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Ted Simon

Jupiters Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph Paperback – March 22, 2005

by Ted Simon (Author)

1,346 ratings

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Simon rode a motorcycle around the world in the seventies, when such a thing was unheard of. In four years he covered 78,000 miles through 45 countries, living with peasants and presidents, in prisons and palaces, through wars and revolutions. What distinguishes this book is that Simon was already an accomplished writer. In 25 years this book has changed many lives, and inspired many to travel, including Ewan McGregor.

Print length

456 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Jupitalia Productions
Publication date

March 22, 2005
Dimensions

5.63 x 0.9 x 8.61 inches
ISBN-10

0965478521
ISBN-13

978-0965478526
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A compelling narrative that moves, sometimes at breakneck speed, over some of the world's most beautiful and mysterious terrain ? packed with fascinating detail, splendid characterizations, and hair-raising adventures. (The Boston Globe)

Vivid description of driving under conditions that were often ferocious. (NY Times)

Extremely readable, full of keen observation, perceptive insight ? conveying action, drama, tension and danger. (Los Angeles Times)

The best motorcycle travel book ever written. (Motorcycle Sport)

By all means TAKE THE PLUNGE. (Rider Magazine)

About the Author

Born 1931 and raised in London he emerged from World War II with a desperate urge to travel. Was a newspaper and magazine editor, and foreign correspondent, personally restored a 13th century French ruin, pioneered organic agriculture in California, and wrote an authoritative book on water politics. Has just repeated the "Jupiter" journey aged 72. He resides in Round Valley, CA.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jupitalia Productions; Revised ed. edition (March 22, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 456 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0965478521
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0965478526
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.63 x 0.9 x 8.61 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #135,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #72 in Motor Sports (Books)
- #202 in Travel Writing Reference
- #382 in Travelogues & Travel Essays

Customer Reviews:
1,346 ratings

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Ted Simon
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I was born in 1931 and have a familiarity with events long before that so my personal world extends over more than a century of astonishing change. Although I am best known as an author of non-fiction travel/adventure my academic educations was principally scientific, before I fell somewhat by accident into journalism. In the RAF I created a magazine for recruits, called "Scramble" which got me into Fleet Street and the Daily Express in 1956. I worked in the Street for ten years, becoming Features Editor of the Sketch, as well as co-founding and editing a magazine called "King"
In 1967, feeling uncomfortable with newspapers as they were then I moved to a ruin in France, took up stone masonry and wine, and wrote a book about Formula One. I also worked occasionally as guest editor on the Observer magazine until I began my first motorcycle journey around the world in association with the Sunday Times.
Seven years later, following the success of Jupiter's Travels, I moved to a farm in Northern California with a wife and a son, and helped to pioneer a new wave in Organic Agriculture. Since then I have built three houses and written five more books of various kinds.
In 2001 to 2003 I rode around the world once more
I am now back in France and still ride a motorcycle
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Ted Simon
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

1,346 global ratings

5 star		80%
4 star		13%
3 star		3%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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J. Blilie

A True Classic of Travel Writing - Make Sure You Read This Book

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 1, 2010

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I don't care if you get it out of the library, borrow it, or whatever, you should read this book. This book should be on everyone's "bucket list."

I just finished rereading it for the nth time and I was just as moved, amazed, and thrilled by the journey (and the good writing) as the first time I read it. I know how the story ends; but I just want to keep on reading and reading and reading.

I rode a bicycle around the world for over two years. Ted Simon captures the feelings of long-distance, long-time traveling like no one else I've ever read (although there are some other great books out there, see below). The thrill of departure, the shock of the new, the wariness of the unsupported traveler in a strange place, the difficulties of language and even alphabet, the fear, the exhaustion, the new-place fatigue, the need to just lie down sometimes, the misery of illness (though he was very lucky there), the numinous joy of the great places and views of the world (sometimes even the most ordinary places), the pleasure in seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting new things, the joy of finding your fellow humans all around the world to be very much like you and enjoyable to meet and know, the incredible education that travel gives you, the powerfully ambivalent feelings of the end of the journey and the return to home-place, never again able to see the world as you once had. The difficult re-birth into the old routines and requirements of your life. His story, especially his description of the end of the journey gives me goosebumps and re-awakens powerful memories of my own journey. As the cliche goes (it's a cliche because it's true) you can never step into the same river twice. The closest you can come is to take someone else to the river and watch them swim.

This book has lost nothing and it never will. It touches the universals of human experience found in travel. We evolved as wandering apes on the plain. It's basic to our bodily fiber.

Very little navel gazing in this book and what little there is is actually worth reading, unlike nearly all travel books I read that were written since Jupiter's Travels.

A true classic. And not the kind you feel obligated to read; but the kind you can't put down. One of the truest books I've ever read. Enjoy.

Some other excellent books about long-distance travel that I highly recommend:

Seven Years in Tibet
Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle
One Man Caravan ("Incredible Journeys" Books)
News from Tartary
Canoeing with the Cree
Sailing Alone Around the World
Two Years Before the Mast (Signet Classics)
Arabian Sands (Penguin Classics)
The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons (Penguin Classics)

12 people found this helpful

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Timothy Alan Haslam

I couldn’t put it down…

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 20, 2021

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Ted is an excellent writer, his eloquence really passes on what he was seeing and feeling during this adventure. It’s important to understand that Ted is Jupiter, not the bike. This is not a nerdy bikers book. The bike is used how a bike is supposed to be used and not polished and tinkered with on a daily basis to be stored in a garage and admired - it is used to propel Ted around the world in the purest of forms and gives him the opportunity to develop his skills as a traveler. He then applies his formidable writing skills to take you with him. It is also wonderful to see an intelligent perspective of the world in 1970’s - and now, with the benefit of hindsight, to compare what he perceived was going to happen with what actually happened.
It does make me want to ride more often, it does make me want to travel also, but most of all - it makes me want to read.

One person found this helpful

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akkurt

Well...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 23, 2011

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This book was a bucket list item for me (reading the book not doing the trip) I must say I am a bit disappointed. The book starts strong with an eloquent and stimulating writing style, i couldn't help myself quoting his lines, but, after 20000 miles or so, it falls apart, like an old Triumph. I'm not going to give specifics, but toward the end I felt like I was reading a tame but equally fragmented version of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I must say however, that making a similar journey is now on my list, if only to give a different perspective.

The information is good enough, but of-course dated. If your looking for a "how too" on adventure riding, skip this one and buy something more modern and level headed. If you are looking for a travel log of the road to insanity, maybe you should pick this one up.

Please don't get me wrong, it is a good book, and I see why he is considered the Father of adventure riding, however it seems that he lost the trail somewhere after California, and rode a flat tire (or maybe a broken heart?) the rest of the way.

Riding the world with a sense of humility, and awe is honorable, Riding the world with a sense of guilt and shame and letting it drive you mad, is delusional.

Just my .02, You may love it and you won't know until you ride it through to the end.

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G. M. Matthews

Great book that will open your mind to what the world has to offer ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 1, 2007

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I'm about 25% through it. I'm thoroughly enjoying the book. I ride a BMW GS myself in backcountry and less-traveled roads, although I've not and may never do anything close to what the author did. This book a great story and provides wonderful insight into a fantastic journey. It's not just a recount of a journey. It's also about what he thought, what he enjoyed, what he feared, what he learned. The photos aren't great, as just black and white and not great quality. But they still add a lot to the story, showing you important events along the way. Just to say it's not a coffee table photo book about the journey.

The book I think will also open your eyes to just how much there is to learn by getting out into the world and seeing and experiencing how others live, and how that might affect you personally.

The information in the book is dated in as far as the world has changed since his journey. But if you're considering any similar journey, I think this book is a definite read for you as it gives insight into just how many surprises you will probably face. What you will face today is different, but the character of his journey is still I think entirely relevant.

If you enjoy this, you will also enjoy the Long Way Round DVDs highlighting the trip that Ewan McGregor took (get the long version if you can find it). Both are not to be missed.

This is a great book to read sitting by the fire on a cold winter night when you can't ride and want to get away in your mind to some fantastic and far-away places.

7 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

David

excellent read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 1, 2020

Verified Purchase

As good as it gets this one. A must for any biker who's not afraid of the unknown most especially solo travellers.
Always felt those who travel two up were cheating! lol Yeah this is really good especially sonsidering the 70's, really looking forward to reading the follow up which I believe he did in his 70's. \Im an avid reader and biker and this one well its special, for so long it was recommended to me but only recently did I read it.
His thoughts as he motors along are quite familiar to the solo biker, from poverty to "whats that fukn smell". A must read simple as that. A life worth living.

One person found this helpful

Parp

Pretentious and boring

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 12, 2021

Verified Purchase

I gave up pretty quickly with this. I only bought it as it was referred to in Lois Pryce's books (which are brilliant - if you want to read about motorcycle travel get them instead), but it's nothing like them. The author is so pretentious and negative that I soon got bored reading about him. I couldn't understand why he undertook the journey as travelling by motorcycle didn't seem to suit him at all. Waste of money - spend your hard earned cash on Lois' books instead!

Sarugumo

Jupiter's Travels

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 25, 2009

Verified Purchase

`Jupiter's Travels' follows Ted Simon as he travels around the world on a Triumph motorcycle and it makes for fascinating reading. His writing style is completely engaging and he comes out with some wonderful descriptions that add real colour and depth to the various stories he recounts. The route he takes is epic in scope and takes in Africa, south and north America, Australia, Malaysia, India and a few extras for good measure. He is refreshingly candid about his experiences and by the time you are half way through the book it is no exaggeration to say that you feel as if you are living the various events along with him. The relationships he forges as he travels around are as fascinating and insightful as the places he travels through and add an element to this book often lacking from other travel books. This is the book that inspired `The Long Way Round' with Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor, but it has to be said that this seems much richer in detail and the fact that he did this alone without the support team or camara crew makes it all the more impressive. Although there is a photo plate section in the middle, most of the images are blurry and not especially relevant overall, but the language is so descriptive that the photos are really a bonus anyway. If you like travel/adventure type books then this comes highly recommended and if you were inspired by the Long way Round, prepare to be blown away by this superior account of one mans awe inspiring and impressive journey.

Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.

4 people found this helpful

Motty

A very original journey

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 19, 2012

Verified Purchase

A must read for anyone who has a taste for real adventure be it attempting a similar trip or merely dreaming from the armchair. Teds style is deep and analytical without being pushy with his opinions. He reveals the facts as he sees them and leaves it to the reader to make their own judgements regarding the often difficult situations, but also the uplifting fact that the world contains mostly decent people.
Ted Simon is clearly a unique individual, taking life as he finds it. He navigates with his heart and writes clearly of it.
His work is well researched and interesting. He reveals only limited detail of his life outside the adventure which keeps the reader wanting more of him. A truly legendary work.On a similar origional adventure theme I would recommend the following.. Alone on the Blue NileDreaming Of Jupiter

2 people found this helpful

Robin Pritchard

Extraordinary

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 31, 2020

Verified Purchase

The travel book that started it all. Ted was a writer before the journey, and it shows. Beautifully written and deeply evocative, the book is a witness to a world gone by.
I should have read it years ago, but I'm glad I only found it now. It seems all the more poignant for the displacement in time.

One person found this helpful

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