Product Description

After their fantastic trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman couldn't shake the travel bug. And after an inspirational UNICEF visit to Africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth. And so they set off on their 15,000-mile journey with two new BMWs loaded up for the trip. Joining up with producer/directors Russ Malkin and David Alexanian and the Long Way Round team, their route took them from John O'Groats at the northernmost tip of Scotland to Cape Agulhas on the southernmost tip of South Africa. Riding through spectacular scenery, often in extreme temperatures, Ewan and Charley faced their hardest challenges yet. With their trademark humour and honesty they tell their story - the drama, the dangers and the sheer exhilaration of riding together again, through a continent filled with magic and wonder.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18868 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
For LONG WAY DOWN: 'A great book' BELLA Praise for LONG WAY ROUND: '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

Disappointing sequel
I went straight out to buy this book, having really enjoyed Long Way Round and Race To Dakar. I wasn't necessarily expecting more of the same - I knew from the start that their ride through Africa would have a very different feel to Long Way Round. And unlike a lot of newspaper reviewers, I don't have a problem with the fact that they did a lot of work for 'charidee' along the way. But this book was still a disappointment. The account of the journey lacked any really coherence and I didn't feel by the end of the it that they had undertaken a great adventure in the same way that they had on their previous trip. The book also referred at several points to tension within the camp and that seemed to be reflected in an awkward writing style and succession of rather flat jokes. I'd struggle to recommend this to anyone, either a fan or someone new to the series.

Disappointing after the brilliant first...
Have just finished this and am extremely disappointed, as others have said before me.

It had absolutely none of the magic or adventure of Long Way Round, and seemed a truly half-hearted attempt at recording the journey.

Frustratingly, I cannot put my finger on the reason for this. But what came across occasionally was obvious tensions between the crew, which I suspect started with the decision for Ewan's wife to partake in part of the trip. I'm guessing this caused some friction between Ewan and Charlie and it has come across in the writing.

A real shame as it's something I was truly looking forward to.

Long Way Down
Having loved the series of LWD I was hoping for good things from the book. I suppose after the lack lustre LWR book I should have know what to expect! This is sadly like the first book, slow paced, not especially descriptive, a touch dry and focusing more on the petty tensions and frustrations than the actual journey. Funnily enough you didn't get a feel for the tension from the TV series, but this book really focuses upon them. Charley has a habit of name dropping all the sponsors and equipment providers, which although I know they have to acknowledge, the body of the text isn't the best place to do so. One redeeming factor is the various colour plate sections which show the journey in quite a good light and the maps are up to a good standard also. It seems like a great adventure and the TV series showed that aspect really well, the book on the other hand is a little dry. Worth it if you're a big fan of the series, other wise you can give it a miss and not worry too much.