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[Note: Each Saturday this month, Vagablogging has featured self-published travel books reviewed by self-published travel authors. We finish this series with Douglas Jewell's review of Imagine: A Vagabonding Story.]
Review by Douglas Jewell
Most American students are content to finish their years in school and jump right into the business world. But then there are the others, the restless one percent. Their time in academia leaves them wondering, “What next?”
Grant Lingel, just seven credits shy of earning his college degree, needed a change. A desire to experience adventure and new surroundings drove him to buy a one-way plane ticket from his home in New York to Mexico. Thus began his 2006 nomadic odyssey that he has artfully portrayed in his book Imagine: A Vagabond Story.
His travels through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala introduce him and his readers to the sub-culture of similar-minded mostly twenty-somethings from throughout North America, Europe, Israel, and Australia that likewise wanted to experience a whirlwind life not found in guidebooks or packaged tours. It was life on the edge, devoid of routine, always ready for spontaneity.
Lingel does a masterful job of letting the reader get inside his mind, as he exposes his self-doubts, triumphs, and innermost thoughts. His vivid descriptions of the people and third-world cultures he encounters give the reader the feeling of almost being along on the journey. If you don’t have the wherewithal to go vagabonding yourself, Imagine is the next best thing.
Douglas Jewell is the author of Roadtrip: A Baby Boomer’s Misadventures in Hitchhiking and Other Unconventional Travel.
August 29th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Wow, that was a glowing review. You’ve definitely raised my curiosity about his story.
August 29th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Me too! It sounds great… I just read the first three chapters on vagabondstory.com and can’t wait to read the rest!
August 29th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Great review! The cover alone makes me want to start reading. According to his website the book will be available September 1st. Definitely looking forward to picking up a copy.
August 29th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I agree about the cover! I just ordered my copy
August 29th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
This makes me, the like to stay in one place and have security person, actually want to go on an adventure!!! I can’t wait to read how Grant did it. Hey, maybe it’ll inspire me to take a step out of my comfort zone and actually do it myself!
August 29th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Wow…. what a great review! I read the first three chapters and it left me wanting more! I wish I had the guts to do what Grant did.
August 29th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
That was a great review…I am definitely going to have to order a copy. It sounds like its going to be a really interesting and unique read. I completely agree about the cover, very aesthetically pleasing. How were guys able to read the first couple of chapters???
August 29th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
The first 3 chapters are on his website http://www.vagabondstory.com … he wanted people to be able to get a feel for it. The first 3 chapters, however, do NOT do the book justice. I ordered mine in a pre-order and got it on Thursday. I am ALMOST done with it and am completely enthralled by the adventures this young man has had. This review does do the book justice. I really do feel like I am on the trip with him! The cover is an amazing image…. serene, yet scary for someone like me who has never traveled outside of luxury before. Kind of makes me want to pack a bag, spin a globe and point out a destination to try… Go Grant! Can’t wait to here about more exciting adventures!!!
August 29th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Sounds like a great trip perhaps in more ways than one . The cover also caught my eye. Can’t wait to dive in!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:55 am
Awesome review! I read this book and it was incredible, it truly makes me want to jump out of my corporate america cubicle and pack a bag for mexico immediately! This book is a must read – order your copy now, you will not be disappointed. Cheers to all the vagabonds out there..
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Wow. Nice work Grant. Always nice to get top review.