Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #393009 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

A motorcycle Odyssey through exotic climes ...
Under Asian Skies
Under Asian Skies is a very personal memoir of a once in a lifetime, extended trip to a part of the world which evokes welcome images of the exotic, not least since we have just experienced the greyest British `summer' known to modern man. Packed along the way with interesting little nuggets of information, peopled with diverse and often colourful characters, detailing personal challenges and obstacles to be overcome and peppered with insightful social observations, this is a frank and honest account of an adventure which offers much for anyone considering a `gap year' or `career break' vacation, with or without motorcycle.

The author, Sam Manicom, comes across as a compulsively likeable character whose laid-back philosophy is non-discriminatory and dictates that he takes the world at face value. His reaction to the potentially catastrophic incident, where he is sent flying off his beloved bike `Libby' by an idiotic third party, is by any measure astoundingly tolerant. There is also his commendable stoicism in the face of medical setbacks which would have reduced almost anyone else, myself included, to a gibbering wreck! These noble virtues are offset by an indefatigable sense of adventure and not inconsiderable degree of impulsiveness - some might say recklessness - not to mention the unexpectedly mulish stubbornness provoked by encountering a little mild bureaucracy when entering Australia. Most refreshing to me, however, is that he doesn't take himself too seriously, as memorably illustrated in his cheerful description of a gross-out incident on a bus of truly epic proportions. You need to read the book ...

I thoroughly enjoyed `Under Asian Skies' and cannot help but regard Sam Manicom as a real inspiration to those of us who hold a dearly cherished dream to travel widely and experience all that other cultures have to offer, but haven't yet found the courage to live it.

The adventure continued.
Once again Sam has worked his magic with the written word in this the follow on to his first book, Into Africa, the continuing story is of the experience and not the journey, the people he meets and his interaction with them. He has such a way with the words that he draws you into the pages as if you where along side him and experiencing everything along the way.

A must read!
This is the second book of Sam's I've read, the first being "Into Africa"
The insight given into the places travelled to feels very real, as if you are a part of the trip yourself. The journeys (in case you don't already know) are ridden on a motorcycle but the book I feel would be just as enjoyable and interesting to a non motorcyclist.
I thoroughly recommend Sam's books and am really look forward to reading his third "Distant Suns" which has just been published.