What followed was a remarkable odyssey, as Greenwald scaled an active volcano in Guatemala, rode a rat-infested ferry across the Persian Gulf, dropped by Paul Bowles's flat unannounced, saved a baby snow leopard in Tibet, and spent his fortieth birthday marooned in the Sahara. And no matter where he found himself, he sent reports of his exploits from his ever-faithful laptop to the screens of thousands of eager Internet readers. A pilgrimage both hilarious and harrowing, insightful and wise, The Size of the World takes you on an adventure you will never forget.


Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Captivating reading ... A writer of great range, Greenwald is equally adept at describing the trials and thrills of travel as well as the tangles of human emotions.... He comes across as an intrepid adventurer, an honest and hilarious writer, a compassionate human being."
-- San Francisco Chronicle

"Ingenious and manic... An intrepid, articulate, and funny traveler--Phileas Fogg meets Woody Allen."
-- The Los Angeles Times

From the Inside Flap

By the time that travel writer Jeff Greenwald hit his late thirties, he had covered more ground than Magellan, Marco Polo, and Columbus combined. But he also came to a sobering conclusion: airplanes had reduced his exotic explorations to a series of long commutes. So he set out to rediscover the mass, the gravity, and the size of the world. His mission: to circle the earth without leaving its surface.

What followed was a remarkable odyssey, as Greenwald scaled an active volcano in Guatemala, rode a rat-infested ferry across the Persian Gulf, dropped by Paul Bowles's flat unannounced, saved a baby snow leopard in Tibet, and spent his fortieth birthday marooned in the Sahara. And no matter where he found himself, he sent reports of his exploits from his ever-faithful laptop to the screens of thousands of eager Internet readers. A pilgrimage both hilarious and harrowing, insightful and wise, The Size of the World takes you on an adventure you will never forget.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 421 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine Books Ed edition (March 11, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 034540551X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345405517
  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

This is perhaps one of the best travelogues ever written. Julian Cook  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
It enthralled me from cover to cover. A Customer  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable June 29, 1999
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I think it's interesting that the reviews of Size of the World presented here are either 5 stars or 2 stars, indicating that people respond very strongly to this book, in either a very positive or negative way. Personally, I loved it. It was great taking a journey with a travel writer who seemed so much more like a real person than the usual omniscient guides in more traditional books. Jeff Greenwald the author has flaws, true, but don't we all. He's not presenting himself to be an all-knowing master guide to the Universe. He acknowledges the discomfort and loneliness as well as the joy and wonder of his travel experiences and communicates them without that holier-than-thou attitude so many travel writers seem to wallow in.

As a result, I think people who respond to real, sincere, honest writing will love this book. If you're looking for someone cool and hip that will help make you feel cool and hip, go read someone else.

I think this book has probably touched many lives in a deep and spirtual way. It's also hilariously funny and as I stated in my one line review, thoroughly entertaining. Please don't let some of the negative reviews expressed here prevent you from checking this book out.

Patty S.

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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A great travelogue! November 9, 1999
Format:Paperback
This is perhaps one of the best travelogues ever written. Contrary to previous reviews, Mr. Greenwald's grasp of Buddhism is quite solid, not resembling a "flirtation" whatsoever. As a fellow buddhist and world traveler myself, I found his trip hilarious and awe inspiring. Travelogues too often times fail in their attempts at being effective personal essays, but Mr. Greenwald hits the nail squarely on the head with this one (as he does with most of his books). Read this and buy his other works too. You won't be disappointed.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Humorous Voyage Beyond Self-Importance July 17, 2000
Format:Paperback
He sets himself up for a karmic tumble and of course his fall from grace is hysterical. Fortunately there wasn't far to fall so he survives with some great stories to tell. I enjoyed this book so much I gave it to my husband and kids (of the adult variety)in turn. For a month, it seemed someone was always erupting in laughter somewhere in our house. Unlike Paul Theroux (whom I enjoy in spite of his crankiness), Jeff Greenwald's most humorous revelations are usually at his own expense. As generally happens, travel highlights the contrast between the romance of the idea with the reality of the voyage and visa versa. This isn't a trip I'd take myself, but I'm very glad Mr. Greenwald did!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Adventure
Jeff Greenwald sets himself the goal of circling the earth, Oakland to Oakland, via land and water, eschewing air travel. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Elizabeth B.
3.0 out of 5 stars Good but not a wow
Author has a fun writing style and enjoy the premise of the book, struggles and delights of travel, but he sometimes is a bit self-egrandizing.
Published 1 month ago by Kim Farrell
1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
Writer's attachment to unnecessary detail was frustrating. Kept saying as I read, "Get on with it, I don't care how many women find you desirable." Would not recommend this book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by jerry januszewski
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant imagery, hugely funny
I randomly picked this book up at the library and quickly realized that Greenwald is a very rare sort of writer - equally capable of creating beauty and comedy. Read more
Published 6 months ago by hornsda
5.0 out of 5 stars The Winning Travel Book
In a longish career of reading travel writing, this book still tops my list. By turns wise, hilarious, bizarre, and inspiring, it was the book I read just before I began to travel. Read more
Published on October 14, 2010 by Michael Fuchs
5.0 out of 5 stars Around the world with out a plane
The author decides to take a trip around the world without ever setting foot aboard an airplane. He takes a ship, hikes, hitchhikes, takes trains, ect... Read more
Published on January 28, 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book !!
There is a great quote from this book: "Strange travel suggestions are like dancing lessons from God. Read more
Published on July 15, 2003
3.0 out of 5 stars I thought this book was about going around the world....
I thought this book was about going around the world, and enjoj all the adventures of what was to come, but only offered a little of that... Read more
Published on January 18, 2000 by gorefleshh@yahoo.com
4.0 out of 5 stars wandering around with Greenwald is at least educational
a riveting tour ( only sometimes "de force"), careening around the world, learning about Greenwald, observing him, watching him watch himself and others in both slow... Read more
Published on June 23, 1999 by Jean F. Meyers
2.0 out of 5 stars Self pity as travelogue
How original and provocative. A self-absorbed, flaky baby boomer flirting with Eastern Religion on his RTW trip in an attempt to contextualize his life. Read more
Published on June 8, 1999
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