Customer Reviews

Who Needs a Road?: The Story of the Longest and Last Motor Journey Around the World

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read this one shortly after it was published. I was quite impressed with it at the time. Recently, going through my back room books shelf, I "rediscovered" my old copy. I check it out here on Amazon and found it was back in print. That is a good thing for all of us! Anyway, I just gave it a reread and found it to be just as good as the first read back in the 1960s. Actually this is quite a remarkable travel book for several reasons. First, and most important, the author's actually interact with not only their physical environment as they travel, but also with the people they meet. This is not one of those "a hippy takes a walk" books, it is the real thing. These guys are real people and the individuals they meet on their journey are real also. Secondly, It is absolutely fascinating, for me at least, to see just how little our world has actually changes over the past forty or so years. Other than a bit of technology here and there, it is just about the same. People are still shooting people in the same parts of the world. People are still hating people and overall ideas about "the other guy" have not changed much at all. The authors have great insight to this and express it well. Thirdly, the authors have an ability to make you feel apart of their total experience. You actually feel you are with them much of the way. They writing style is quite good, readable and enjoyable. The observations are quite acute and as timely today as they were at the time the book was written. Having traveled myself in quite a few of the areas this journey took place, I can attest to the fact that their description of the areas they traveled through are quite accurate as well as their descriptions of the people and the food. Overall, this is one of the better travel type books I have read and do recommend it highly. If you like this sort of read, this is a good bet.

Instantly claims a spot near the top of my list of most incredible TRUE stories ever written.

I loved this book, it's one of my absolute favourite travel books and I've recommended it to so many people. The writing is entertaining and keeps you hooked and the relationships between the participants makes for a great read.

I read who needs a road? several times back in Junior High School and never got tired of it. When I recently unearthed my old copy, I got back into the adventure right away. I am very glad this classic is back in print.

I'm so excited that this book is back in print! My husband and I read it in the early 70's and I can't actually remember if we bought our Toyota Land Cruiser before or after we read it! In those days the Land Cruiser was an economical car to buy, but I understand they cost the earth today! I have not re-read the book since then, but it is intersting to me that I still remember several of the scenes, mostly harrowing ones, to this day. The one that really stands out is one where they get up at night in the desert somewhere and have their bodies sliced by some kind of flying noctural crab spider or something. Yikes! Now remember I read this 30 years ago and I STILL remember parts! Didn't they have to carry tons of toilet paper to promote Scott Paper or some such? Anyway, I think all the horrible parts were nicely balanced by the funny bits. I am ordering a copy tonight to give to my husband for our 35th wedding anniversary this year. Oh and our Toyota? Sadly we sold it years ago, but it did take us all over including being our transportation for our four year stay in Alaska during the pipeline days....the stories that Toyota could probably tell by now.

Anyone who has ever traveled anywhere by car (and who hasn't) will absolutely love the adventures and misadventures of Stephens, Podell and crew on this over-the-road around the world trip in a 60's era Toyota Land Cruiser. It's amazing they came back alive!

Every bit as entertaining as the best of Cahill and Bryson but less long-winded, the adventure is related in a page-turning series of concisely written and entertaining passages that will have you howling with laughter and empathizing in pain.

You will love this book!

I bought this book for my husband, who owns two FJ40s and an FJ60. He has really enjoyed it-- the story is interesting from a vehicular standpoint but is also apparently fascinating in its own right.

You would think Steve (Harold) and Al were just obsessed
with accomplishing an almost impossible feat, but despite
their single-mindedness about their dream and goal, they
took the time to absorb the lessons learned from many
diverse cultures and bureaucratic systems and came away
much richer for that effort.

For short periods in my life I have experienced similar
adventures, but I stand in awe of their ability to keep on
moving, while befriending the honest and skillfully dealing
with those not so honest. They knew they were horiji
(afghanistan), faranj (ethiopia), gaijin (japan) and
farang (thailand), but in the end, people are people and
they made all of them fascinating.

I really enjoyed this book. I bought the book because I'm interested in old FJ40's, but this book was a great adventure book - a tale that no words could possibly describe. However, it was a fun read, as you felt like you may have been in the backseat while the other drove you around the world.

As both an adventure traveler and a vehicle enthusist this book was a relief to read. Mr. Stephens and Podell relate an experience that I would love to duplicate, an around the world adventure ripe with hi-jinx and romance. In a the current world of SUV commercials preaching get out and drive for fun, these guys show how much you can have without your heated seats and cell phone. I love the idea of packing all your junk in a rustic old truck and heading around the world. Of course it would be great to get all the sponsors that they had, but it would be a little bit harder to be as out of reach today especially if you had to report to the man. This book is fun and exciting and reason enough to quit you job, sell your $35,000 exploder, er Explorer, buy a real truck and use the left over money to start driving. Don't worry you'll figure out how to eat, get gas, get out of trouble and make it home. If you want to come home.