Angels and Rabies: A Journey Through the Americas

by Manchán Magan

Angels and Rabies follows the author on a backpacking trip through the Americas. Along the way he meets a Hollywood starlet, witnesses the outbreak of war in Ecuador, and ends up in the mighty Amazon jungle. Magan is uniquely qualified to document his journey, having written, presented and co-produced over 50 travel documentaries that have aired on such TV programs as the Travel Channel. This fantastic, compelling account tells the story of what a young Irishman can do when let loose on these continents.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2006

About the author

Manchán Magan was a writer, traveller and television presenter. He grew up in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 and was the great-grandnephew of Mícheál Seosamh Ó Rathaille (aka: The O'Rahilly) He has made over 30 travel documentaries focusing on issues of world culture and globalization, 12 of them packaged under the Global Nomad series with his brother Ruán Magan. He presented No Béarla, a documentary series about traveling around Ireland speaking only Irish. He wrote a travel column for the Irish Times and his show The Big Adventure, on RTÉ Radio One explored adventure holidays. He has written two books in Irish, 'Baba-ji agus TnaG' (Coiscéim 2005) and 'Manchán ar Seachrán' (Coiscéím 1998), and his English travel books include ‘Angels & Rabies: a journey through the Americas’ (Brandon, 2006), ‘Manchán’s Travels: a journey through India’ (Brandon, 2007) and ‘Truck Fever: a journey through Africa’ (Brandon, 2008).



http://irishmedia.blogspot.com/2007/1...

Irish Times profile, 2007 by Róisín Ingle.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still dying to know who the real "Eve" is/was. Magan provides, around the time of the Lewinsky-Clinton media uproar, a look at how his own brush with Hollywood once-removed (at least) leaves traces within his mind and on his heart. He indulges in imagination for the conclusion, but overall, his journeys into the Andes, and then Cascadia (with a bit in L.A.) serve as the subtitle of a memoir-travelogue-of his wanderings. That is key: he moves it seems as the spirit (Rabbit) moves him within.

[Anthony Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon reflection, the author has written a quintessential 90s story of a 20 something male on a journey of self discovery. Whilst this journey touches on the tragic aspect of living abroad ( war, disease, unclear waste) it does have great characters and he does show self development in alot of interactions. He really explores the underbelly of the countries he lived in and I think it must have been a blast doing so. At various stages of the book I asked myself if the book is a stream of consciousness, the author revealing his inner chat ( Rabbit)
IMO Eve is Claire Danes but hey who knows?
The ending was hard to figure out, I guess the reference to Rabbit held explain it.

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed manchan's story telling in this. This is a very good travelogue, more about interactions with people than the scenery.

[Dylan Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic insights into the youthful adventures of Ireland’s leading mystic