BOOK REVIEWS
Going The Wrong Way
Chris Donaldson
2020
ISBN 978-1-838012-76-2
An impressively inspiring book,
Going The Wrong Way documents
a ride from Ireland to Australia,
albeit the wrong way.
Chris Donaldson soon finds that
his planned route is thwarted by
political turmoil and ventures on a
path that takes him away from his
intended destination and more to a
journey of self-discovery and improvement.
With a dry wit, Chris heads down
through Africa on a bike that is far
from ‘appropriate’, it’s adventure
of the highest calibre and through
a comparison of experiences with
that in his home country Chris
discovers that many of the world’s
problems are the same no matter
where you are; a difference in religious
beliefs.
Going The Wrong Way through
Africa is enthralling, you won’t
want to put the book down while
Chris recounts his ride of 40 years
earlier. It’s adventure travel writing
of the highest standard; raw, unadulterated,
real in a time that was
hugely different to that of today.
Chris’ voyage home to Ireland is
just as captivating, offering a different
approach to adventure and here
it ends …
The second part of the ride is
through the Americas and we see
a great change in the author, he
almost becomes jaded, desperate,
lonely. It’s highlighted through
his observations of the people,
the politics, and the lawlessness.
The change is highlighted through
illness, perhaps an excuse for the
change in perception.
Going The Wrong Way is an outstanding
read and one that won’t
disappoint, proof that someone not
much younger than a kid is capable
of anything with the right determination.
The Long Way To Vladivostok
Shirley Hardy-Rix &
Brian Rix
2016
ISBN 978-0-646953-1
The Rix’s third book, The Long
Way To Vladivostok, is perhaps
their least adventurous ride which
comes across in the tale however,
that’s not to say it’s a book that
should be missed.
The Long Way To Vladivostok
tells of this couples ride to the far
eastern Russian city of Vladivostok
via Scandinavia aboard a BMW
R1200GS, it’s a big bike, fully loaded
and two up. Through the journey
we learn of the dynamics of riding
together in a foreign land, chance
encounters give us a glimpse into
the life of the Siberian people.
It’s an interesting point of view
however, unfortunately, The Long
Way To Vladivostok lacks some of
the unknown of the previous two
books. It feels a little too planned,
too ‘known’.
Well written, The Long Way To
Vladivostok, will keep you entertained
and wanting to learn more
about this region and how to ride
through it. The narrative isn’t
a how to guide however, there’s
plenty of information that will help
many a traveller.
If you want an in depth account
of Russia and Siberia this perhaps
isn’t for you, if you want an entertaining
ride across the Trans-Siberian
Highway then The Long Way
To Vladivostok is definitely a book
you should read.
TRAVERSE 140