 | |
List Price: $17.00 | | Publisher: Atria
Salesrank: 8624
|
| Our Price: $10.13 |
| Used Price: $7.48 |
|
| Media: Paperback |
|
Editorial Review:
Eighteen countries. Five shock absorbers.
Two bikers. One amazing adventure...
After their fantastic trip round the world in 2004, fellow actors and bike fanatics Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman couldn't shake the travel bug. Inspired by their UNICEF visits to Africa, they knew they had to go back and experience this extraordinary continent in more depth.
And so they set off on their 15,000-mile journey with two new BMWs loaded up for the trip. Their route took them from John O'Groats at the northernmost tip of Scotland to Cape Agulhas on the southernmost tip of South Africa.
Along the way they rode some of the toughest terrain in the world -- and met some of the friendliest people. They rode their bikes right up to the pyramids in Egypt and visited Luke Skywalker's house in Tunisia. They met people who had triumphed over terrifying experiences -- former childhood soldiers in Uganda and children living amidst the minefields of Ethiopia. They had a close encounter with a family of gorillas in Rwanda and were nearly trampled by a herd of elephants in Botswana.
Riding through spectacular scenery, often in extreme temperatures, Ewan and Charley faced their hardest challenges yet. With their trademark humor and honesty they tell their story -- the drama, the dangers and sheer exhilaration of riding together again, through a continent filled with magic and wonder.
Long Way Down: An Epic Journey by Motorcycle from Scotland to South Africa Reviews:
Adventure 
2009-08-06 - I am a fan of Ewan and Charlie. Their trip around the world in Long Way Down inspired me to replace a Harley with a BMW. For anyone who is a fan of motorcycles and has a dream of riding in foreign lands, this book offers great enjoyment. Now most of us won't have a support crew and sag wagon, but these guys still manage to keep it real and this fun read shows you that not all movie stars are spoiled hollywood brats.
Another great journey. 
2009-05-22 - Due to scheduling complications with the ferry for the first 1/3rd of the trip, Long Way Down (LWD) had a rushed and more stressful feel to it in comparison to Long Way Round. This led to a slightly less enjoyable experience for the reader/viewer in my opinion.
Nevertheless, this voyage is still Ewan and Charley at their best. These guys enjoy motorcycling and traveling on them so much that they make the best out of any situation.
The way they document the trip is so honest, and really opens you up to their personalities - something you rarely get to see with famous people. It's so honest and humble, yet funny and appropriately opinionated at the same time. The quality of the book - the editing, the photos and the writing are superb in their natural style.
The fact that they take time to do charity work as well as show the world things that most choose to ignore is wonderful. Plus, like the LWR trip - it's an incredible way to show the beauty of our world and politeness of so many of the people in it.
The books and movies are true magic on film - whether or not you like motorcycles or not (i am obsessed), it is nearly impossible to not fall in love with these two guys and their journey of a lifetime.
Not long enough 
2009-03-15 - Story too rushed, deadlines forcing abbreviated adventure. Too bad they didn't take their time and tell the full story. Experienced bikers know mistakes were made, making the trip more hazardous and difficult than necessary. Nonetheless, it was a sometimes heartwarming and sometimes frustrating read about an expedition few would undertake.
A fun read
2009-03-02 - I watched the videos of this and "Long Way Round" and read both books. I thought "Long Way Round" was better, but this was still well worth reading. Ewan and Charlie have a good chemistry and it comes through in the book. The only thing I would have liked to have seen done differently is to have a little more of the support characters such as Russ and Dave involved. The cameraman almost disappeared entirely and he was pretty prominent in the last book.
Still an enjoyable read.
Great adventure story
2009-02-10 - Loved this journey by motorcycle. DVD was wonderful. You wouldn't believe the hardships involved in this trip
