What do you think?
Rate this book
There Are Other Rivers
Alastair Humphreys walked across India, from the Coromandel Coast to the Malabar Coast, following the course of a holy river.Walking alone and spending the nights sleeping under the stars, in the homes of welcoming strangers or in small towns and villages, he experienced the dusty enchantment of ordinary, real India on the smallest of budgets. There Are Other Rivers tells the story of the walk through an account of a single day as well as reflecting on the allure of difficult journeys and the eternal appeal of the open road.Nominated for National Geographic’s ‘Adventurer of the Year’ Reviews for previous “Believe me, he can write, and rather well” - Geographical- “...displays a tendency for Big Hairy Audacious Goals that is almost unnerving.”on - “This book has it it’s a great travel read, a look into the human soul and how most people, given enough determination, could attempt something like this.”- “No expensive equipment or ‘fastest, strongest, quickest’; just a brilliant, understated story.”- “Simply outstanding.”- “If you prefer the comfort of your armchair these books will still stir your imagination and curiosity for the world.”- “An absolute must-read or any passionate traveller.” on “Wow... another great book by Alastair Humphreys.”- “One of the best adventure travel books I’ve read.”
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2011
64 people are currently reading
506 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 1, 2022
Amazing book!
And the author... what a guy!
And the author... what a guy!
November 25, 2011
I'm one of those people who devour adventure books because vicariously I can be out there experiencing it too. In this book Alastair takes us on an internal journey as much as describing parts of his walk across India. It resonated with me deeply in parts, the need to be someone extraordinary, the desire to shed all physical possessions and just exist simply. I identify with the need to keep moving - I move every few years but I'm not as brave as Alastair. I also fell in love with India when I travelled there. It's one of those places I felt at home in so it was great to revisit some of those impressions through the eyes of such a seasoned traveller.
I find myself strangely jealous of the freedom to sleep under the stars, to walk towards the setting sun, to take each day anew. If you sometimes feel this way, you'll love this book. Highly recommended.
I find myself strangely jealous of the freedom to sleep under the stars, to walk towards the setting sun, to take each day anew. If you sometimes feel this way, you'll love this book. Highly recommended.
December 14, 2011
Alastair's latest book sees him in trekking solo across India, but this is not your typical backpacker tale. The fact that it's set in India and Alastair follows the Kaveri river is irrelevant. This is a book about what drives Alastair to seek out new adventures and tough challenges.
This is not a prescriptive guide to trekking along side one of India's holy rivers, but a touching human story about the urge to free the mind from the clutter of modern life and hark back to a more humble, simple time in our existence. Alastair explores a primordial instinct we all share but one that 21st century life tries so hard to suppress: to urge be nomodic; to roam free just like our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This theme is one that resonated with my own beliefs and something I could connect with particularly well.
Alastairs words inspire and aggitate the soul, leaving you filled with the energy and excitement to go out and explore. So what are you waiting for? There are other rivers...
This is not a prescriptive guide to trekking along side one of India's holy rivers, but a touching human story about the urge to free the mind from the clutter of modern life and hark back to a more humble, simple time in our existence. Alastair explores a primordial instinct we all share but one that 21st century life tries so hard to suppress: to urge be nomodic; to roam free just like our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This theme is one that resonated with my own beliefs and something I could connect with particularly well.
Alastairs words inspire and aggitate the soul, leaving you filled with the energy and excitement to go out and explore. So what are you waiting for? There are other rivers...
January 8, 2012
I got this direct from the author and it arrived as a welcome Xmas gift! I got a book and a large fold out leaflet that the author has called a mappazine. I'm not sure if you get both when you order from Amazon or if you have to get them separately, I'll review them individually and update when I get a confirmation either way from the author.
4 stars if you get both together and 3 and a bit if they are separate. 10 out of 5 for sheet effort though and be careful as you may end going on your own journey immediately afterwards, I certainly did!
Print book
First what this book is not in the author's own words:
* a book about India
* a chronological account
* an epic adventure tale
You will find scarce details on the actual journey across India, you don't even get the name of the river and you couldn't use this to plan your own trip but if you need inspiration then this is the right book.
What this book is, is an introspective look at this incredible journey with a "typical" day on this journey interspersed with the author's thoughts and feelings about the open road. This book feels very personal and a lot of care had gone into its production as the author has edited (faultlessly) and self published it himself. The story is told in a non linear fashion and it really works quite well but you get a sense that a large chunk of the middle is missing, it could be that 120 pages just feels too slim for such an epic feat, it seems to deserve more.
At the end of this book I had itchy feet and had to go on a little walk of my own, it ended up being about 30k!
Mappazine
I love this large fold out format, it works so much better and there is even a flow that works for the day across the bottom. All the text in here is also in the book and much of what was said previously applies here. The photo's are not the same but there is a photo book coming out separately. I'd give away the book but you'd have a fight on your hands getting this off me :-)
The book is available in kindle format but the mappazine wouldn't work electronically, part of the enjoyment is the discovery in the unfolding journey or at least it was for me.
4 stars if you get both together and 3 and a bit if they are separate. 10 out of 5 for sheet effort though and be careful as you may end going on your own journey immediately afterwards, I certainly did!
Print book
First what this book is not in the author's own words:
* a book about India
* a chronological account
* an epic adventure tale
You will find scarce details on the actual journey across India, you don't even get the name of the river and you couldn't use this to plan your own trip but if you need inspiration then this is the right book.
What this book is, is an introspective look at this incredible journey with a "typical" day on this journey interspersed with the author's thoughts and feelings about the open road. This book feels very personal and a lot of care had gone into its production as the author has edited (faultlessly) and self published it himself. The story is told in a non linear fashion and it really works quite well but you get a sense that a large chunk of the middle is missing, it could be that 120 pages just feels too slim for such an epic feat, it seems to deserve more.
At the end of this book I had itchy feet and had to go on a little walk of my own, it ended up being about 30k!
Mappazine
I love this large fold out format, it works so much better and there is even a flow that works for the day across the bottom. All the text in here is also in the book and much of what was said previously applies here. The photo's are not the same but there is a photo book coming out separately. I'd give away the book but you'd have a fight on your hands getting this off me :-)
The book is available in kindle format but the mappazine wouldn't work electronically, part of the enjoyment is the discovery in the unfolding journey or at least it was for me.
December 8, 2011
This is another 5* book by Alastair Humphreys... great work!
As Alastair notes, this is not a linear book of his travels across India but the experimental approach is refreshing and made continuous page turning through the book easy and pleasurable.
Over the years I have read, and greatly enjoyed, a lot of books about adventure. They often fuel my imagination and power my dreams for weeks after they have been read. I'm not sure if it is because I share similar beliefs, or perhaps just a similar age, with Alastair but I find a certain extra spark in his books that I have not discovered elsewhere in those other stories. His books don't just inspire my imagination, his books make me think I could actually get out there and do it myself. He doesn't make me think about doing something... I find myself planning it!
If I have to provide one gripe? It was too short! ;-) I am going to check out the photo book now and paste my review onto Amazon!
As Alastair notes, this is not a linear book of his travels across India but the experimental approach is refreshing and made continuous page turning through the book easy and pleasurable.
Over the years I have read, and greatly enjoyed, a lot of books about adventure. They often fuel my imagination and power my dreams for weeks after they have been read. I'm not sure if it is because I share similar beliefs, or perhaps just a similar age, with Alastair but I find a certain extra spark in his books that I have not discovered elsewhere in those other stories. His books don't just inspire my imagination, his books make me think I could actually get out there and do it myself. He doesn't make me think about doing something... I find myself planning it!
If I have to provide one gripe? It was too short! ;-) I am going to check out the photo book now and paste my review onto Amazon!
September 11, 2015
In this short book, adventurer Humphreys takes his experiences from his walk across the southern portion of India and creates a magical, almost mystical day, from waking up in a dirty, shit smeared boarding room, to another one on the opposite coast. Choosing to walk along one of India's holy rivers, his day is presented through the prism of meditations on life and its meaning. This is one of the most beautiful books I've read in a while, and my highlighter got plenty of use along the way. Although not a gifted writer technically, his account is inspiring and thought provoking. I'm sure this will be a book I return to time and again in the future.
November 8, 2025
Humphreys said it himself:
"First of all, here’s what this book is not:
- A book about India.
- A chronological account of a coast-to-coast walk across southern India.
- An epic adventure tale.
"
I just wish he’d said that at the start of the book, not the end!
I usually love Humphreys’ books and adventures, but this one felt a bit forced and overly self-centred. What’s there to learn about his journey if he didn’t research India, didn’t know much about where he was going, and didn’t speak the language? The book ends up reading more like a vague memoir of his motivations and emotions than a travel or adventure narrative. It’s not a bad book, just not what I was hoping to read, unfortunately.
"First of all, here’s what this book is not:
- A book about India.
- A chronological account of a coast-to-coast walk across southern India.
- An epic adventure tale.
"
I just wish he’d said that at the start of the book, not the end!
I usually love Humphreys’ books and adventures, but this one felt a bit forced and overly self-centred. What’s there to learn about his journey if he didn’t research India, didn’t know much about where he was going, and didn’t speak the language? The book ends up reading more like a vague memoir of his motivations and emotions than a travel or adventure narrative. It’s not a bad book, just not what I was hoping to read, unfortunately.
February 23, 2022
A book about everyday on long and hard adventures.
July 11, 2021
Quite enjoyable read. I've chosen to read it because it's more about the Travel, rather than about India. And still such book simply could not omit all the the repulsive things that India is rich with. It surely brought back memories about my own experience in this country and only emphasised desire to never go back there.
February 8, 2012
I got this book free through Goodreads First Reads.
When I received this book I was keen to read it. The subtitle "On Foot Across India" hinted at some exotic travel memoir. As a bit of an armchair traveller it appealed to me. Then the author began: "...this book is not a book about India." How can it not be about India? I didn't believe him. Perhaps I should have done. He should know. As I read on I realised that he was telling the truth, and I wondered if maybe it should have contained more about India. However by the time I finished it I had finally 'got it' - and it turned out to be better than a book about India.
In this book the author explains to the reader (and perhaps to himself?) his motives for travelling alone in distant places with no idea of where he'll sleep or find food and water. However he could be talking about anything when he says things like:
"Live your day well, with enthusiasm, dedication and curiosity. Do this, and you will sleep well..."
and
"...I believe that it is possible to succeed at almost any big idea. Not much is required except the boldness to begin and the perseverance and initiative to keep moving."
I feel like I should be writing these things down so that I don't forget. So that I don't succumb to the 'flabbiness' that he describes.
I enjoyed his writing style. It has a pleasant light, smooth feeling. Unlike some authors, I don't imagine that he sat agonising over a thesaurus. It's more like reading his diary. It feels intimate and honest.
I was especially impressed with the proofreading. It just goes to show that self-publishing is not the inferior little brother of traditional publishing.
When I received this book I was keen to read it. The subtitle "On Foot Across India" hinted at some exotic travel memoir. As a bit of an armchair traveller it appealed to me. Then the author began: "...this book is not a book about India." How can it not be about India? I didn't believe him. Perhaps I should have done. He should know. As I read on I realised that he was telling the truth, and I wondered if maybe it should have contained more about India. However by the time I finished it I had finally 'got it' - and it turned out to be better than a book about India.
In this book the author explains to the reader (and perhaps to himself?) his motives for travelling alone in distant places with no idea of where he'll sleep or find food and water. However he could be talking about anything when he says things like:
"Live your day well, with enthusiasm, dedication and curiosity. Do this, and you will sleep well..."
and
"...I believe that it is possible to succeed at almost any big idea. Not much is required except the boldness to begin and the perseverance and initiative to keep moving."
I feel like I should be writing these things down so that I don't forget. So that I don't succumb to the 'flabbiness' that he describes.
I enjoyed his writing style. It has a pleasant light, smooth feeling. Unlike some authors, I don't imagine that he sat agonising over a thesaurus. It's more like reading his diary. It feels intimate and honest.
I was especially impressed with the proofreading. It just goes to show that self-publishing is not the inferior little brother of traditional publishing.
October 10, 2015
Frankly, boring. Doing "adventure" without really experiencing much adventure is not very inspiring. This book is not about adventure really, is not about India really, is not about the nature of human really. Is mostly about how doing something difficult is difficult and lots of vague rationalizing. Perhaps this trip just wasn't much interesting (given that author doesn't speak any Indian language, seems to know very little about India and picked India basically only to check another country off his last - not much of wonder). It's pity though that not interesting trip still required writing a book albeit a short one. Personal lesson: doing my own first world kind of "adventure" trip to a distant foreign country and microblogging it, it's a reminder that if I don't really have anything to say, I shouldn't force it.
January 23, 2012
I receieved this book and a large fold out leaflet that the author has called a mappazine from a win at Goodreads, and having read another book by Alastair, i was looking forward to reading it. It is not the usual 'run of the mill' adventure story, as although it tracks his walk across India, it is not about the trek and surrounds, but more about his daily account of the grind of the walk and soul searching. Unique and wonderful, thank you
April 1, 2012
This book is structured around a "typical day" as adventurer Alastair Humphreys walked through India along a holy river. He tangents off to reflect on things like sunsets, struggle, flabbiness, hunger and such as he goes along. Ends up being a good meditation on the open road and simple striving. Humphreys also is a pretty good writer and his ideas flow well as he moves along on his journey. Good read.
February 19, 2012
Bought Kindle version on 2/12/2012.
I appreciated this book - self-published by the author. He walks across India with everything he needs in his backpack. I expected a chronological story, much like his 2-volume cycling adventure. Instead, this was mostly an analysis of what motivates him to embark on hard adventures. A little different, but still well done.
I appreciated this book - self-published by the author. He walks across India with everything he needs in his backpack. I expected a chronological story, much like his 2-volume cycling adventure. Instead, this was mostly an analysis of what motivates him to embark on hard adventures. A little different, but still well done.
September 30, 2014
A inner journey trough the author beliefs. Of what drives a person to seek uncomfortable feelings, intertwine with the lure of the open endless road. Of what is like to be vulnerable and free while pursing your passions.
The background might be his walk across India, but the central motif is universal in all facets of human adventure.
Another great book from Alastair. Keep up the good work.
The background might be his walk across India, but the central motif is universal in all facets of human adventure.
Another great book from Alastair. Keep up the good work.
December 17, 2012
Unusual style - some interesting insights and emotions but as he says, it's a bit of a brain dump rather than the story of his trek across India. I wanted a bit more story, but I did enjoy - and empathise immensely with - some of his musings about travel, solitude and life.
December 21, 2021
Introverted book about Alastair Humphreys and why he has a desire to travel.
Quite repetitive and meandering. Not really sure if I gained much from it except I now know the workings of Alastair Humphreys mind.
Quick and easy read though. Nothing gained, nothing lost!
Quite repetitive and meandering. Not really sure if I gained much from it except I now know the workings of Alastair Humphreys mind.
Quick and easy read though. Nothing gained, nothing lost!
June 13, 2013
It's a bit short, but if you don't feel inspired to go off on an adventure after reading it, then read it again.
March 21, 2014
A gentle meditation on what it is that drives the author to seek out challenges and adventures, but imbued with lovely cameos of his encounters with the people he meets as he walks across India
August 13, 2022
Really enjoyable style and way of presenting Alastair’s journey walking across the south of India. I like and can appreciate what you’ve produced here. Although sometimes I find the writing a tad whiny…
I’d loved to know more about the specific journey. It also strangely gave me the sense of nostalgia from some of my own trips in India and other parts of the world. The questions, the bbbeeepbeeeeepbeeeps, the amazing wild camping locations, friendly strangers, enjoying the viscosity of time - rather than rushing through it, more questions, the energy and excitement of the road, the persistence, the romanticism of know where you’re going but not where you will end up today etc.
I’d loved to know more about the specific journey. It also strangely gave me the sense of nostalgia from some of my own trips in India and other parts of the world. The questions, the bbbeeepbeeeeepbeeeps, the amazing wild camping locations, friendly strangers, enjoying the viscosity of time - rather than rushing through it, more questions, the energy and excitement of the road, the persistence, the romanticism of know where you’re going but not where you will end up today etc.
May 16, 2017
This is a nice account of Humphreys's travels across India, though they're more minute observations about his experiences than a tell-all. He makes allusions to tweets that he was maintaining while on this journey, which I do wish had been included, as I hadn't been aware of Humphreys when he made this trip. They tell a different aspect of his trip that I would also like to read without having to troll through old tweets (take note, Al!)
I did enjoy the read, but I love Humphreys for his concept of microadventures, and embracing being a weekend warrior. I'll be reading that one next.
I did enjoy the read, but I love Humphreys for his concept of microadventures, and embracing being a weekend warrior. I'll be reading that one next.
October 8, 2018
Most travel books are self-reflective to a certain extent, but this is almost more self-reflection than travel. It is an attempt to encapsulate a day of travel (in place of any day) with the reasons for travel.
As a committed traveler myself the attitude of 'get out the armchair and see the world' grated just a smidge but the book was interesting and we'll written, although the very short chapters and lack of a narrative stopped me getting my teeth into it in any meaningful way
As a committed traveler myself the attitude of 'get out the armchair and see the world' grated just a smidge but the book was interesting and we'll written, although the very short chapters and lack of a narrative stopped me getting my teeth into it in any meaningful way
December 10, 2020
Loved it! Alastair has tried to generalize his story to tell a message - it is not important where it happened, it could have happen anyplace else in this world, so you need not go on a adventure far from home, it's there where you, it's there where you want it to be.
Like other books by Alastair, this one also will cater best to a segment of people who like minimalistic adventure but, I would recommend to all just because it's some beautiful messages.
Like other books by Alastair, this one also will cater best to a segment of people who like minimalistic adventure but, I would recommend to all just because it's some beautiful messages.
August 19, 2017
What an odd little book. I didn't even realise till I read it at the end that it's meant to represent one day in his travels over India. Sorry to say it's very self indulgent and just goes on and on about why the author likes to go on solo adventures and not have to live a boring mundane life. Groan. I didn't learn anything new here- about the author or much about India either.
January 5, 2021
Re-read of a memorably introspective adventure. Amongst the many pages about the nature of the struggle, the appeal of it, the need for it, Humphreys still has time to fit in some of the best descriptions of India I've read. It's the sort of journey I'd love to undertake myself, in theory, but would never actually follow through on.
January 21, 2022
Excellent book on adventure.
I got this book free on a Kindle deal and to be totally honest, for some reason I had low expections.
However, it's brilliant. It combines the philosophical and practical aspects of adventure perfectly. For me it summed up exactly why I like to do these silly adventures and personal challenges better than anything I've ever read.
I got this book free on a Kindle deal and to be totally honest, for some reason I had low expections.
However, it's brilliant. It combines the philosophical and practical aspects of adventure perfectly. For me it summed up exactly why I like to do these silly adventures and personal challenges better than anything I've ever read.
February 7, 2017
The book was about embracing uncertainty and the authors' why behind thirst to do so. Liked reading about a day here and there across the Indian villages, towns and nature trails. Loved author's description of chai stalls, sweeping of roads, big kolams brought back pleasant memories of India
November 26, 2017
Boring, repetitive and self-indulgent. And when he tells you upfront that this book is NOT about India, believe him. It’s all about and only about him. The only thing he seemed to share about India is that everyone eats curry everyday. Sorry, but just not my kind of book.
April 15, 2020
This book is useful to anyone with the blood of adventure running through their veins.
I always believe adventure is a state of mind. This books gives inspiration to those planning a future adventure. Everyday can be an adventure.
I always believe adventure is a state of mind. This books gives inspiration to those planning a future adventure. Everyday can be an adventure.
April 20, 2020
Reading this book totally made me want to go on a similar walk. I also really enjoyed how it was not written in a linear format. Alastair is quickly becoming one of my favorite adventure and travel writers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews