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BOOK REVIEWS
Travels With A Donkey In The Cévennes Robert Louis Stevenson 1879 ISBN 978-1-8435009-6-4
Better known for his works of fiction , Robert Louis Stevenson has a catalogue of non-fiction writings to rival most , and yet his least celebrated works are perhaps his best , for Stevenson is a writer that most likely started the more recent phenomenon of travel writing .
Wanting to escape the grip of his parents , Stevenson started his travel writing when he ventured to south central France , more notably the Cévennes mountains in 1879 , and thus was penned Travels With A Donkey In The Cévennes .
Although not a recent activity it is likely that Stevenson is the first to document a hiking holiday as a recreational activity and is possibly credited with creating the sleeping bag , although it was so large that it required a donkey to carry it .
Through his 12-day , 200-kilometre hike , Stevenson encounters situations that are reflective of the modern traveller , especially a solo motorcyclist . In doing so he coined a phrase that many of us can adhere to , “ I travel not to go anywhere , but to go . I travel for travels sake ”. Stevenson was saying he travels to feel the Earth beneath his feet , to be thrust into the uncomfortable , to escape the trappings of his comfortable existence . That ’ s travel .
Far removed from the modernity of travelling on two wheels , Stevenson ’ s Travels With A Donkey In The Cévennes is as relevant to today as any contemporary writings . His encounters , observations , and personal thoughts keep the reader engaged and wanting much more .
Like the two-wheeled traveller , Stevenson ’ s wanderings are dictated to by the pace of his companion , Modestine , a stubborn and often cantankerous donkey . Despite being 150 years old ,
Travels With A Donkey In The
Cévennes is a must for any traveller or aspiring writer .
Sapiens : A Brief History Of Humankind Yuval Noah Harari 2011 ISBN 978-0-0995900-8-8
Neither a travel nor motorcycle book , Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is something that all travellers should consider reading .
Sapiens provides an insight into the history of homo sapeins and how we have reached the point in which we see ourselves , providing insight into the many varied cultures still in existence and what the future might hold for them and us .
It ’ s a heavy read yet one that is hard to put down . Sapiens explores turning points in our development , those that saw drastic change , as well as the more subtle that slip in and alter our thinking . Questions like , are we in the West , with our perceived affluence , really happier than the tribal people of the Amazon or Africa ? Where the world ’ s oldest living culture , the Australian Aboriginals , onto something by not necessarily changing their being for almost 60,000 years ? And what is the destiny of the human species ?
Heavy ! Yes ! But it does fit in with what is often witnessed when travelling the world , and the questions we ask of ourselves .
Sapiens is well worth a read .
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