BOOK REVIEWS
The Moment Collectors Sam Manicom & Friends 2022 ISBN 978-0-9556573-9-9
Sam Manicom is the author of four tremendous motorcycle travel books yet this time he ’ s pulled together a bunch of friends and fellow travellers for The Moment Collectors .
Established authors and those new to the game have all shared their experiences whilst on the road whether near or far . The result is that The Moment
Collectors is a compelling tome that excites the reader , leading to a desire to hit the road and discover what is on offer , discover life .
The twenty stories within The Moment Collectors are diverse , varying from the local to the exotic , and yet a common theme runs throughout . The Moment
Collectors is a lesson in living and exploring life , to never prejudge and let your experiences determine the outcome to your next adventure .
Many of the twenty adventurers within The Moment Collectors contribute to Traverse , we thought we knew what we were in for , the great surprise , we had no idea . The Moment Collectors is an outstanding collection of works that has quite possibly set the standard for motorcycle travel books in 2022 and coupled with the more than seventy sketches to accompany the stories , it leaves you wanting more . Sam , did you read that ? We want more !
The Moment Collectors by Sam Manicom and friends , a book that must be read .
The Long Hitch Home Jamie Maslin 2015 ISBN 978-1-6208783-1-6
It ’ s an ambitious undertaking , to walk , hitch , or bum rides from Hobart in Tasmania to London , England . Almost 30,000 kilometres and that ’ s exactly what Jamie Maslin did in The Long Hitch Home .
The very concept of hitch-hiking meant Maslin was destined to meet interesting people with the stories to accompany it , and in The Long Hitch Home we are treated to some outstanding stories .
Maslin is an engaging storyteller and yet The Long Hitch Home at times feels that more than one person has written it . The stories of chance meetings , of culture , politics and religion are enough to keep the reader compelled however , The Long Hitch Home does come across as a little privileged especially when telling of what can only be described as undiagnosed kleptomania as Maslin explains of stealing towels and meals , of not paying camping fees , and more . Minor first world issues , but this often happens in developing nations where people are just trying to survive .
The Long Hitch Home also fails in areas where a real travel biography shouldn ’ t , Maslin often comes across as closed minded as he fails to understand why things are the way they are if he doesn ’ t agree with it . There ’ s lots of dialogue , yet little listening .
The Long Hitch Home is an interesting read of an epic journey but be open minded to the way of storytelling .
TRAVERSE 140