The Way of Wanderlust: The Best Travel Writing of Don George

by Don George, Pico Iyer (Foreword)

As a professional travel writer and editor for the past 40 years, Don George has been paid to explore the world. Through the decades, his articles have been published in magazines, newspapers, and websites around the globe and have won more awards than almost any other travel writer alive, yet his pieces have never been collected into one volume. The Way of The Best Travel Writing of Don George fills this void with a moving and inspiring collection of tales and reflections from one of America's most acclaimed and beloved travel writers.

From his high-spirited account of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on a whim when he was 22 years old to his heart-plucking description of a home-stay in a muddy compound in Cambodia as a 61-year-old, this collection ranges widely. As renowned for his insightful observations as for his poetic prose, George always absorbs the essence of the places he's visiting.

Other stories here include a moving encounter with Australia's sacred red rock monolith, Uluru; an immersion in country kindness on the Japanese island of Shikoku; the trials and triumphs of ascending Yosemite's Half Dome with his wife and children; and a magical morning at Machu Picchu.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Essays, Short Stories, Memoir

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2015

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discovered this book by a friend from Princeton when it was given to my father in law for his birthday. It's a victory lap collection of the best articles by a successful travel writer retracing his long career of writing. Wonderful collection of insights into many different parts of the world. Not an adventure travel book since most of his trips seem to be pre-arranged with tours or guides. Many different and wonderful descriptions of places and people he's met, and his growth as a writer and person.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don George’s very personal travel memoir is about connections with other humans and a few very large creatures. At Notre Dame he feels connected to the past and all those that have walked through that portal to Christianity. In Cambodia, he spends three nights in the home of a family and is moved to tears by the simplicity of the way they share life’s chores and joys in modesty. In the Sea of Cortez he communes with a whale. His writing is poetic broaching lyrical and is very moving. He raises the bar for travel writers. We are not to simply take our readers to a place through their senses in good writing we are supposed to deliver the meaning of life in subtext. I believe the dance is all there is, so I am determined to get to the Cook Islands where Don connected with the shimmying hips of natives in the balmy, palmy breezes. In fact, I have been so stirred by his descriptions of his experience there that I must go soon! It is no longer some musing in a distant future. Don’s writing has made me want to be there, to know the tranquil beauty of the horseshoe shaped lagoon and the laughing eyes of the Island people. In short to be more connected with the rhythms of life. Thank you Don, for this wonderful collection of your finest travel hours.Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody can travel but not everybody can travel with such sensitivity and deep reflection like Don George. This book instilled such an immense sense of wanderlust that, after completing the book, I felt like a passerby sitting on my own couch. Each and every story within are simply inspiring and beautiful. This book made me feel like there will never be enough steps to take, never enough years in my lifetime to explore the world in its entirety. Every turn breeds new possibilities, new experiences. Thank you, Don George, for showing me how small we all are in this vast ecosystem called Earth yet possess immeasurable potential to make a difference.

[Kindra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! The essays were written in very convenient lengths, making it an easy book to pick up for a few minutes and come back to even a few days later.
Having recently returned from a brief period of overseas wanderlusting with my husband, I found many of the articles to be particularly poignant, nostalgic, and overall very reminiscent of my own experiences-which, of course, made me enjoy it all the more.
One thing I really loved about the writing, is that I really did feel like I was there with him. In every place, in every experience, if I merely closed my eyes, I could see the landscape. I could hear the people, smell the spices. In many ways, it captured the heart of what traveling meant, and still means, to me, and I've never read anything that did that before.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in different cultures, travel, historical or recent war related events, or just someone looking for a light, inspiring, alternative kind of devotional read, as you can easily read one short essay per day and have the story/experience/take away message tag along with you through your day.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Don George's writing ever since he was at the San Francisco Examiner. The way he writes have the ability to move me and make me want to travel to wherever he is describing.

[Eesha Bansal · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's nothing more you need than this book to delve into the magic of Don George's experiences through his brilliant writing: It takes you around the world.

[kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and quaint curated collection of travel stories. Don George has a very positive and genuine outlook on the world and as a reader you can't help but get caught up in his way of thinking, although it does get quite repetitive. He visits the usual places one visits in a travel anthology, and he generally has the hoped for experiences and revelations, but it felt almost fake, too sticky sweet, too much of a perfect travel "experience" for my liking. Give me a bit more grit and grime and sadness and anger and frustration - you know, the stuff that really happens when you travel. Sometimes travel can suck, and doesn't need a deeper realization about the world to put it into perspective or whatever. I may be in the minority in this thinking, but my preferred travel narrative requires more struggle to be enjoyable. It is also worth noting that I read this book during the Covid -19 lockdown, so I may be a bit bitter and stir crazy from not being allowed outside. I did however, really enjoy the quick intro paragraphs that set the stage for the forthcoming stories - they provide amazing context and focus for the reader and feel more travel anthologies should adopt a similar format.

[AKH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scene: March 2020. Cornoavirus has become a pandemic. I was supposed to vacation this month, but then, due to Coronavirus, not one but two of my attempts to vacation were cancelled. While I am grateful to be safe, I am quarantined inside my home and found myself craving an adventure - so I turned to this book.

I had the honor of traveling with Don through Japan, and hearing him read his writings aloud. I would always recommend having him read his writing to you, as it brings so much more to the piece than the written word.

I preferred the stories where Don wove in personal narrative more than the stories focused on historical facts. I particularly enjoyed the following passage:

“It is easy for us as travelers to take from the world. We go somewhere and we eat feasts, visit monuments and museums, snap pictures, meet people. Over and over, we replenish ourselves. The challenge, often, is to figure out how to give back to the places that nourish us.”

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

Write by the numbers, with an overwhelming emphasis on "I." A lot of woo-woo superficial spirituality. Flat (see my first comment) and uninteresting.
This is a book for travelers, often those with effing bucket-lists, not for wanderers. People with no commitment to reducing climate change, focused on their hideously expensive entertainment. I only read six episodes and gave up in boredom and disgust.
I am reminded why, in the early 1970's when I traveled and lived in Asia, I avoided Lonely Planet and it's acolytes like the plague. Any one of the dozens of stories I tell my friends is more curious, unusual, interesting and informative of the ways of the world than all this stuff put-together.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sort of finished...this is a compilation of Don George's essays and I felt it became repetitious after a while. About half-way through I began to selectively read chapters about areas I've been to or would like to visit. The information itself doesn't repeat but his reactions to experiences/sunsets/encounters on his journeys does begin to feel too familiar (lots of joyful tears). That said, his writing does put you in the destination and often triggers an "I want to be there, too!" reaction. I'd recommend picking this up to read occasionally as opposed to reading it through as your current book.

[mrcreativity28 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of travel, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

Don George is world renowned for his travel writing, the places hes traveled to provide a deep emotional connection, which is urged by any traveller.

Don meets an abundance of great people during his journey and his experiences remind us that travel is not just a right it's a privilege.

Don's humble means of travel assisted in taking home a great memory forever enriched within him.

If you love travel and love finding a place that connects with you, read this book. Don will inspire you to become a Wanderlust!

[Amy Morfas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Probably like most who read this book, the stories of certain areas really resonated with me, while others failed to interest me much at all. But that's also the beauty of travel - if we all wanted to go to the exact same places, it would take away some of the magic.

I found I enjoyed this book more if I read a few essays, them went to something else and then came back to it. Otherwise it got a little repetitive.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent collection of travel writing from across all of Don George's esteemed career. What stands out most is his breadth of vocabulary & notes on every little part of his fascinating experiences. These details help transport the reader to each place.

While the focus of this book is on Don's stories, he also inspires travelers, especially travel writers, through his advice. I know I will be considering his remarkable attention to detail in my notes & future writing.

[Hiền · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me almost 10 years to finish the book because i had so much difficulty following what was written. Always deep reflection but to be honest ...too much, too fake...
Travelling is profonding but at the same time shouldnt be light and simple. I am pretty sure many would disagree with my note to this book since he is such a successful traveler writer. It's possible that i dont fully understand many of his word choices since I am not native english speaker. Hence the 2 stars...

[Angela Crampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of essays

Some short and some long, it was a good collection of stories with context behind them. He puts the reader next to him as he travels to gain a sense of the scene and experience.

[Sanaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only negative thing about this book is that it makes you want to travel... which is torture if you cannot! :) I recommend reading this book to anyone who enjoys travelling and like a change in perspective.

[Kathy Condon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elegant Descriptions Kept Me Captivated


The author is a master at making you feel like you are on the journey with him.

I learned about so many usual places and in-depth scenes made me "see" a country.

[Alan James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely well written. Author captures your interest in the location(s) as well as your heart and soul. Introduces several never considered destinations. A series is short stories that make daily reading a breeze. Highly recommend.

[Fran Cormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars from me, purely due to the inspiration Don George provides, through his writing, to an aspiring travel writer.

[sanjay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writer is so full of his own bullshit.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my choice genre to read so found it not so easy to read. But it did add to my bucket list.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up in a little library and treasured reading these little essays on cold winter evenings.

[Candace Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of travel accounts/memoirs by Don George. I enjoyed his write and perspective as well as the format of not being just one trip or one period in time but a variety of travel experiences throughout the decades

[Amandylynnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember feeling like i was there in the pages. Great read.