Lone Traveler: Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux got me hooked on armchair travel. The first book I read was The Great Railway Bazaar--a great circle route from London, through Europe, south Asia, Japan and back via the Trans-Siberian Railway. Theroux was doing what I wanted to do and writing about it with a clear and original voice. Theroux is best known for his train travel books but he is more of an intrepid traveler who stays as close to native means of travel as possible. Some have described him as described as a curmudgeon but that adds to the draw. He has definite views about people and places and that creates for a natural tension that keeps you reading. You want to know his reactions to things even if they're not your reactions. He is also exceptionally honest in his writing putting even his vainest ideas and insecurities in his narrative. In my all time top three best travel writers. Strongly recommend his work. You won't be bored. 1. T...