The 50 Greatest
Travel Books
of All Time
Quote:With a book in hand, travel becomes a two-fold adventure.
NOT ONLY ARE YOU personally experiencing a new culture – you are simultaneously seeing it through the eyes of another, during a different period in time.
Reading is a great form of entertainment and inspiration. However, for aspiring travel writers, it also serves as a necessary tool to learning the craft of writing. Books become your teachers, and who better to learn from than the legends of literature?
Who better to guide you through the streets of Paris and teach you how to make your words sing than Hemingway? What better way to learn how to recreate the details of a train ride than Paul Theroux?
- Death in the Afternoon by Ernest Hemingway
A necessary piece for those traveling through Spain, most especially for those planning on watching a bullfight. ItÂ’s an enviable work of journalistic skill that studies the art of bullfighting and its meaning within Spanish culture.
The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux
Paul Theroux’s “Great Railway Bazaar” captures the spontaneous pleasures of travel. Rich in observation and detail, this book is best read during solitary moments on a train. The route takes place from London’s Victoria Station to Asia and finally through the Trans-Siberian express. Capturing the idiosyncracies of train travel, the circumstances Theroux finds himself in, as well as the characters he encounters are a comical portrayal of life on the road.
Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin
One of the most in-depths books on Burma to date. The book is simultaneously a political analysis on Burma, a literary study of George OrwellÂ’s work, and an intoxicating travelogue.- When We Were Orphans by Kazou Ishiguro
This mystery novel will take you to the depths of Shanghai in the 1900′s and London in the 1930′s, as esteemed detective Christopher Banks searches for his parents, who had disappeared when he was a child. It is a startling look at loss, ambition, and the power of memory. - Four Corners: Into the Heart of New Guinea-One WomanÂ’s Solo Journey by Kira Salak
An inspiring read for women travelers, as Kira Salak proves that gender is not a barrier for a life of risk and adventure. It is both a story of survival and a personal reflection on a life lived without borders.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Often touted as the launching pad for vagabonders, wherein the purpose of life is to simply “live.” It’s an iconic book that has fueled the imagination of several generations of readers. A piece of pure voltage as the characters traipse their way through America in search of enlightenment. A bible for those “on the road” in search of meaning and adventure.
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
John Krakauer’s study of Chris McCandles short life will shake you to the core. It’s a story of a young man who decides to give up all his worldly possessions and head towards the Alaskan wilderness. Aptly changing his name to “Alexander Supertramp,” McCandles’ unwavering dedication to the journey is both awe-inspiring and ultimately heartbreaking.- Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel by Dai Sijie
Written like a fable or a tale, this book is a comical, yet touching account of life during the Cultural Revolution in China. Light in its delivery but profound in meaning, it serves as a reminder regarding the importance of intellectual freedom.
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Although this book is often looked down upon by the “literarati,” it is an exciting read, especially for those planning on making a trip to the Louvre museum in Paris. Not only interesting for conspiracy fans but also a passion to read for art lovers. It is guaranteed that you will see art in a different light.
- MidnightÂ’s Children by Salman Rushdie
At midnight, on August 15, 1957, one thousand and one children are born possessing supernatural powers. With them, like the country, the burden of freedom weighs heavily. Not only is it a stunning work of magical realism, itÂ’s a historical view of the hopes, dreams, and passions of post-colonial India. - America Is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan
Written by Carlos Bulosan, the first Filipino to be published in the United States of America, it is the story of his migrant experiences in the so-called ‘land of plentyÂ’ in the 1930′s. The book is about his journey through the American landscape and discusses life as an exile, dislocation, racism, and poverty. - Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History by Robert D. Kaplan
Kaplan’s ‘Balkan Ghosts: A Journey through History’ is not only a travelogue, but a political analysis of the past and present struggles within the region. He not only provides an interesting account of the Balkan peoples, but also gives insight to the roots and effects of hatred and terrorism.
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
The story revolves around the character of Christopher Marlow and his journey through the Congo. An important and timeless piece, especially for post-colonial studies, it poses questions on the concept of ‘civilization,’ the inner-struggle between good and evil, and colonialism.
Video Night in Kathmandu: And Other Reports from the Not-So-Far East by Pico Iyer
‘Video Night in Kathmandu’ is a collection of essays set in Asia from Pico Iyer, one of the most prolific of contemporary travel writers, which aims to dissect the the cross-cultural relationships between East and the West.- The Castle by Franz Kafka
A great piece for any traveler that has felt completely lost and alienated in a strange new city. It is an eerie novel of disambiguation as the character by the name of ‘K’ arrives as a land surveyor in an unamed village and seeks to gain entry into the castle but his path is blocked by mysterious authority figures and indifferent locals.
- Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The character of “Pi” (Piscine Molitor Patel), a young boy from Pondicherry whose father is a zookeeper, is shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean for 227 days. With him in the life raft are various animals, the most intriguing of which is the Bengal tiger who becomes Pi’s only friend, as well as enemy. A shocking and absorbing story that examines religion, spirituality, and the psychological effects of traumatic experiences.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
A great book for those planning on traveling through the former Czechoslovakia, or even those simply seeking artistic and philosophical insight. A novel about love, desire, and the struggle between logic and emotions; it follows the lives of artists during the invasion of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact Allies in the country.
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
An absorbing masterpiece by Henry James that emphasizes the differences between America and Europe. It is the confrontation of the New World versus the Old World, where the character of the American Isabel Archer travels to Europe to find her destiny. The novel is about the search and loss of freedom and a grand overview of an American in Europe during the Victorian era.
The Dark Room by Rachel Seiffert
“The Dark Room” is a profound novel that recounts the events of 20th century Germany through the lives and struggles of three characters all connected by their love-hate relationship with the city of Berlin.- The Tale of Murasaki: A Novel by Liza Dalby
Written in the form of a diary, the book is a display of Dalby’s skill for imagination and recreating Japanese literary history. It captures the essence of Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote “The Tale of Genji” and is full of philosophical and cultural insight.
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