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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Unbearably good. Although, I put it down twice in trying to get through the first chapter... leaving gaps of several months before I could get too engrossed. I found myself reading parts here and there and sitting to digest it as though it were a meal. I've also used this book as an attitude...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I'm normally a fan of his work, but as an avid traveler I found this one uninspired and many of his observations obvious and uninteresting.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“In his book, he has divided the discussion of The Art of Travel into five parts: Departure, Motives, Landscape, Art and Return. A review is not supposed to reveal the plot nor the core of the story, but I needed write how I understood each part of traveling. Some spoiler from hereon I reckon, so be warned (I assure you though, my ability to explain is far more inferior than that of Alain’s).
tageswanderer wrote this review 2 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Departure has something to do primarily with Anticipation. Many times in our travels, the “looking forward to” part is exhilarating in itself. Waiting for the bus, train, or plane consist of waiting as we all know, and thinking about the good things as we expect a wondrous vacation sometimes doesn’t happen and fall short of our expectations.
The author offers the nature of humans to expect. We forget that especially if we have invested too much (say paid handsomely) for a travel and believing that it will never go wrong. I agree with Alain though, that in our travels, we have moments of soliloquy, of this tranquil moment alone. I believe that is the potent ingredient in my own travels, a date with solitude.
Motives are one’s reason for traveling, it answers the question: Why travel? You have your reasons, and the author offered many that perhaps you have had in the past. The mundane is never simple when you are in another place because the details are not the same, may it be a poster, sign board, how people talk, and how strangers look at you.
Landscape and Art are the somewhat new to me, here the author will educate you of the importance of seeing the beauty in your surrounding and knowing a bit of history so that you may add context in your experience. Traveling inspires, only if you have eyes that will acknowledge.
Returning is quite familiar, the feeling of leaving an old or new friend behind. That traveling can be very relative, it can even happen in your own bedroom! How that is possible is explained by De Botton by citing historical facts based on previous lovers of travel.
You will be educated, inspired, and humbled by reading this book. In the process, you will know that traveling is not just mere action required by our need to experience new things and seeking change as a human being, it is also about the art of traveling, thus the title my friend.”“I'm normally a fan of his work, but as an avid traveler I found this one uninspired and many of his observations obvious and uninteresting.”
Marina Martin wrote this review Wednesday, October 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Brilliant. It goes straight to the core of what we feel when we think about our travellings. The connexions between images, writing, feelings, thinking and philosophy is accurate, interesting, original, stimulating, true 'a-ha' moments!”
Leila M wrote this review Sunday, September 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Should be required reading for anyone about to undertake travel, whether it's to the next state or a different continent. ”
Carrie G wrote this review Thursday, July 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“His descriptions of his travel experiences deepen your appreciation of the benefits of travel.”
Martisa R wrote this review Wednesday, May 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I do love this book. It is one of the travel book classics, telling something of the philopsophy of travel beyond just the sights and adventures of the travelers. Any traveler or travel reader will enjoy it.
GG Husak wrote this review Thursday, April 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
GG Husak
Passeggiata: Strolling Through Italy
www.passeggiataitalia.com ”
“An unusual book about why we bother to travel when we experience so many problems when we travel to distant shores. Very enjoyable, thought provoking book with illustrations throughout. Highly recommend.”
William T wrote this review Thursday, April 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“What a treat, this book is. Takes you on a journey, teaching you to open your mind as you travel, whether it is around a room in your house, around your house, around your neighborhood, around your city, around the world. Relating travel in this way changes perspectives, opens the mind. Lovely experience. Not a quick read, rather a slow, deliberate one.”
Shirley F wrote this review Wednesday, January 7 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This presented to me a new way of understanding not only why we desire to travel, but the reasons that so many who do travel are disappointed. Beautifully written.”
Sandra_Labadie L wrote this review Saturday, June 28 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A bit too long since I read this for a detailed review, but suffice to say I remember this being beautifully written, straight forward philosophy. Nothing fancy, but nicely eclectic sources, and makes you feel a bit cleverer having read it, as it beautifully distills all those sources to make you feel as if you've read and understood ten books...”
kasper wrote this review Tuesday, March 11 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
