We Will Be Free: Overlanding In Africa and Around South America

by Graeme Robert Bell, Luisa Bell (Photographer)

We Will Be Free chronicles the challenges faced by the Bell family as they extract themselves from the “real” world and set off to explore Africa and circumnavigate the South American continent in a Land Rover. Written with passion and from the heart, We Will Be Free is more than just another travel book, it is a modern manifesto, a declaration of independence and self sufficiency.
“From the title to the very last page of the book, I was intrigued and entertained! It is full of unabashedly honest and hilarious metaphors describing life on the road and what it's like to be a part of the "overlanding tribe."

Graeme makes you feel like you are a part of the travel adventure as he divulges his raw, poetic and amusing consciousness.

This book is both a salty and a tender work of art about a beautiful family. The Bell family, on paper and in real life, will inspire you to live life fully and in your own way.

Overland The Americas”.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Africa

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2015

About the author

Graeme Bell is a full time overlander and author. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but considers Cape Town home. He is currently travelling the planet with his wife Luisa and two children, Keelan and Jessica, in a Land Rover Defender 130 affectionately know as Mafuta

Reviews

[JoeytheBROfessor · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a genuine love for travel and family

I have much respect for Graeme and his family. This story takes it from day one where they make the decision to sell everything and begin a lifetime of travel. Despite hardships, constant breakdowns, crooked foreign relations and law enforcement and repairs to their beloved Land Rover, they always see the good in where they go and what they do. It’s encouraging to see families live this lifestyle and embrace the love of travel and experience over the traditional way of life.

[J. May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

After buying our first Land Rover, I searched out books written about them and found Graeme Bell. A great story told with compelling passion. a tale for everyone. I felt every bump and rut in the road.

[Jonathan Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proud to say Graeme is a mate from high school days. So pleased he has done something so amazing with his life and awesome family. I don't overland but can highly recommend his books as inspirational, humourous and very well written.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never has a book made me want to travel and bbq so badly.

[Ty Frith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this guy.. what a legend

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been interested / contemplating overlanding in my mind for a while. This is the first overlanding book I have read, and I believe it was the title that spoke to me first. In our crazy lives of luxury and self inflicted complexity, I have always felt it was possible and deep down known that a simpler more "real" way to exist was doable. It seems to me that "To be free" may mean something different to people from different classes, but on a human level is the same for all. A connection made with someone, a respect for another even if you dont like them. Rules and boundaries to follow which in turn give you that freedom. A combination of that respect and those boundaries ultimately guide you to a more enriched real connection with everyone you meet and the world around you. Even if it's not noticed and is lost on those who meet you in your travels, I believe it has left a mark. This book is a learning adventure, light hearted and fun. It gives me hope, and most of all, doesnt all my questions. In fact it gave me more questions, some of which I forgot while reading the next sentance and made me wish I had written them down. It was an easy read, and I hope I didn't "read" to far into it but the overlanding life sounds enticing for many different reasons. I look forward to the next book, and your family adventure.

[Demetzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was interesting and enjoyable but it mainly taught me that landrovers often break and they seemed to spend their trip fixing it!

[Nic D'Offay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazingly inspiring story of travel in it's purest form. Written from the heart and with a great sense of humor. Recommended read for any person whom the travel bug has bitten

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting family journey.

[Vern Henley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I applaud the message. Just not the messenger. But I will give credit where credit is due. This family went out in the world and did an amazing thing and, that’s more than most of us can say.