The Clock and the Compass: A Manual for Living When You’re Tired of the Machine

by Pete No R

What if you could hear the truth—the real, unfiltered, laugh-out-loud and occasionally gut-punching truth—from a guy who ditched the grind, chased chaos, and actually lived to tell about it?



Meet Pete No retired firefighter, ex-paramedic, full-time traveler, dive instructor, boat captain, and reformed people-pleaser with a passport full of stamps and a mind full of stories. The Clock and the Compass isn’t your average travel memoir. It’s a brutally honest, darkly funny, and sometimes uncomfortably real look at what happens when you stop chasing the American Dream—and start chasing something else entirely.



From getting a full-body shave in a cat-lady’s kitchen, to almost shitting himself in mid-air thanks to 90s diet science, to walking the chaotic streets of Bangkok with a drink in one hand and a moral contradiction in the other—this book is part travelogue, part therapy session, part “what-the-hell-am-I-doing-with-my-life?” manifesto.



But beneath the laughs, there’s

🧭 That life is short.

⏰ That most people live like they’ve got unlimited time.

🔥 And that real freedom isn’t found in a job title—it’s found in risk, discomfort, and showing up as your honest self.



What readers can

• No fluff, no filters—just raw stories and sharp perspective

• Hilarious (and sometimes cringeworthy) misadventures from Vietnam, Thailand, the U.S., and beyond

• Deep reflections on aging, masculinity, mortality, and meaning

• A reality check wrapped in sarcasm, storytelling, and secondhand smoke



Perfect for fans

• Anthony Bourdain

• Bill Bryson

• David Sedaris

• Or anyone who’s ever “There’s got to be more than this.”



Whether you’re standing in line at TSA, halfway through a midlife crisis, or just looking for a book that doesn’t lie to you—this one’s for you.



This isn’t just a funny travel memoir—it’s a nonfiction gut punch with a grin. A book about what happens when you walk away from safety, comfort, and expectations—and find out who you really are along the way. Read it if you’re ready to stop pretending and start paying attention.

Genres: Adventure

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting read. the author shares his unabashed musings, and the straight forward unembellished account of his post-retirement travels. he leaves the reader with theses words: “Because in the end, it won’t matter what you worried about. It’ll matter that you didn’t waste your time worrying at all.“

[Rick Farlee · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Honestly, some of these stories are just hilarious… Unfortunately, the downside of this book is that the language is very abrasive, which is so unnecessary, and that’s why the overall rating is only a 3.5… (That’s too bad, because it’s doubtful that I will read anything else from this author due to the limited language skills.)

[Carlos Pereyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wise words

This is a very easy book to read. Filled with funny stories and words of wisdom. It’s good to be reminded to live life on your own terms even if it’s a little uncomfortable.
Thanks Pete!