Customer Reviews

Travelers' Tales: A Woman's World

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

After having read numerous outstanding books from the "Travelers' Tales" series, I had extremely high expectations of "A Woman's World." Fortunately, this book may perhaps be the best one in the seies. It begins with an essay written by a woman travelling through India, and every other essay after that takes place in an equally exotic locale. Throughout the book the reader encounters various women who are involved in pursuits such as mountain climbing, fighting off unwanted men, mid-life crisises, and spiritual awakenings. The stories are written not only by professinal journalists and novelists, but also by the "average" woman.

Without a doubt, there is no shortage of variety in this book. It is an eclectic collection of moving essays that will inspire any woman to pack up her bags and head off to the wild blue yonder.

I cannot begin to describe the kind of armchair travel this book put me through. I felt like I was traveling places not knowing where I would end up next. At the turn of a page where would I land? It was sensational. I plan to read many more travel books because of this one. Because I am only thirteen I also plan to see where on this wonderful globe my heart takes me. It's because of this book that I have such hopes and dreams.

Ride a horse through China. Trek in Nepal. Ride on the back of a motorcycle from California to Northeast Canada. These women are adventurous... yet are normal women with real fears. After reading this book you'll have the courage to be more independent and challenge-seeking. The stories range from the thrill-seekers (think African safari) to conservative travellers (such as going to Gatlinburg for a weekend with the girls)...but illustrates that stepping out of your comfort zone means different things to different women. It's the effort that counts.

This book is amazing. With a full-time job and a toddler, I need a book I can pick up and read a little at a time. I found myself thinking about this book all day and pouring through it each night. I love to travel, but haven't been able too as much as I'd like in recent years. This book not only makes me feel as though I've been on an adventure - several! - but it has inspired me to make mental notes of where I will be off to on my next trip. The great thing about the stories is the feeling that with a little motivation, any reader could be the next to take a trip and write a story. A great pick-me-up, there's-so-much-out-there-to-experience, carpe-diem, kick-in-the-patooty book! I highly recommend it.

I loved this book. I read the entire thing, cover to cover in two or three sittings, not just because it was entertaining, but also because it provides a rare insight into what it is really like OUT THERE (wherever that is) as a lone woman. I felt almost empowered, like I really could do it too! With practically every part of the world and every age woman represented in this book, I felt silly for thinking I couldn't travel alone. There isn't any sugar-coating or matronly advice...just enough experience to help make an informed decision or to calm the restlessness of a would-be traveler. Ms. Bond has put togehther an ideal balance of humor, truth, and insight to inspire me to get out the crumpled map and start thinking about going somewhere new. Alone.

In a hurry, I pulled this gem off the shelf and took it to work for lunch time adventures. Inside of a page I realized I'd read it a couple of years ago, but I never turned back. Bond collected no near misses; every story in this volume is outstanding. Its full of longing, rough and tumble, sensitive bonding, self-realization, hilarious mix-ups, reality checkpoints, stark terror and pain, transcendance, and pride of achievement--all crammed into a heavy volume you don't want to end. Read it. Read it again.

As soon as I began reading this book, I was mentally packing my bags, planning my own trip. It's impossible to read this book and NOT feel the desire to walk in the footsteps of the wonderful women. They show that even the most 'normal' of holidays can be great holidays, and I cannot say enough praise about the women who have spectacular holidays in far off, exotic places. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!

Oh....the places you'll go! Traveler's Tales took me to Bhutan, snuggled me into cave for winter camping, and bumped me along a particularly squirmy bus trek. Great human interest stories here....and all are a single chapter long (a real plus for us "read, put down, pick up" people). I liked this book so much I bought a copy for my sister...a true 5-star recommendation, because she'll hit me if she doesn't like it.

This book provides company in the absence of real people. As a woman who frequently travels and hikes, I found this to be a wonderful comfort as well as a teacher. Women are generally not encouraged to travel alone. This book goes about dispelling the fears of our families and teaches us the joy of solitude, travel, exercise and perspective. Recommended reading for women of all ages.

I just devoured these stories.. and the best part is that many of the stories are chapters from larger books by that particular author, so if your appetite is whetted, you can look for more by a fave (such as Robyn Davidson, Pam Houston, etc.). And then there are blurbs from yet other women travelers (such as Thalia Zapatos -- her book, "A Journey of One's Own" has several of her own travel essays).

I've ordered the "House on via Gambito" (another anthology of women's travel writings, edited by other than Ms. Bond). It has a lot to live up to, as I'll be comparing it to this book!