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Far and Near: On Days Like These
Whether navigating the backroads of Louisiana or Thuringia, exploring the snowy Quebec woods, or performing onstage at Rush concerts, Neil Peart has stories to tell. His first volume in this series, Far and Away, combined words and images to form an intimate, insightful narrative that won many readers.
Now Far and Near brings together reflections from another three years of an artist’s life as he celebrates seasons, landscapes, and characters, travels roads and trails, receives honors, climbs mountains, composes and performs music. With passionate insight, wry humor, and an adventurous spirit, once again Peart offers a collection of open letters that take readers on the road, behind the scenes, and into the inner workings of an ever-inquisitive mind.
These popular stories, originally posted on Peart’s website, are now collected and contextualized with a new introduction and conclusion in this beautifully designed collector’s volume.
Now Far and Near brings together reflections from another three years of an artist’s life as he celebrates seasons, landscapes, and characters, travels roads and trails, receives honors, climbs mountains, composes and performs music. With passionate insight, wry humor, and an adventurous spirit, once again Peart offers a collection of open letters that take readers on the road, behind the scenes, and into the inner workings of an ever-inquisitive mind.
These popular stories, originally posted on Peart’s website, are now collected and contextualized with a new introduction and conclusion in this beautifully designed collector’s volume.
405 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
49 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Neil Peart
91 books519 followersNeil Peart (pronounced /ˈpɪərt/) OC, (born Neil Ellwood Peart) was a Canadian musician and author. He is best-known as the drummer and lyricist for the rock band Rush.
Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada (now part of St. Catharines) working the occasional odd job. However, his true ambition was to become a professional musician. During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band and dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a full-time drummer. After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music, Peart returned home, where he joined local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974.
Early in his career, Peart's performance style was deeply rooted in hard rock. He drew most of his inspiration from drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, players who were at the forefront of the British hard rock scene. As time progressed, however, he began to emulate the jazz and big band musicians Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Peart is also a pupil of jazz instructor Freddie Gruber. Peart has received many awards for his musical performances and is known for his technical proficiency and stamina.
In addition to being a musician, Peart was also a prolific writer, having published several memoirs about his travels. Peart was also Rush's primary lyricist. In writing lyrics for Rush, Peart addressed universal themes and diverse subject matter including science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, as well as secular, humanitarian and libertarian themes. In contrast, his books have been focused on his personal experiences.
Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario, Canada (now part of St. Catharines) working the occasional odd job. However, his true ambition was to become a professional musician. During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band and dropped out of high school to pursue a career as a full-time drummer. After a discouraging stint in England to concentrate on his music, Peart returned home, where he joined local Toronto band Rush in the summer of 1974.
Early in his career, Peart's performance style was deeply rooted in hard rock. He drew most of his inspiration from drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, players who were at the forefront of the British hard rock scene. As time progressed, however, he began to emulate the jazz and big band musicians Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Peart is also a pupil of jazz instructor Freddie Gruber. Peart has received many awards for his musical performances and is known for his technical proficiency and stamina.
In addition to being a musician, Peart was also a prolific writer, having published several memoirs about his travels. Peart was also Rush's primary lyricist. In writing lyrics for Rush, Peart addressed universal themes and diverse subject matter including science fiction, fantasy, and philosophy, as well as secular, humanitarian and libertarian themes. In contrast, his books have been focused on his personal experiences.
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August 24, 2016
Reviewed for Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
December 29, 2014
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher, ECW Press. For this and more reviews please visit my website: www.thebookbindersdaughter.com
In the intro to his work, Neil Peart makes it a point to discuss the art of writing and the special attention he gives to his craft. Although the writings which are contained in this book first appeared as a series of pieces on his blog, Neil puts quite a bit of effort in perfecting this collection for his audience. He sites the Roman poet Ovid: “If the art is concealed, it succeeds.” The passage to which Neil refers is actually from Ovid’s story about the artist Pygmalion from his epic poem The Metmorphoses.
Pygmalion cannot find the perfect woman, who is chaste and wholesome and faithful and matches his ideal of what a perfect woman should be. So as an artist and sculptor he decides to make his own “woman.” As he is working with the ivory, the figure of a woman he sculpts is so flawless that one would think she is alive. The brilliance of Pygmalion’s art hides the fact that his sculpture is indeed art and not actually alive.
Like Pygmalion, Neil strives to perfect his art, whether it be drumming or writing, so that all the listener or reader sees is the seamless, finished product. Far and Near is first and foremost a travelogue of Neil Peart’s trips on his motorcycle from venue to venue while he is on tour with his band. His narratives take place over a three year period of time, on the second leg of the band’s “Time Machine Tour” and on all three legs of the band’s “Clockwork Angel’s Tour.” When the book opens, Neil is on the road in April with his longtime friend and riding partner, Michael. I have lived on the east coast of the United States all my life but Neil’s detailed description of springtime in this part of the country, as different flowers are resurrected and animals start to peak out of their winter hibernation, makes me appreciate it all the more. The vivid depictions of every place he travels, whether it be in the extreme heat of the desert or perilous roads of the British countryside or the brutal cold of a Canadian winter, makes one want to visit and experience these places for oneself. Isn’t this the true mark of a successful travel memoir?
Far and Near is so much more than a travelogue. It is also a book of wonderful photography, a brief history of many small towns in North American and Europe and a history of the flora and fauna of those places as well. The book further serves as a personal memoir of the author as he reminisces about previous experience at each place he visits. Not only are pictures of the various touring destinations included in the book, but there are also descriptions of the photographic techniques that are employed for different situations.
A point is made to capture many of the small towns where these “shunpikers” (those who purposely avoid the most direct roads from one point to another) ride and oftentimes an interesting history is provided about these out-of-the-way places. As a classicist, I was particularly impressed that Neil gives a bit of the history of Roman occupation of Britain as he is riding around the English countryside.
Finally, the book captures the life of a musician both on the road and off. The band’s triumphant introduction into the Rock-And-Roll Hall of Fame is related at length in one of the entries. Neil would not be “on the road” going from place to place, after all, if it were not for his job with a touring rock band. Although this is certainly not the sole focus of the book, the reader is led to understand what the emotional and physical effects of constant touring and months on the road can cause. The stories about his young daughter, Olivia, who doesn’t quite understand that “Daddy is at work” are particularly touching. It is also entertaining to read about the many other crew members that all contribute to making a successful show possible; from the drum technician, to Neil’s riding partners, to the bus driver, to the crew members who entertain the band by dressing up in a chicken suit, it truly takes a small village to put on a show every night. The sum of all these moving parts means that, once again, the art conceals the art.
Far and Near appeals to a very broad audience of readers; if you enjoy travel writing, memoirs, photography, or the music of Rush you will want to read this book. In the end, the gods grant Pygmalion his wish and they make his statue become a live woman. Neil Peart, through his book, makes the art of traveling, writing, playing music and his quest to live his life to the fullest come fully alive to his readers.
In the intro to his work, Neil Peart makes it a point to discuss the art of writing and the special attention he gives to his craft. Although the writings which are contained in this book first appeared as a series of pieces on his blog, Neil puts quite a bit of effort in perfecting this collection for his audience. He sites the Roman poet Ovid: “If the art is concealed, it succeeds.” The passage to which Neil refers is actually from Ovid’s story about the artist Pygmalion from his epic poem The Metmorphoses.
Pygmalion cannot find the perfect woman, who is chaste and wholesome and faithful and matches his ideal of what a perfect woman should be. So as an artist and sculptor he decides to make his own “woman.” As he is working with the ivory, the figure of a woman he sculpts is so flawless that one would think she is alive. The brilliance of Pygmalion’s art hides the fact that his sculpture is indeed art and not actually alive.
Like Pygmalion, Neil strives to perfect his art, whether it be drumming or writing, so that all the listener or reader sees is the seamless, finished product. Far and Near is first and foremost a travelogue of Neil Peart’s trips on his motorcycle from venue to venue while he is on tour with his band. His narratives take place over a three year period of time, on the second leg of the band’s “Time Machine Tour” and on all three legs of the band’s “Clockwork Angel’s Tour.” When the book opens, Neil is on the road in April with his longtime friend and riding partner, Michael. I have lived on the east coast of the United States all my life but Neil’s detailed description of springtime in this part of the country, as different flowers are resurrected and animals start to peak out of their winter hibernation, makes me appreciate it all the more. The vivid depictions of every place he travels, whether it be in the extreme heat of the desert or perilous roads of the British countryside or the brutal cold of a Canadian winter, makes one want to visit and experience these places for oneself. Isn’t this the true mark of a successful travel memoir?
Far and Near is so much more than a travelogue. It is also a book of wonderful photography, a brief history of many small towns in North American and Europe and a history of the flora and fauna of those places as well. The book further serves as a personal memoir of the author as he reminisces about previous experience at each place he visits. Not only are pictures of the various touring destinations included in the book, but there are also descriptions of the photographic techniques that are employed for different situations.
A point is made to capture many of the small towns where these “shunpikers” (those who purposely avoid the most direct roads from one point to another) ride and oftentimes an interesting history is provided about these out-of-the-way places. As a classicist, I was particularly impressed that Neil gives a bit of the history of Roman occupation of Britain as he is riding around the English countryside.
Finally, the book captures the life of a musician both on the road and off. The band’s triumphant introduction into the Rock-And-Roll Hall of Fame is related at length in one of the entries. Neil would not be “on the road” going from place to place, after all, if it were not for his job with a touring rock band. Although this is certainly not the sole focus of the book, the reader is led to understand what the emotional and physical effects of constant touring and months on the road can cause. The stories about his young daughter, Olivia, who doesn’t quite understand that “Daddy is at work” are particularly touching. It is also entertaining to read about the many other crew members that all contribute to making a successful show possible; from the drum technician, to Neil’s riding partners, to the bus driver, to the crew members who entertain the band by dressing up in a chicken suit, it truly takes a small village to put on a show every night. The sum of all these moving parts means that, once again, the art conceals the art.
Far and Near appeals to a very broad audience of readers; if you enjoy travel writing, memoirs, photography, or the music of Rush you will want to read this book. In the end, the gods grant Pygmalion his wish and they make his statue become a live woman. Neil Peart, through his book, makes the art of traveling, writing, playing music and his quest to live his life to the fullest come fully alive to his readers.
February 3, 2023
I just finished this and, if I want to be fair to the book, I should likely take a day to process it, before trying to write about it.
But on the other hand, I want to get some thoughts down while they're fresh.
It's funny, that every time another Peart book comes up in my to-be-read pile, I think, Do I really want to read about a guy riding around various countries on a motorcycle? And the answer is, inevitably, no, I don't.
Luckily, Peart obliges. Yes, there are a lot of passages about a guy riding around various countries on a motorcycle. But it's all the stuff in between...his discourses on the sadness of corporations slowly weed-choking a simpler way of life, the beauty of not just the sights, but the people, the memories, the friendships, and the revelations he experiences as he moves from here to there, and most appreciated for me, the glimpses into Neil Peart the man, not the drummer...it's all this that make each one of these books a treasure.
Peart, in his wide-ranging rambles shows us so much...
His two personalities, Bubba and the Professor. The knee-jerk reacting, foul-mouthed, stereotypical guy, and the more measured, intelligent, logical, think-things-out-first polymath who is always searching to better himself.
The famous rock musician who is completely uncomfortable with his celebrity status, and appreciates his meetings with people who either don't recognize him at all, or who recognize him but ignore the celebrity aspect. From the books, I get a sense that he just wants the opportunity to talk to others on a personal level, and not just be that rock god that bangs on things with sticks.
The doting father and husband who must leave behind his family for "the job" but misses them dearly while he's away, while also reveling in these experiences he could never have while at their side. His passages of his time with his new daughter are especially endearing. The man who loves his family, while also knowing better than most of us that they can be taken away far too suddenly.
The friend who makes as much effort as he can to keep his friends close, in a profession where everyone wants something from you constantly.
The bandmate that loves his "co-workers" while also having to necessarily distance himself for his own sanity and happiness.
There's just so much to these books, I question whether any review—much less my scrambled ramblings—can do them justice.
But, for me, these are required reading, written by a fellow Canadian who I believe was one of the greatest thinkers of our generation. He also happened to bang things with sticks better than most, too.
But on the other hand, I want to get some thoughts down while they're fresh.
It's funny, that every time another Peart book comes up in my to-be-read pile, I think, Do I really want to read about a guy riding around various countries on a motorcycle? And the answer is, inevitably, no, I don't.
Luckily, Peart obliges. Yes, there are a lot of passages about a guy riding around various countries on a motorcycle. But it's all the stuff in between...his discourses on the sadness of corporations slowly weed-choking a simpler way of life, the beauty of not just the sights, but the people, the memories, the friendships, and the revelations he experiences as he moves from here to there, and most appreciated for me, the glimpses into Neil Peart the man, not the drummer...it's all this that make each one of these books a treasure.
Peart, in his wide-ranging rambles shows us so much...
His two personalities, Bubba and the Professor. The knee-jerk reacting, foul-mouthed, stereotypical guy, and the more measured, intelligent, logical, think-things-out-first polymath who is always searching to better himself.
The famous rock musician who is completely uncomfortable with his celebrity status, and appreciates his meetings with people who either don't recognize him at all, or who recognize him but ignore the celebrity aspect. From the books, I get a sense that he just wants the opportunity to talk to others on a personal level, and not just be that rock god that bangs on things with sticks.
The doting father and husband who must leave behind his family for "the job" but misses them dearly while he's away, while also reveling in these experiences he could never have while at their side. His passages of his time with his new daughter are especially endearing. The man who loves his family, while also knowing better than most of us that they can be taken away far too suddenly.
The friend who makes as much effort as he can to keep his friends close, in a profession where everyone wants something from you constantly.
The bandmate that loves his "co-workers" while also having to necessarily distance himself for his own sanity and happiness.
There's just so much to these books, I question whether any review—much less my scrambled ramblings—can do them justice.
But, for me, these are required reading, written by a fellow Canadian who I believe was one of the greatest thinkers of our generation. He also happened to bang things with sticks better than most, too.
February 18, 2020
My tradition of reading books by authors I like as an homage after their death continues. Far and Near is primarily a travelog of Rush drummer and lyricist’s travels through the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom via motorcycle. Peart’s writing is beautiful, witty, and informative. I found his internal monologue between “bubba” and “the professor” incredibly relatable. Inspiring me to go on a “shunpiking” road trip when finances will permit it.
October 30, 2014
I enjoyed this much more than Roadshow and love the author's drive to explore the National Park System as often as possible.
January 29, 2024
So thorough
So sad he’s gone. So glad he put these words and photos down to share. Pass it on. Go to these places. Remember him in words, music, and deed.
So sad he’s gone. So glad he put these words and photos down to share. Pass it on. Go to these places. Remember him in words, music, and deed.
February 26, 2026
This was the last of Neil Peart’s books I had left to read. RIP Professor
February 24, 2026
I’m continuing to love this series as it chronicles Neil Peart journeys and adventures. I find the more I read his work, the more I relate and find similarities between his perspective and my own. In a world that is both huge and a hit much at times, there is so much beauty in the small things. I have also learned a lot from his writings and look forward to the next book in the series.
November 20, 2014
After 40 years as a member of the rock group Rush, Neil Peart is starting to become known as more than just a drummer. He's an author too. Five books will do that.
Peart has written a few books about his travels over the years. He's back with a new one, "Far and Near" which is a worthy entry to his collection.
The tours that come with being in a major rock band can lose their glamor pretty quickly. The arenas, planes and hotels must start to look alike after a while. Make the circuit a few times, and as Jackson Browne once famously sang, and the only time that seems too short is the time that you get to play.
Peart has the means and energy to avoid that problem. He carries a motorcycle with him with the rest of the equipment. The band usually plays ever other day or every third day. After a show, Peart sleeps on a bus, gets up the next morning, hopes on his cycle (and is joined by a friend or two), and goes exploring. He'll find a place to stay, and then drive to the next venue. It sounds like a great way to see the world, as long as it doesn't rain.
In the last couple of tours, Peart wrote monthly essays about his trips and posted them on a website. Then they were converted into books. Note: If you've already read the essays on-line, there's no need to do it again.
Still, Peart is very curious about the lands he visits, taking careful notes and presenting thoughtful offerings about them. He avoids the Interstates when possible, loves national parks, and might cover a few hundred miles per day. I've been to a few of the places mentioned, and he's right on target with his descriptions. He also has created curiosity in me in others.
The essays also include some other areas, sometimes in the form of tangents. Peart is that rare drummer who writes the words to the band's songs. There are stories about lyrics that will be interesting to Rush's many fans. Also covered is life on the road - communicating with family and friends, dealing with life's issues, etc.
At this point, Peart has developed a reliable literary "voice" that's gotten a bit smoother over the years. After reading the other books, return to his work is like catching up with an old friend - even if the thought of befriending thousands of people on the road might be downright scary to Peart, who rarely identifies himself to others on these trips.
"Far and Near" might not work for every taste, but you don't have to be a Rush fan to like these essays. All's that needed is a sense of appreciation of an open road.
Peart has written a few books about his travels over the years. He's back with a new one, "Far and Near" which is a worthy entry to his collection.
The tours that come with being in a major rock band can lose their glamor pretty quickly. The arenas, planes and hotels must start to look alike after a while. Make the circuit a few times, and as Jackson Browne once famously sang, and the only time that seems too short is the time that you get to play.
Peart has the means and energy to avoid that problem. He carries a motorcycle with him with the rest of the equipment. The band usually plays ever other day or every third day. After a show, Peart sleeps on a bus, gets up the next morning, hopes on his cycle (and is joined by a friend or two), and goes exploring. He'll find a place to stay, and then drive to the next venue. It sounds like a great way to see the world, as long as it doesn't rain.
In the last couple of tours, Peart wrote monthly essays about his trips and posted them on a website. Then they were converted into books. Note: If you've already read the essays on-line, there's no need to do it again.
Still, Peart is very curious about the lands he visits, taking careful notes and presenting thoughtful offerings about them. He avoids the Interstates when possible, loves national parks, and might cover a few hundred miles per day. I've been to a few of the places mentioned, and he's right on target with his descriptions. He also has created curiosity in me in others.
The essays also include some other areas, sometimes in the form of tangents. Peart is that rare drummer who writes the words to the band's songs. There are stories about lyrics that will be interesting to Rush's many fans. Also covered is life on the road - communicating with family and friends, dealing with life's issues, etc.
At this point, Peart has developed a reliable literary "voice" that's gotten a bit smoother over the years. After reading the other books, return to his work is like catching up with an old friend - even if the thought of befriending thousands of people on the road might be downright scary to Peart, who rarely identifies himself to others on these trips.
"Far and Near" might not work for every taste, but you don't have to be a Rush fan to like these essays. All's that needed is a sense of appreciation of an open road.
December 10, 2015
Peart's writing and musings and observations and photos are a veritable potpourri of richness, textures and multiple-layers. He does an interesting job of calling some of those layers out in one of the chapters when he refers to two of the "personalities" that he finds himself playing out, "Bubba" and "The Professor."
I enjoyed the reflections, descriptions of the many friendships Peart has with so many people as well as the interesting tidbits of back-stories to some of the lyrics he has written over the years. It felt very much like I was sitting nearby and listening to him share stories of his hikes, his snow-shoe expeditions, his motorcycle adventures, his other main and off-road explorations, his perspective at a concert from behind the drum kit, and his life-long love with both music and with the written word (including those letters hand-written to friends, colleagues and loved ones) -- As I have with all of his other books, I will gladly join Peart on these travels and musings, finding myself becoming as introspective and "not looking back, but I want to look around me now" (if I'm allowed to call up one of his many beautiful lyrics to help describe the essence of falling into his a book like this.
This was a book that I enjoyed, quite slowly, over a long period of time, sipping at the way that one sips at a very fine scotch (such as, I'm sure Peart would agree, The Macallan). The beautiful hardcover sat at my bedside to be read through at the end of the day, and, when not at home, I read the eBook version on a large android tablet using the Kobo app.
I enjoyed the reflections, descriptions of the many friendships Peart has with so many people as well as the interesting tidbits of back-stories to some of the lyrics he has written over the years. It felt very much like I was sitting nearby and listening to him share stories of his hikes, his snow-shoe expeditions, his motorcycle adventures, his other main and off-road explorations, his perspective at a concert from behind the drum kit, and his life-long love with both music and with the written word (including those letters hand-written to friends, colleagues and loved ones) -- As I have with all of his other books, I will gladly join Peart on these travels and musings, finding myself becoming as introspective and "not looking back, but I want to look around me now" (if I'm allowed to call up one of his many beautiful lyrics to help describe the essence of falling into his a book like this.
This was a book that I enjoyed, quite slowly, over a long period of time, sipping at the way that one sips at a very fine scotch (such as, I'm sure Peart would agree, The Macallan). The beautiful hardcover sat at my bedside to be read through at the end of the day, and, when not at home, I read the eBook version on a large android tablet using the Kobo app.
December 22, 2014
I’m pretty sure that even if I wasn’t a Rush fan I would enjoy reading his books, be they fiction or travel, or even journals, as this is. What’s most interesting to me is that, even though I've already read all of these stories off his website—albeit with months in between each one—perusing them now, as chapters of a greater piece, made for a completely different experience. I’m reminded of something he said in one of his interviews, pertaining to music but also valid here: “What I want the listener (reader) to take away is that care has been taken here.” When I post a blog about one of my many trips I prefer to let it live as a stream of consciousness, straight from my memory to the page or computer screen. Not so with him; it is obvious care has been taken here. I’m particularly enamored for his reason for journaling, as he writes in the outro (which was never posted on his website): “When reviewing the stories to prepare this book, many times I came across a passage of description, action, or conversation, and thought, ‘I would have never remembered that.’ Sobering to reflect that if a time and place do not exist in memory or in art, they might as well have never happened.” Exactly.
4.5/5
4.5/5
January 7, 2015
A collection of Neil's writings from his website. Dated from February 2011 to April 2014. I had already read each 'blog', if you will, but purchased the book anyway. Must support one of my favorite authors! Great collection of 3 years of his life. Travel tales from all over the world, by himself, and with his band Rush.
April 16, 2018
I liked this one. Peart finds such a good combination of travel and music and life in a band. Also - he has a very understanding wife to let him run amok like he does.
December 9, 2021
This world is so much lesser because he is no longer here.
March 13, 2024
Enjoyed Neil’s writing and observations. Sad he is gone now. I can only dream to travel 1/2 the routes.
October 26, 2024
I miss him and "the guys at work". What an incredible man and band.
July 15, 2020
Neil Peart needs no introduction and neither does his lengthy index of writings. Far and Near is a continuation of Peart's writings while traveling between Rush's shows. Far and Near seems to concentrate more on Peart's viewpoints on happiness, the irrationality and danger that religion poses, and the importance of perseverance.
If one takes the time to read Peart's travel books a theme seems to makes itself evidence. That of not taking the path of least resistance and his ongoing dislike of being in the public eye and performing. Far and Near delves into these two themes and their importance to Peart's life. First, while Peart was the extremely talented and extremely famous drummer of Rush, he was also a human being, frail and imperfect. To read his books this is important to keep in mind.
It seems that his fame and the expectations of his fans kept some happiness from Peart, which comes out in his writings. His continual search for that elusive peace is peppered with unconscious complaints that only someone like Peart could have had. There seems to be an underlying current in Far and Near of his needs not being met, and of the general malaise of society. He was correct, of course, but coming from one with his stature and opportunity, it comes across as a bit arrogant at times. Peart was incredibly famous and incredibly good at what he did, and in reading his musings, I think that the man is due some forgiveness for being human.
Reading Peart's travel books is also a reminder of the role of religion, especially in the south and southeast parts of the United States. Since Peart considered himself a "shunpiker" this theme raises its malicious head many times, which is clear to anyone who has motorcycled though the USA and taken time to get off the interstates. To the rational people in this country, religion continues to be a thorn in the side of progressive, as it was to Peart. This viewpoint peppers Peart's writings more than usual in this collection. Funny and sad at the same time.
Melancholy seems to sum up this book best. Towards the end, Peart writes "When I was young, caught up in the solipsistic angst and insecurities of my teens and twenties, I truly believed life must get easier as you got older.. Surely it must smooth out into some kind of plane, or groove, or even rut. but of course I learned the opposite is true-the longer you last, life will just break your heart again and again." (357)
RIP Neil Peart.
If one takes the time to read Peart's travel books a theme seems to makes itself evidence. That of not taking the path of least resistance and his ongoing dislike of being in the public eye and performing. Far and Near delves into these two themes and their importance to Peart's life. First, while Peart was the extremely talented and extremely famous drummer of Rush, he was also a human being, frail and imperfect. To read his books this is important to keep in mind.
It seems that his fame and the expectations of his fans kept some happiness from Peart, which comes out in his writings. His continual search for that elusive peace is peppered with unconscious complaints that only someone like Peart could have had. There seems to be an underlying current in Far and Near of his needs not being met, and of the general malaise of society. He was correct, of course, but coming from one with his stature and opportunity, it comes across as a bit arrogant at times. Peart was incredibly famous and incredibly good at what he did, and in reading his musings, I think that the man is due some forgiveness for being human.
Reading Peart's travel books is also a reminder of the role of religion, especially in the south and southeast parts of the United States. Since Peart considered himself a "shunpiker" this theme raises its malicious head many times, which is clear to anyone who has motorcycled though the USA and taken time to get off the interstates. To the rational people in this country, religion continues to be a thorn in the side of progressive, as it was to Peart. This viewpoint peppers Peart's writings more than usual in this collection. Funny and sad at the same time.
Melancholy seems to sum up this book best. Towards the end, Peart writes "When I was young, caught up in the solipsistic angst and insecurities of my teens and twenties, I truly believed life must get easier as you got older.. Surely it must smooth out into some kind of plane, or groove, or even rut. but of course I learned the opposite is true-the longer you last, life will just break your heart again and again." (357)
RIP Neil Peart.
July 25, 2020
I had a bit of a revelation while I was reading this book. While I have a huge respect for Neil Peart as a drummer, and even for his obvious intelligence and his thoughtfulness, I don't think I like him very much. Let me explain. There's a certain type of person who is capable of finding a dark lining around every silver cloud, to use a phrase he did in this book. Neil is one of them. Regardless of where he starts a story, and some of them are remarkably positive, he always finds along the way the parts that were ugly, difficult, or that just pissed him off. He then tends to bitch and moan about them at length. He then comes back to tell you why it was great anyway and he's actually glad that things went the way they did. However, I don't buy it. Particularly bothersome are his persistent and, he claims, unavoidable rants about religion. Neil seems to be the particular breed of atheist that isn't satisfied just to know what he believes, but MUST belittle you if you should happen to be religious. His commentary is so vituperative that you have to wonder if he had to wipe the foam off of his mouth. Don't bang that drum so much, man...it's annoying. Well. I have more of Neil's books; I got them for next to nothing when he died. However, I'm no longer convinced that I care to read them.
February 11, 2021
Another great read by Neil Peart. I love his observations about the world around him on his travels. The only books of his I'd never read were his trilogy of stories he put together in three books. This being the second of the three. I never bothered to read these because some of these stories I'd read on his website. Otherwise, I've read all of this other books. I couldn't help being a little sad knowing that when he wrote these stories in 2013/2014, he be retiring from Rush in another year or two and would be dead in 6/7 years. I was especially moved by his stories of his daughter, knowing he wouldn't be around to see her grow into a teenager and woman. I highly recommend this book.
November 23, 2020
Read this off and on, my final book by Neil Peart to be read, so savouring it. Part travel book, part tour book, part life book, it provides a glimpse into Neils' life while he wanders the earth, sharing all things under the sun. All the more enjoyable since I was lucky enough to visit many of the places described. It has beautiful photos accompanying the different chapters making it a very worthwhile addition to the Far and ... books. Always informative, sometimes moving, sometimes funny he left his mark. I miss you Neil, it all has become a bit dimmer, a bit less fun, a bit poorer. I thoroughly enjoyed the writings of your travels. Highly recommended.
November 16, 2021
This is a follow up to Neil’s previous books. Neil seems to excel at describing his shun liking adventures between. Invert shows. What really makes this volume stand out is we the reader get a more untainted look at Neil interacting with his second daughter Olivia and see a side of Neil we don’t normally get to see. The major retraction for me in this volume is where Neil breaks down himself into two personalities and has the two personalities discuss things. I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone else; but will say that it was very reminiscent of Lenard Nimitz book “I am Spock” where Leonard wrote a discussion about topics between himself and the Spock character.
December 31, 2020
In 2020 with so much bad happening in the world AND the unexpected death of the author, this book hit the spot. It’s about happy times and happy places written by someone had surely had a way with words. I love travel and National Parks and enjoyed reading about the ones I’ve been to and the ones I’ve yet to visit. Tough to read some parts where he talks about watching his daughter grow up or mentioning places he likes to visit repeatedly and looks forward to his next trip there.
I have one last book of these to read. Sadly, there will be no more.
I have one last book of these to read. Sadly, there will be no more.
November 24, 2022
Neil Peart remains one of the finest writers of prose I have come across. This collection of stories from his personal and professional life are written with such great care and attention that you can't help but be inspired. As Neil himself says, it is obvious that care has been taken here; not just in the writing, but the layout, the fine paper, the print quality and general presentation have all been meticulously handled to present the reader with the best possible book in your hands. A fantastic read and wonderful gift to proudly display at home.
January 26, 2019
This particular travelogue/memoir/photo essay anthology of Peart's is not his best. It is more discursive than usual, and his sentences, digressions, and parentheticals can be prolix. However, it is often entertaining and informative. (I learned why his bandmates started calling him "The Professor", for instance. The answer would surprise most.) And, like his other tomes, it can educate any reader with its historical detail and sesquipedalian vocabulary.
October 29, 2021
Far and Near: On Days Like These was a great read by Neil Peart. Neil Peart has many stories to tell of the roads that he has travelled and his many performances. This book brings together Neil's reflections from another three years of his life. He celebrates seasons, landscapes, and characters. I loved reading this great reflections and can't wait to read more of Neil's work.
January 3, 2026
What can I say? I love to read Neil Peart’s travelogues. He had a gift for capturing the landscapes and circumstances he travelled through and describing the feelings they evoked in an honest and revealing way. There is curiosity, humor and compassion, and a profound appreciation for life in his stories.
February 25, 2018
One of the greatest drummers alive writes another great book. The book is filled with stories from Rush tours but also a guide to places you need to visit in the United States. He is a one man guide to national parks.
April 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was a look inside the life of a very interesting and supremely talented man. Very sad that he’s gone. FIVE stars. Highly recommend it. This is the third in the series - you should read the first two, it helps with the flow.
October 11, 2024
I loved the rock trio Rush and the songs created by the late genius Neil Peart. However, I just find his journals of motorcycle journeys not for me, dull and boring. Sorry, but after reading two-and-a-half of these journals I couldn't finish this one. But I guess it wasn't written for me
August 21, 2025
more musings from the Maestro - the longest of the three volumes and the one that feels the most interstitial, but still enjoyable and lovely to read about his interactions with family and friends alike (plus his reflections on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction).
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