Breaking Free

by Denis Hickey

Why would a man who has everything leave? Denis Hickey, a successful Silicon Valley businessman at the peak of his career, trades his Mercedes for a backpack and travels the world for a year. A year that would change his life forever. He leaves his high-powered job and hectic lifestyle, says goodbye to family and friends, and sets out on a care-free exploration of the world, people, and love. Breaking Free tells the story of a person driven by family and money who rejects further responsibility to follow his vision. The story pulls the reader into the intimacy and mystery of long term travel through the wilderness of Africa, explosiveness and charm of the Middle East, and the vastness and romance of Siberia. Denis challenges people he meets to answer tough questions, and faces hard ones of his own.

364 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2013

About the author

Denis Hickey grew up in a family headed by strong, loving women who provided him with a sound basis to write this book. He ran his first business at twenty-six and retired at forty-eight to backpack around the world and write. In between he raised a fun family with a wonderful woman and two lovely daughters, Shannon and Chimene. In business he learned entrepreneurial skills in Silicon Valley and worked with companies on the leading edge of five different technologies. Later he co-founded the crisis management firm, Hickey & Hill. Denis lives in Warsaw, Poland, with his second wife, Malgosia, and son, Sean, pursuing his passion for writing and striving to achieve a mellow satisfaction in life.

Reviews

[Emily (Heinlen) Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing in this book was strong and the stories interesting. Anyone wanting a quick read about how someone's life can change based on the decisions he makes and the places he goes will enjoy this book. However, I had a hard time enjoying it because I am of the opinion that simply taking off for a year and leaving everything and everyone behind is not the way to find yourself and its not fair to those you leave behind.