10 great travel books for on the go

10 great travel books for on the go

We've picked 10 great travel books to read on the go after spending hours, maybe days, on long trips with our heads buried in books.

Great travel books

1. The Snows of Kilimanjaroby Ernest Hemingway

When you talk about Ernest Hemingway and great travel books, you have a lot to choose from. I chose The Snows of Kilimanjaro because for me it contains a bit of sentimentality. I read the short story shortly before I climbed Kilimanjaro in 2010.

It didn't help me in my rise and it's not exactly full of optimism, but it's a great read that reflects the time and culture in which Hemingway was embedded - for better or for worse.

2. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell

Not exactly another happy story, but Orwell doesn't make you happy. Whether you are a socialist or a nationalist, you can't help but be moved by Homage to Catalonia Orwell's personal account of his experiences from his time in Spain during the Civil War.

His description of Barcelona after the first communist successes is uplifting and full of hope for the left among his audience (myself included). Anyone who knows his history knows that unfortunately things don't turn out so well for left-handers.

3. Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl

Kon Tiki is a (fairly) modern tale of adventure and bravery in the tropical seas if ever there was one. In 1947, Thor Heyerdahl and his six-man Norwegian crew set out to prove that Polynesians migrated from South America, not Asia, in pre-Columbian times.

He thought the best way to do this was on a raft. A raft modeled and built using the designs and technologies available at the time. Oh, and the journey was 6,900 km (4,300 miles) across the Pacific Ocean. What a man.

4. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

If you're British, this is hilarious. Relentless. I don't know if it's that funny if you're not British - you'll have to let me know. Aside from its hilarity, Notes from a Small Island gives a great insight into British culture and mentality from an outsider's perspective. Not to mention great descriptions of a cross-section of British cities and regions, always described in satirical detail. Heartwarming all around, really, and worthy of a place on any list of great travel books.

5. Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

It's a classic and one of the great travel books! How could it not be in here? When I was hiking through Norway a few years ago, I became a bit obsessed with Jules Verne and read about ten of Verne's stories. Around the World in 80 Days is a good place to start.

A thrilling adventure from the 19th centurythCentury full of curious innuendos and some questionable political correctness! The good old-fashioned dream of world travel fun!

6. The Last Place on Earth by Roland Huntford

I love this book because it provides an in-depth and methodical look into the contrasting preparations and expeditions of Amundsen and Scott to reach the South Pole. Both made it, but only one survived.

However, The Last Place on Earth controversially highlights how this was written to the wind and was destined to happen from the start. The book is deeply critical of Scott, hence the controversy. Reading this, it's a wonder he even made it out of the English Channel!

7. Southby Ernest Shackleton

South. Just reading the title gives me chills. They don't make them like they used to! The South Pole had gone to Amundsen and Scott in 1911 and 1912 respectively, but there were still trophies to be won in Antarctica.

Unfortunately, Shackleton would not gain anything from this venture. Plagued by problems from the start, this is a story of human endurance in the face of adversity if ever there was one. Stranded on the Antarctic continent, Shackleton leads his team on a harrowing three-year quest for survival.

8. In Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

In 1996, eight climbers were killed and several others injured on Mount Everest, the highest mountain on earth. Krakauer was one of the lucky ones. Into Thin Air is a chilling glimpse into what it was like to be on the mountain during those godforsaken nights. As a climber and adventure junkie, I rather foolishly cling to the dream of one day climbing Everest. After reading this, I'm not sure I will.

9. On the Map: Why the World Looks the Way It Looks by Simon Garfield

I love cards. I can't help myself. This isn't just about cards, though; It is more of a reflection on travel and exploration over the centuries. It also touches on the way people, and especially travelers, interact with the world around them as they travel from one place to another. On The Map is certainly a bit geeky, but certainly entertaining and informative.

10. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

I just finished reading Treasure Island for the first time since I was a kid and had to put it in. It's still great. The names alone evoke the anticipation and excitement I felt as a child about what I would do when I grew up.

Long John Silver, Billy Bones, Black Dog, Ben Gunn and a tale of privateers and buried gold are the dreams of little boys. Well, they were for me anyway.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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