Product Description

It started as a daydream. Poring over a map of the world at home one quiet Saturday afternoon, Ewan McGregor - actor and self-confessed bike nut - noticed that it was possible to ride all the way round the world, with just one short hop across the Bering Strait from Russia to Alaska. So he picked up the phone and called Charley Boorman, his best friend, fellow actor and bike enthusiast. 'Charley,' he said. 'I think you ought to come over for dinner.' Riding 20,000 miles across increasingly tough terrain, Ewan and Charley chased their shadows through Europe, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, across the Pacific to Alaska, then down through Canada and America. As they travelled they documented their trip, taking photographs, and writing diaries by the campfire. Long Way Round is the result of their adventures - a fascinating, frank and highly entertaining travel book about two friends riding round the world together and, against all the odds, realising their dream.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33991 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-06
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
* 'Both McGregor and Boorman prove themselves to be engaging, articulate and entertaining narrators ... a highly readable and spiritually uplifting book about a dream come true' Wanderlust * 'Touching and memorable ... one for armchair travellers and bike freaks' Daily Mail

About the Author
Ewan McGregor first came to notice in Shallow Grave. Since then he has appeared in more than thirty films including Star Wars Episodes I and II and Trainspotting. Charley Boorman has appeared in films such as Excalibur, The Emerald Forest and, more recently, The Bunker.

Customer Reviews

Awesome !
What an awesome book, recording an awesome experience. As a biker myself, I was attracted to the book just to read about a trip that is beyond my means and abilities, but the book ended up meaning much more than that to me. It showed me, yet again, that wherever you go in the world (And I've travelled a fair bit of it myself in my work as a seafarer !) people everywhere are just people like you and I, when you get past the religious, political and economic differences that can so often divide us. It also highlights the fact that people who make a living in the film industry are not necessarily unapproachable, self centred and addicted to adulation. They can be warm, human and prone to the same joys, fears and desires as the rest of us. In short, they are human beings who just happen to have a good job. This is not just a good read about a motor bike trip of a lifetime, it is a book that rekindles hope that the world, and its varied people, is a beautiful place after all, and not half as dangerous as some would have us believe. Whether you're a biker, an armchair traveller or just someone looking for an exciting and inspiring read, then this book is for you. I can't praise it highly enough.

Great Read!
I missed the first two episodes when the series first aired, so I bought the book to see what I had missed. The book is even better than the show (though that seems impossible)! The story is more in depth and more personal. You get to read what Charley and Ewan are thinking and feeling during this amazing trip. A must for anyone!

Honest and Enjoyable
I recently bought this book half way through watching Charley and Ewan's doc' here in Australia only because we are going to miss two episodes of the programme whilst away. I am not a follower of either career.

So far I have to say I am really impressed with the book, it remains true to the programme, I feel handles the initial problems esp. with the KTM factory better than the programme itself! (I am an ex KTM owner so understand Charley's thoughts -BMW's like bottoms, everyone seems to have one! (Sorry Ewan and BMW).

I am pleased that the authors appear to be honest with the reader with their respective and sometimes opposing feelings, and it doesn't seem to have been glossed over by a publicity dept looking to promote either career (but probably hasn't hurt either).
I enjoy reading travel books, am not well travelled myself through Europe, but through Aust and New Zealand. This book (so far) has taken me with the guys, and I am thoroughly enjoying it for the (sometimes mis) adventure that it is.

Well done guys - but remember, the world doesn't begin and end with Europe and America, there is a lot more of it out there - look forward to book no. 2 where you include the rest of the world!