The Tao Of Travel: Enlightenments from Lives on the Road

Like many of the previous reviewers, I have read many of Theroux's previous travel books, have enjoyed all of them, and have learned something from each of them. Therefore it was with considerable anticipation that I ordered and read this book. I knew before I read it that it would be a compendium or compilation of travel musings from Theroux and others, and I was not sure whether I would enjoy it. I am happy to say that I enjoyed the book thoroughly and that it quite exceeded my expectations. It is true that there is very little that is original in this book. So what? What is there is marvelous, and even though Theroux quotes from himself a good bit, it is also quite true that it is highly unlikely that I would ever have come across most of the reflections on travel by other authors that Theroux includes here. That alone makes this book a gem. For example, here is this pearl from Hans Christian Andersen, right on page 1: "Homesickness is a feeling that many know and suffer from; I on the other hand feel a pain less known, and its name is 'Outsickness.'" Is there any true traveler with whom that quote won't resonate? I am very much like Theroux in that, like him, I have felt a wanderlust, and urge to travel, at least from childhood or early adolescence, and it is exactly that wanderlust that Andersen is referring to when he mentions "Outsickness." For me the urge to travel began when I read Richard Halliburton's books as a teenager, and I was happy to see that Theroux mentions and quotes from Halliburton here. This is especially gratifying because, although Halliburton is remembered and revered by people of a certain age, he is almost forgotten today. Theroux does not shrink from differentiating between travelers and tourists. I had to chuckle at one of Theroux's own comments: "Choose your country, use guidebooks to identify the areas most frequented by foreigners--and then go in the opposite direction." This is very similar to something I have always said to acquaintances that I consider serious travelers--if, when you tell people where you are going and their response is "what the hell do you want to go THERE for?"--then you know you're going to the right place. Theroux also mentions other essentials of travel if it is truly going to be the learning experience or epiphany that you want it to be: travel alone, don't overplan, and above all, leave your electronic equipment at home. This book is unlike anything that Theroux has written before in that it seems to be a distillation of everything essential to be said about travel--hence, I suppose, the title. But it also caused me to wonder, given that Theroux recently turned seventy: is this Theroux's swan song? Is this his goodbye to travel writing? Is this his way of saying "that's all there is; there is no more?" Will we be seeing any more travel books from Paul Theroux? If that is indeed the case, then this book is a very worthy ending to an illustrious career. If you love travel, and if you haven't done so already, I urge you to buy a copy posthaste.

As a well renowned traveler and writer that explored the world Author Paul Theroux shares those experiences with readers in “The Tao of Travel: Enlightenments from Lives on the Road." The book is not merely a travel log of the places he has been but a combination of contemplation and imagination that intermingles with the most legendary writers that, too, have traveled the farthest ends of the globe from the east to the west through fiction and all that it possesses in color and smell and the most barren and exotic natural landscapes. From the beginning of the book Theroux stresses that books can take the reader to any place that they are open to travel and provides a way to fantasizing freedom on a road that paves a journey of endless possibilities. Simply stated, “Eventually, I saw that the most passionate travelers have always also been passionate readers and writers. And after reading that quote it will not be last, the book contains 27 thematic chapters that blend passages from Theroux’s previous books and writers that have inspired him as well from Ralph Waldo Emerson to T.S. Eliot and the quintessential writer of travel Paul Bowles. It had not always been the list of literati that sprung an interest in travel but his earliest childhood memory with the book “Donn Fendler: Lost on a Mountain in Maine" that has stayed with him with lasting impressions of lessons and inspiration and the wisdom of Buddha, “you cannot travel the path before you have become the path itself.” Not only does the tone of philosophy breathes through the book but also history and experiences that resonates with the greater meaning of what travel deeply means for those that have made the journey parallel to Theroux. There are several interesting parts of the book but one that stands out that relates to bridging of the gap between the past – the time spent traveling to a place and the present -- what it is during the moment it is experienced; this may be understood in the chapter “The Navel of the World.” Theroux makes and interesting point, “to travel in ignorance of a region’s history leaves you unable to understand the “why" of anything or anyone…learn as much about religions and social taboos and respect them” (Kindle location 702). After reading The Tao of Travel one may ask the same question Theroux asked, “what is your favorite travel book?”

The combination of the title, format and author combined to tempt me to this purchase. Sadly I wish I had saved the money. Rather than being the interesting collection of witty excerpts cleverly compiled and interlinked with insightful commentary that I had anticipated it is simply a dull catalog of travel drivel that as far as I could tell had no emotional commitment from Mr PT. If pushed i would suggest one or more editors simply pulled a bunch of acclaimed travel writers literature together, threw darts to select paragraphs and the passed to Mr PT to approve, which he sadly did. The only book I have not finished :(

It's true, The Tao of Travel is more than anything else a collection of quotes about travel from books by Paul Theroux's favorite writers. And his very favorite writer is himself! It's only Tao in the title... However, even as a reference book, it's a fun read as well as a chance to discover other travel writers such as R. L. Stevenson and D. H. Lawrence, and a few behind the scenes stories. I'm now looking forward to reading Theroux's other books. The beautiful binding, maps, and quality printing make it a nice gift, or a worthwhile addition to your library.

Eines meiner Lieblingsreisebücher.. Zu tiefst philosophisch... Sehr tiefsinnig und interessant! Wunderschöner Einband, perfekt zum Mitnehmen! Hab das Buch oft auf Reisen dabei...

I first borrowed this book from my local library but soon felt the quality of the content required personal possession with no time limits. The volume is beautifully bound in red leather and has good heft in the hand. Paul Theroux takes one on a wonderful, insightful tour of many authors from different epochs as they wrote about their travels - real and imagined. A rare treat and a happy surprise for readers. Thank you, Mr. Theroux.

I read it before. I offered it as a present to a friend.