- Paperback: 421 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books (Mar 11 1997)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 034540551X
- ISBN-13: 978-0345405517
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 13.7 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 408 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #667,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Book Description
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.
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.
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
-- San Francisco Chronicle
"Ingenious and manic... An intrepid, articulate, and funny traveler--Phileas Fogg meets Woody Allen."
-- The Los Angeles Times
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Around the world with out a plane,
This review is from: Size of the World (Paperback)
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... Greenwald shows the good, the bad and the dirty of long-term travel.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Humorous Voyage Beyond Self-Importance,
By
This review is from: Size of the World (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!
3.0 out of 5 stars
I thought this book was about going around the world....,
By gorefleshh@yahoo.com (Las Vegas NV) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Size of the World (Paperback)
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... Greenwald is a very good writer, but spends too much time in his self pity about his G/F's he left behind and the one in India with papaji.. He shouldnt have rushed his experience about "having to get to Mt. Kilowas" for the excursion, he was just trying to get his girlfriend back.. although this book has its moments, I recommend Danzingers Travels ...
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