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Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon to Me!
35 concerts. 17,000 motorcycle miles. Three months. One lifetime. Now in paperback
In May 2015, the veteran Canadian rock trio Rush embarked on their 40th anniversary tour, R40. For the band and their fans, R40 was a celebration and, perhaps, a farewell. But for Neil Peart, each tour is more than just a string of concerts, it’s an opportunity to explore backroads near and far on his BMW motorcycle. So if this was to be the last tour and the last great adventure, he decided it would have to be the best one, onstage and off.
This third volume in Peart’s illustrated travel series shares all-new tales that transport the reader across North America and through memories of 50 years of playing drums. From the scenic grandeur of the American West to a peaceful lake in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains to the mean streets of Midtown Los Angeles, each story is shared in an intimate narrative voice that has won the hearts of many readers.
Richly illustrated, thoughtful, and ever-engaging, Far and Wide is an elegant scrapbook of people and places, music and laughter, from a fascinating road — and a remarkable life.
In May 2015, the veteran Canadian rock trio Rush embarked on their 40th anniversary tour, R40. For the band and their fans, R40 was a celebration and, perhaps, a farewell. But for Neil Peart, each tour is more than just a string of concerts, it’s an opportunity to explore backroads near and far on his BMW motorcycle. So if this was to be the last tour and the last great adventure, he decided it would have to be the best one, onstage and off.
This third volume in Peart’s illustrated travel series shares all-new tales that transport the reader across North America and through memories of 50 years of playing drums. From the scenic grandeur of the American West to a peaceful lake in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains to the mean streets of Midtown Los Angeles, each story is shared in an intimate narrative voice that has won the hearts of many readers.
Richly illustrated, thoughtful, and ever-engaging, Far and Wide is an elegant scrapbook of people and places, music and laughter, from a fascinating road — and a remarkable life.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 3, 2018
94 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Neil Peart
92 books513 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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September 10, 2016
My original plan was to do a lengthy essay about this book, encompassing what Rush means to me, Neil's magic in his writing and zen-like outlook on life, and why Rush's retirement matters to me.
But that sounds like work.
So I'll just say that I recommend every single on of Neil's books to everyone, especially non-Rush fans, and even more so for those who love travel books.
But that sounds like work.
So I'll just say that I recommend every single on of Neil's books to everyone, especially non-Rush fans, and even more so for those who love travel books.
February 23, 2020
We lost Neil Peart. Several days after the fact, I can think of very little to say about it except, "F--k."
Since the news broke, I've read many lovely tributes from fans and close friends, musicians and industry people. There's a sad consensus in all of the eulogies: Peart was a professional in every sense, not necessarily a person who chased fame but acknowledged that much of what he had came from it. Even that wasn't enough to stop death. Rush fans grudgingly accepted the band was done as far as records and tours, but that didn't mean the actual end. I had known there were hopes to see film adaptations of some of Neil's books. Ghost Rider had been optioned at one point, and members of a fan board had Tom Hanks cast in the lead. That was years ago, though. Colin Hanks would be a more logical pick now.
Neil was not as public as his bandmates, and that's okay. In life he slipped away from us after shows; a quick wave and off to the nearest exit to ride away while the rest of us stayed for the outro video. He kept it up until the very last day.
There's a passage in his last travelogue, Far and Wide, that talks a bit of other drummers to whom Peart is compared and listed among best of the best - Dennis Wilson, John Bonham, Keith Moon. Each suffered an untimely end due to different excesses, none of them making it to 40. Rush fans, having followed the exploits of "our boys" for decades, wouldn't expect any of them to meet a tragic fate of the rock and roll variety, but I think it's safe to say nobody expected cancer to fell our drummer.
At 67. Three years after retirement. In the brain. We call him The Professor for a reason, and for cancer to strike him there has quite a cruel edge to it. It f-----g sucks.
I've read most of Peart's books; not all are reviewed here. Some I've enjoyed, others I've critiqued. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be one of the Far series. I finished Far and Wide recently as part of a book group read, a spontaneous choice following Peart's death. It's an optimistic book, one that's almost painful to read given the context. Wide collects Peart's road essays covering the final tour, and is laced with wistful memories of roads already traveled and the revelation that he will enjoy the time spent with his young daughter more.
I said this f-----g sucks, right? It's not entirely clear how long after the tour Peart learned of his illness, but it's safe to say he spent what should have been his well-earned retirement fighting it. Wide appears to have been produced as a work of promise for a new journey, but I worry it may be looked on more as a bittersweet coda. Like when Charles Schulz died after drawing his last strip.
It also happens that my reading this coincides with my own father's declining health (he died two weeks after Neil). I was fortunate to have him around longer, but the loss is no less painful for me. A lot of memes circulating my social feeds implore us to not feel sad, but to smile for having breathed the same air as Rush, and having the music. I should feel the same way about my own dad, and perhaps the pain will lighten in time.
For young Olivia, too.
Since the news broke, I've read many lovely tributes from fans and close friends, musicians and industry people. There's a sad consensus in all of the eulogies: Peart was a professional in every sense, not necessarily a person who chased fame but acknowledged that much of what he had came from it. Even that wasn't enough to stop death. Rush fans grudgingly accepted the band was done as far as records and tours, but that didn't mean the actual end. I had known there were hopes to see film adaptations of some of Neil's books. Ghost Rider had been optioned at one point, and members of a fan board had Tom Hanks cast in the lead. That was years ago, though. Colin Hanks would be a more logical pick now.
Neil was not as public as his bandmates, and that's okay. In life he slipped away from us after shows; a quick wave and off to the nearest exit to ride away while the rest of us stayed for the outro video. He kept it up until the very last day.
There's a passage in his last travelogue, Far and Wide, that talks a bit of other drummers to whom Peart is compared and listed among best of the best - Dennis Wilson, John Bonham, Keith Moon. Each suffered an untimely end due to different excesses, none of them making it to 40. Rush fans, having followed the exploits of "our boys" for decades, wouldn't expect any of them to meet a tragic fate of the rock and roll variety, but I think it's safe to say nobody expected cancer to fell our drummer.
At 67. Three years after retirement. In the brain. We call him The Professor for a reason, and for cancer to strike him there has quite a cruel edge to it. It f-----g sucks.
I've read most of Peart's books; not all are reviewed here. Some I've enjoyed, others I've critiqued. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be one of the Far series. I finished Far and Wide recently as part of a book group read, a spontaneous choice following Peart's death. It's an optimistic book, one that's almost painful to read given the context. Wide collects Peart's road essays covering the final tour, and is laced with wistful memories of roads already traveled and the revelation that he will enjoy the time spent with his young daughter more.
I said this f-----g sucks, right? It's not entirely clear how long after the tour Peart learned of his illness, but it's safe to say he spent what should have been his well-earned retirement fighting it. Wide appears to have been produced as a work of promise for a new journey, but I worry it may be looked on more as a bittersweet coda. Like when Charles Schulz died after drawing his last strip.
It also happens that my reading this coincides with my own father's declining health (he died two weeks after Neil). I was fortunate to have him around longer, but the loss is no less painful for me. A lot of memes circulating my social feeds implore us to not feel sad, but to smile for having breathed the same air as Rush, and having the music. I should feel the same way about my own dad, and perhaps the pain will lighten in time.
For young Olivia, too.
February 13, 2018
Well I can't very well give Neil anything less than 4 stars for anything, and even now I feel pretty lousy about this.
If you don't know, Neil Peart is (was???) the drummer for Rush, my favorite band of all time. In his later years, he extended his lyric writing to prose and has written about five or six books, mostly travelogues mixed with marginalia about the band.
This book's intended topic, I thought, was to be the year Neil spent on tour during what figures to be Rush's last tour ever. In some ways, it IS about that. But it also goes very deep into the woods with regard to his travel writing---which I find interesting, but it's not the reason I want to read a book by Neil Peart. In all fairness, he's only being asked to be judged for what he's actually TRYING to do. And in that, this book is moderately successful. There are some beautifully written passages and the accompanying photos make for some very funny moments.
But what the book did most was demonstrate two things: first, and more importantly, it SHOWED rather than told why exactly Neil has had enough of touring life. Because of a series of devastating tragedies about 10 years ago, Neil is now the father and husband of a young family again. He's put in a lot of time and a lot of love and a lot of sweat and muscle to Rush and us fans. As he says, it's really enough for his old body, and he needs to tend his own garden. As much as I cannot bear to consider the end of Rush after 40 years, I respect Neil's assertion that HE cannot bear a diminishment of his skills. He's widely and non-controversially known as the best rock drummer in the world; he wants to get off his throne like that. Secondly, and much less important, the book reminded me what an egghead Neil really IS. I mean, I'm one of the nerdiest people I know. I LOVE all manner of intellectual endeavor. My wife tells me all the time how serious I am. But Neil is REALLY SERIOUS. He's constantly quoting classic books, using the word "repast" rather than meal; but the most amazing moment comes in the repetition of a story I've heard him and the band tell in their Time Stand Still documentary about this last tour. Think about ROCK n ROLL bands. We already know that Rush is Canadian and that they're the nicest guys in music. So the fact that they don't ,live a rock n' roll lifestyle is not just unsurprising, it's a welcome relief. But at the end of the book, Neil tells of his CRAZY decision---at the end of the last shown they'd ever play live together---to cross what he calls "the back-line meridian" and come to the forestage alongside his bandmates for a bow. So shocked is Geddy when Neil does this that in front of everyone, turns and says "Wow! What a nice surprise!" The thing is, it's not pretension as so many have claimed over the years--Neil isn't PRETENDING to be anything or anyone. It's just who he is. He partially explains this in a wonderful line in the last few pages as he talks about his late childhood heroes Keith Moon and John Bonham, two amazing drummers who died in their early 30s. Neil says, "When no one around you will tell you no, you have to get good at saying it to yourself." That's Neil. That's part of the Rush ethos.
If you don't know, Neil Peart is (was???) the drummer for Rush, my favorite band of all time. In his later years, he extended his lyric writing to prose and has written about five or six books, mostly travelogues mixed with marginalia about the band.
This book's intended topic, I thought, was to be the year Neil spent on tour during what figures to be Rush's last tour ever. In some ways, it IS about that. But it also goes very deep into the woods with regard to his travel writing---which I find interesting, but it's not the reason I want to read a book by Neil Peart. In all fairness, he's only being asked to be judged for what he's actually TRYING to do. And in that, this book is moderately successful. There are some beautifully written passages and the accompanying photos make for some very funny moments.
But what the book did most was demonstrate two things: first, and more importantly, it SHOWED rather than told why exactly Neil has had enough of touring life. Because of a series of devastating tragedies about 10 years ago, Neil is now the father and husband of a young family again. He's put in a lot of time and a lot of love and a lot of sweat and muscle to Rush and us fans. As he says, it's really enough for his old body, and he needs to tend his own garden. As much as I cannot bear to consider the end of Rush after 40 years, I respect Neil's assertion that HE cannot bear a diminishment of his skills. He's widely and non-controversially known as the best rock drummer in the world; he wants to get off his throne like that. Secondly, and much less important, the book reminded me what an egghead Neil really IS. I mean, I'm one of the nerdiest people I know. I LOVE all manner of intellectual endeavor. My wife tells me all the time how serious I am. But Neil is REALLY SERIOUS. He's constantly quoting classic books, using the word "repast" rather than meal; but the most amazing moment comes in the repetition of a story I've heard him and the band tell in their Time Stand Still documentary about this last tour. Think about ROCK n ROLL bands. We already know that Rush is Canadian and that they're the nicest guys in music. So the fact that they don't ,live a rock n' roll lifestyle is not just unsurprising, it's a welcome relief. But at the end of the book, Neil tells of his CRAZY decision---at the end of the last shown they'd ever play live together---to cross what he calls "the back-line meridian" and come to the forestage alongside his bandmates for a bow. So shocked is Geddy when Neil does this that in front of everyone, turns and says "Wow! What a nice surprise!" The thing is, it's not pretension as so many have claimed over the years--Neil isn't PRETENDING to be anything or anyone. It's just who he is. He partially explains this in a wonderful line in the last few pages as he talks about his late childhood heroes Keith Moon and John Bonham, two amazing drummers who died in their early 30s. Neil says, "When no one around you will tell you no, you have to get good at saying it to yourself." That's Neil. That's part of the Rush ethos.
April 7, 2021
A rarity for me to give the full 5 stars, but this was a brilliant work. I'm late to the game of learning who the real Neil Peart was, and his passing is an even greater heartbreaking after reading this.
I've been a fan of his drumming and lyrics. The folks at Modern Drummer, at least back in the 80s and early 90s, obscured the bigger picture that was truly Neil. But then, he was never one for interviews and was private, so I'll give them a pass. After this book, I will dive into the others to enjoy his insightful perspective and his knowledge of the world. But mostly to read about his back road treks across America. Leave it to a Canadian to show us what we're missing and should be appreciating.
The final moments tell of the end of Rush R40 tour and how he walked out, across the back line, to stand with his mates - something he never, ever did... let's just say, I didn't think he was going to make me cry.
His narrative is a conversational voice: it is not pretentious, it is very humorous, and it makes you wish you could sit by a fire, under the stars, and listen to him share his wisdom the whole night through.
I've been a fan of his drumming and lyrics. The folks at Modern Drummer, at least back in the 80s and early 90s, obscured the bigger picture that was truly Neil. But then, he was never one for interviews and was private, so I'll give them a pass. After this book, I will dive into the others to enjoy his insightful perspective and his knowledge of the world. But mostly to read about his back road treks across America. Leave it to a Canadian to show us what we're missing and should be appreciating.
The final moments tell of the end of Rush R40 tour and how he walked out, across the back line, to stand with his mates - something he never, ever did... let's just say, I didn't think he was going to make me cry.
His narrative is a conversational voice: it is not pretentious, it is very humorous, and it makes you wish you could sit by a fire, under the stars, and listen to him share his wisdom the whole night through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2021
The last in a trilogy of travel memoirs. More of the same as the other two but Neil seems MUCH happier in this one. He knows the grueling touring life is over and can't wait to get home. Sadly, he only had about a year of retirement before brain cancer took away all those hopes. I think that this is the second best one of the three. The first one, Far Away, is my favorite. But Ghost Rider and Traveling Music are both better than all of these in my opinion. Anyway, these are fun books to read a little at a time and he definitely had a non-rock star style life. Reading these books, I am reminded of a quote that someone told me once: "Would you rather collect things or see things?". Neil Peart's lifestyle/career enabled him to do the latter in more ways that most of us can and I look forward to many more travels in my life...seeing things is the way to go.
February 11, 2023
Just as everyone else says, this one's a bittersweet read, especially knowing that he only had four more years.
Very much more of the same as the past two books in this trilogy, but it's not the travelogue so much as the observances, the side trips, and the occasional glimpse into the deeper parts of Peart's mind that make each one of these a fascinating read.
My only complaint with this one is that he does get a touch repetitive with a couple of phrases, for example, the Christopher Hitchens one: "What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence." Hitchens's Razor is a fine quote, but more than a couple of times in a reasonably short book is a little overkill.
But it's a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things. Fantastic book, fantastic series.
Very much more of the same as the past two books in this trilogy, but it's not the travelogue so much as the observances, the side trips, and the occasional glimpse into the deeper parts of Peart's mind that make each one of these a fascinating read.
My only complaint with this one is that he does get a touch repetitive with a couple of phrases, for example, the Christopher Hitchens one: "What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence." Hitchens's Razor is a fine quote, but more than a couple of times in a reasonably short book is a little overkill.
But it's a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things. Fantastic book, fantastic series.
January 13, 2018
This was a bittersweet read. Neil shares his experiences during the final tour with Rush. As with his other books, it is filled with interesting stories during the 35 cities he visits and the thousands of miles he travels in between. He shares many anecdotes and side tales taken from the history of the area he visits or old yarns from past visits. As the book approaches the end, I found myself dreading it, as it reminded me that my favourite band's career has most likely come to an end as well.
February 5, 2020
*Caveat lector:
I cannot review this book in a purely objective fashion. I have been a Rush fan since 1981.
Far and Wide is Rush Drummer/lyricist Neil Peart's last book. it follows his motorcycle rides, to and from shows, and on off days, during the R40 tour in 2015.
Far and Away isn't simply a narrative journey through his rides on small out of the way and obscure roads, or about his experiences with various co-pilots and strangers along the way. Instead, Neil is much more introspective and speaks about time spent with his young daughter Olivia and shares pictures of her for the first time. A lump in the throat moment comes when he contemplates when to tell her about her lost sister Selena.
( in 1997 Neil's 17 yr old Daughter Selena died in an automobile accident, his wife Jackie died of Cancer Lees than a year later. Peart went a soul searching motorcycle ride for the next 3 years before meeting and marrying his 2nd wife, the photographer Carrie Nutall, in 2000 and eventually having Olivia years later.)
I certainly hope he was able to have many discussions with Olivia about her sister before Brain Cancer took him at the too early age of 67 this past January.
Peart's prose is lyrical and poetic when necessary and down to earth and filled with his silly sense of humor and wonder at the natural world and those small communities one might encounter if you venture off the interstates.
A delightful travelogue and more a wonderful trip with a marvelous autodidact polymath.
I cannot review this book in a purely objective fashion. I have been a Rush fan since 1981.
Far and Wide is Rush Drummer/lyricist Neil Peart's last book. it follows his motorcycle rides, to and from shows, and on off days, during the R40 tour in 2015.
Far and Away isn't simply a narrative journey through his rides on small out of the way and obscure roads, or about his experiences with various co-pilots and strangers along the way. Instead, Neil is much more introspective and speaks about time spent with his young daughter Olivia and shares pictures of her for the first time. A lump in the throat moment comes when he contemplates when to tell her about her lost sister Selena.
( in 1997 Neil's 17 yr old Daughter Selena died in an automobile accident, his wife Jackie died of Cancer Lees than a year later. Peart went a soul searching motorcycle ride for the next 3 years before meeting and marrying his 2nd wife, the photographer Carrie Nutall, in 2000 and eventually having Olivia years later.)
I certainly hope he was able to have many discussions with Olivia about her sister before Brain Cancer took him at the too early age of 67 this past January.
Peart's prose is lyrical and poetic when necessary and down to earth and filled with his silly sense of humor and wonder at the natural world and those small communities one might encounter if you venture off the interstates.
A delightful travelogue and more a wonderful trip with a marvelous autodidact polymath.
May 14, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book. I did not want it to end, I will definitely reread this one again and again. I'm ready for a long motorcycle trip now! Bring The Macallan 👍🥃
So sad that we've lost Neil as a travel writer and as one of the greatest drummers ever.
So sad that we've lost Neil as a travel writer and as one of the greatest drummers ever.
January 30, 2020
The last book of the last tour. With the shockingly passing of Neil Peart just 2 weeks ago, it was time to reminisce about the lives and times of Rush. The impact Neil has had with his music, words and lyrics, his character and traits cannot be overstated. I had the fortune to be present at three concerts of the R40 tour, Las Vegas, Irvine and LA, so this book brings back many memories. Many anecdotes, side stories fill the adventure coast to coast even dipping back in the past. Beautiful photos of his trip in this book. A fascinating insight in the live and thoughts of this intensely private man. I was shocked, numbed and profoundly sad when I heard of his loss; it feels like losing a dear friend or family member, all the more strange since I never met or spoke to the man. I am a big admirer of his body of work. My thoughts since the announcement have never been far off his band members Geddy and Alex, and his daughter Olivia, of whom he writes so lovingly in this book. A bittersweet read therefore but so highly recommended to Rush fans, travel book fans, and basically all decent human beings.
July 9, 2021
Only 1/4th as funny as Bill Bryson but that is the spirit: Bill Bryson meets a literate, worldly, introverted rock star – or rather rock musician –, writing about riding his motorcycle from gig to gig.
April 15, 2024
As the saying goes, "You should never meet your heroes."
Although I am a guitarist and not a drummer, Neil Peart was incredibly influential to me in my formative years both as a lyricist and as a dedicated musician. I've played in a Rush tribute band and I was fortunate enough to have seen them in concert three times, each time in a different decade and on a different tour (playing with Different Strings, one presumes).
I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of Ghost Rider for years, and landed on this travelogue. I should have waited longer. Whist reading Far and Wide, my first book by Peart, I was disheartened that the man who seemed to have a way of looking at the world with open, willing eyes and who seemed to welcome others wherever his travels took him, was more close-minded than I could ever have imagined. In the book, I learned that Mr. Peart:
1. Didn't take photos unless he was smiling (a promise he made to himself after his mother commented that he never smiled onstage).
2. Wouldn't wear clothes in a photoshoot he didn't bring with him.
3. Refused to "pretend" (using a pair of sticks he was given) to drum on the back of a chair for a Rolling Stone photoshoot...but would have pretended if he had been brought a hi-hat. (Those shoots --which were part of the career he chose for himself-- sound like they were a nightmare for the photographers, with his unnecessary diva-like behavior.)
4. Did not have patience for any type of spirituality unless it was absolute atheism, to the point of actually scolding a person in need who said, "God bless you," when he gave them a $20 bill for gas...missing the point that they were giving something of themselves back to him in gratitude for his gift.
5. Thought it was completely fine that a hotel fired its manager after she did her job by changing the key code to his room when he refused to move his motorcycle from a restricted area.
Honestly, he comes off here as an elitist jerk who thought he was better than others simply because of his position in life (I can't count the number of congratulatory pats on the back he gives himself for giving a few bucks to someone homeless or in need. That he did so is, of course, great, but the prideful boasting about is...uncomfortable.).
That said, he was a decent writer and I appreciated his thoughts on other musicians, as well as his memories from certain Rush-related events such as their final tour. It's a 3 from me.
Although I am a guitarist and not a drummer, Neil Peart was incredibly influential to me in my formative years both as a lyricist and as a dedicated musician. I've played in a Rush tribute band and I was fortunate enough to have seen them in concert three times, each time in a different decade and on a different tour (playing with Different Strings, one presumes).
I've been wanting to get my hands on a copy of Ghost Rider for years, and landed on this travelogue. I should have waited longer. Whist reading Far and Wide, my first book by Peart, I was disheartened that the man who seemed to have a way of looking at the world with open, willing eyes and who seemed to welcome others wherever his travels took him, was more close-minded than I could ever have imagined. In the book, I learned that Mr. Peart:
1. Didn't take photos unless he was smiling (a promise he made to himself after his mother commented that he never smiled onstage).
2. Wouldn't wear clothes in a photoshoot he didn't bring with him.
3. Refused to "pretend" (using a pair of sticks he was given) to drum on the back of a chair for a Rolling Stone photoshoot...but would have pretended if he had been brought a hi-hat. (Those shoots --which were part of the career he chose for himself-- sound like they were a nightmare for the photographers, with his unnecessary diva-like behavior.)
4. Did not have patience for any type of spirituality unless it was absolute atheism, to the point of actually scolding a person in need who said, "God bless you," when he gave them a $20 bill for gas...missing the point that they were giving something of themselves back to him in gratitude for his gift.
5. Thought it was completely fine that a hotel fired its manager after she did her job by changing the key code to his room when he refused to move his motorcycle from a restricted area.
Honestly, he comes off here as an elitist jerk who thought he was better than others simply because of his position in life (I can't count the number of congratulatory pats on the back he gives himself for giving a few bucks to someone homeless or in need. That he did so is, of course, great, but the prideful boasting about is...uncomfortable.).
That said, he was a decent writer and I appreciated his thoughts on other musicians, as well as his memories from certain Rush-related events such as their final tour. It's a 3 from me.
November 21, 2016
Neil Peart’s collection of stories is interesting in that they are written from a perspective that most of us never experience: that of a famous rock-n-roll star leading a “normal” life; a normal life is what it seems Peart is searching for.
The stories are not well-written as in being written by a seasoned author or one that obsesses over particular phrases and nuances, but rather written from the heart, which I believe that they are. I believe that these writings originated from his website as blog entries, and I think that they read as such.
While the book centers around his travels on his motorcycle between shows with Rush, it is not as much centered on motorcycles as it is around the places and “normalcy” that he searches for in the forgotten corners and diners that spot this country even still. The stories are interesting because of the perspective that Peart has towards these places, a perspective that most of us would miss because it is a daily aspect of our lives.
Being a Rush fan, or a fan of Peart’s obvious talent as a drummer is not a prerequisite for enjoying the honesty behind the stories, but if you are the stories open up a side of a person in a famous band that reveal a man almost trying to hide his identity. Reading Peart’s stories reminded me of another recluse-type of musician’s writings: Robert Fripp (of King Crimson fame).
I would recommend this book to those of us who find respite on a motorcycle more so than I would recommend the book to “hardcore” Rush fans. There’s not much on Rush here, and neither should there be. This is an insight into Peart’s life outside of and separate from his fame as one of the best drummers of our time.
The stories are not well-written as in being written by a seasoned author or one that obsesses over particular phrases and nuances, but rather written from the heart, which I believe that they are. I believe that these writings originated from his website as blog entries, and I think that they read as such.
While the book centers around his travels on his motorcycle between shows with Rush, it is not as much centered on motorcycles as it is around the places and “normalcy” that he searches for in the forgotten corners and diners that spot this country even still. The stories are interesting because of the perspective that Peart has towards these places, a perspective that most of us would miss because it is a daily aspect of our lives.
Being a Rush fan, or a fan of Peart’s obvious talent as a drummer is not a prerequisite for enjoying the honesty behind the stories, but if you are the stories open up a side of a person in a famous band that reveal a man almost trying to hide his identity. Reading Peart’s stories reminded me of another recluse-type of musician’s writings: Robert Fripp (of King Crimson fame).
I would recommend this book to those of us who find respite on a motorcycle more so than I would recommend the book to “hardcore” Rush fans. There’s not much on Rush here, and neither should there be. This is an insight into Peart’s life outside of and separate from his fame as one of the best drummers of our time.
January 8, 2022
Neil Peart is a great writer - but for me, he's at his best when he's thinking deep thoughts and distilling them into pithy snippets of philosophy - in other words, writing Rush lyrics. All of his lyrics are worth listening to; some are among the greatest creations in rock music.
His first book, The Masked Rider, was a surprise and a revelation, in the sense that suddenly we Rush fans had more insight into this brilliant (but until then closely guarded) mind beyond what we could get from his lyrics. But it was entirely separate from his musical life - an African travelogue, and a decidedly un-Rushlike creation.
In his next book, Ghost Rider, Peart showed us the authenticity behind the lyrics he'd been producing during all those years with the band. As I wrote on a Rush message board at the time, his use of song lyric quotes (both as chapter openers/closers and in the text) were what really made the book work for me. The important thing was that the lyrics rang true: although mostly written earlier, they applied to the situations he was writing about. And that's what his fans have always done - interpreted his lyrics and applied them to our own situations. I've read occasional comments that you can't tell what a lyricist really believes by reading his lyrics - after all, it's just art, or entertainment; there's poetic license, and all that. But I've always thought, and I think Ghost Rider confirmed this, that Peart's Rush lyrics were what he believed to be truths.
Ghost Rider also introduced us to Peart's motorcycling habit, and while it was fine to get a glimpse of something he obviously enjoyed, to us non-motorcycling enthusiasts, that aspect was less relevant.
Then came Traveling Music, and Roadshow, filled with Peart's extended observations not only on driving and riding and music and drumming, but also on life, death, human nature, the environment, friendship, and pretty much anything that came to mind. I enjoyed both of those books as well-written and informative chronicles of his time spent making Rush music, and what it meant to be the person he was. Then he started writing blog posts, and for me, to be honest, he was getting to the point of being overly prolific. His wry observations on human nature began to be just a bit predictable and repetitive. And more motorcycle riding... hmm.
So I didn't read his next two volumes - Far and Away, and Far and Near.
For some reason, almost a couple of years after Peart's passing, I decided to pick this one up. I knew it covered the R40 tour, of which I attended the Buffalo show in June of 2015, and I think I realized that it may have collected some of the writing previously published on his website, as had the earlier two that I skipped. But again, I hadn't been keeping up with that, and I wasn't even thinking at the time I bought it that this might be the last example of his writing.
So, how is this book? Unsurprisingly, given all that I've said so far, I enjoyed the philosophizing the most. Where he thinks deeply about the human condition and makes incisive comments on it, the writing is nothing short of fantastic. An extended analysis of some of his own lyrics (Nobody's Hero) is probably the best part of the book for me (p. 246 - 249), along with his description of the final show of the tour, and of Rush's career, in Los Angeles. The interactions with his daughter were a new addition - these episodes are certainly poignant, knowing what we know now, and it's nice that they're documented here.
On the other hand, the obsession with motorcycle travel on the back roads of the country? Eh. It got a bit tedious for me. Commentary on his encounters with average folks in rural America? Mostly clever, but we've seen it before. Snarky and inside-joke-y banter with his riding companion Michael? We've seen that before too, as well as with his previous fellow rider Brutus. Okay, I don't know these guys, but as a reader, the ambiguity of friends versus employees in this context comes across as a bit awkward. But anyway.
In the end, this is an engaging collection of essays that gives us a rough view of that final Rush tour from Peart's perspective. It's not an exhaustive account, and he jumps back in time to comment on previous experiences where relevant; this makes the narrative structure a bit disjointed for me. Some chapters are better than others, but overall I'm glad I read it.
And yes, it really was coincidental that I finished reading this book on the two year anniversary date of Peart's death. Seems unlikely, right? But it's true - if it was planned, it was entirely subconsciously, since I just realized it upon finishing. I'm sorry he's gone, too soon, from the world to which he contributed so much, but I'm glad we have his writing, and more than that, his music, through which the best and brightest of his thoughts live on indefinitely.
His first book, The Masked Rider, was a surprise and a revelation, in the sense that suddenly we Rush fans had more insight into this brilliant (but until then closely guarded) mind beyond what we could get from his lyrics. But it was entirely separate from his musical life - an African travelogue, and a decidedly un-Rushlike creation.
In his next book, Ghost Rider, Peart showed us the authenticity behind the lyrics he'd been producing during all those years with the band. As I wrote on a Rush message board at the time, his use of song lyric quotes (both as chapter openers/closers and in the text) were what really made the book work for me. The important thing was that the lyrics rang true: although mostly written earlier, they applied to the situations he was writing about. And that's what his fans have always done - interpreted his lyrics and applied them to our own situations. I've read occasional comments that you can't tell what a lyricist really believes by reading his lyrics - after all, it's just art, or entertainment; there's poetic license, and all that. But I've always thought, and I think Ghost Rider confirmed this, that Peart's Rush lyrics were what he believed to be truths.
Ghost Rider also introduced us to Peart's motorcycling habit, and while it was fine to get a glimpse of something he obviously enjoyed, to us non-motorcycling enthusiasts, that aspect was less relevant.
Then came Traveling Music, and Roadshow, filled with Peart's extended observations not only on driving and riding and music and drumming, but also on life, death, human nature, the environment, friendship, and pretty much anything that came to mind. I enjoyed both of those books as well-written and informative chronicles of his time spent making Rush music, and what it meant to be the person he was. Then he started writing blog posts, and for me, to be honest, he was getting to the point of being overly prolific. His wry observations on human nature began to be just a bit predictable and repetitive. And more motorcycle riding... hmm.
So I didn't read his next two volumes - Far and Away, and Far and Near.
For some reason, almost a couple of years after Peart's passing, I decided to pick this one up. I knew it covered the R40 tour, of which I attended the Buffalo show in June of 2015, and I think I realized that it may have collected some of the writing previously published on his website, as had the earlier two that I skipped. But again, I hadn't been keeping up with that, and I wasn't even thinking at the time I bought it that this might be the last example of his writing.
So, how is this book? Unsurprisingly, given all that I've said so far, I enjoyed the philosophizing the most. Where he thinks deeply about the human condition and makes incisive comments on it, the writing is nothing short of fantastic. An extended analysis of some of his own lyrics (Nobody's Hero) is probably the best part of the book for me (p. 246 - 249), along with his description of the final show of the tour, and of Rush's career, in Los Angeles. The interactions with his daughter were a new addition - these episodes are certainly poignant, knowing what we know now, and it's nice that they're documented here.
On the other hand, the obsession with motorcycle travel on the back roads of the country? Eh. It got a bit tedious for me. Commentary on his encounters with average folks in rural America? Mostly clever, but we've seen it before. Snarky and inside-joke-y banter with his riding companion Michael? We've seen that before too, as well as with his previous fellow rider Brutus. Okay, I don't know these guys, but as a reader, the ambiguity of friends versus employees in this context comes across as a bit awkward. But anyway.
In the end, this is an engaging collection of essays that gives us a rough view of that final Rush tour from Peart's perspective. It's not an exhaustive account, and he jumps back in time to comment on previous experiences where relevant; this makes the narrative structure a bit disjointed for me. Some chapters are better than others, but overall I'm glad I read it.
And yes, it really was coincidental that I finished reading this book on the two year anniversary date of Peart's death. Seems unlikely, right? But it's true - if it was planned, it was entirely subconsciously, since I just realized it upon finishing. I'm sorry he's gone, too soon, from the world to which he contributed so much, but I'm glad we have his writing, and more than that, his music, through which the best and brightest of his thoughts live on indefinitely.
February 25, 2022
My favorite of Neil's since Traveling Music. A fantastic read, his wit really shines through on this one.
September 30, 2023
This book is everything I was hoping it would be. As a lifelong drummer, I can confidently say Peart would be on the “Drumming Mount Rushmore” very easily. It would be challenging to find another drummer who would disagree with that statement.
He’s famously quiet and reserved. Unlike most celebrities where you can track every step they’ve taken in their whole lives, Peart has always had a level of mystery to him. Because of that, this book was an absolute treat because I felt like I finally got to know someone I’ve studied since I was a kid.
The Rush history and interactions, the life stories, and the painting of details from each state he drove through perfectly intertwined from the first page to the last. Which offers great pacing throughout.
The high point to me is also in a way the low point, too. How Peart dives into the local history of the places he visits is a random spark of curiosity to the reader as they learn about things they may not know because of where they may or may not live. But those curves are also distracting when he goes on an unexpected mini rant about something he has an opinion about. This book got four stars because I felt like the sprinkles of political talk was so far from necessary and completely took me out of the story. Which isn’t my opinion because I disagree with his views. I just felt like it had no place in the book and it bummed me out by being such a distraction to an otherwise great book and storytelling.
Another side note is the audiobook is a little tough to sit through. The narrator is very dry and doesn’t show a lot of spark in interest with what he’s reading. I wish Neil got another drummer like Stewart Copeland or Mike Portnoy who would have read each line with pure joy.
This book is very niche but it also covers a few main topics: Drumming, Rush, travel, history, and motorcycling. If one or more of those are any interest to you, then you would very likely enjoy this book because the attention to each main topic pillar is so evenly spread across.
He’s famously quiet and reserved. Unlike most celebrities where you can track every step they’ve taken in their whole lives, Peart has always had a level of mystery to him. Because of that, this book was an absolute treat because I felt like I finally got to know someone I’ve studied since I was a kid.
The Rush history and interactions, the life stories, and the painting of details from each state he drove through perfectly intertwined from the first page to the last. Which offers great pacing throughout.
The high point to me is also in a way the low point, too. How Peart dives into the local history of the places he visits is a random spark of curiosity to the reader as they learn about things they may not know because of where they may or may not live. But those curves are also distracting when he goes on an unexpected mini rant about something he has an opinion about. This book got four stars because I felt like the sprinkles of political talk was so far from necessary and completely took me out of the story. Which isn’t my opinion because I disagree with his views. I just felt like it had no place in the book and it bummed me out by being such a distraction to an otherwise great book and storytelling.
Another side note is the audiobook is a little tough to sit through. The narrator is very dry and doesn’t show a lot of spark in interest with what he’s reading. I wish Neil got another drummer like Stewart Copeland or Mike Portnoy who would have read each line with pure joy.
This book is very niche but it also covers a few main topics: Drumming, Rush, travel, history, and motorcycling. If one or more of those are any interest to you, then you would very likely enjoy this book because the attention to each main topic pillar is so evenly spread across.
March 3, 2021
Not just one of the best drummers in the world but also erudite, intellectually curious and a good writer to boot. Neil Peart, sadly no longer with us, loved riding his motorcycles, particularly BMWs and really disliked flying. So, whenever Rush toured in the US, instead of traveling with his colleagues he would map out a route that avoided main roads and rode between gigs. This book is a wonderful travelogue full of reflections on sights and society in the US along with rumination on life. He readily punctures any notion that stardom is anything other than an unfortunate side effect of being successful in the performing arts, bringing awkward moments, unwelcome requests for photos and frequent unwarranted and unrequested impositions on day-to-day life. Not that he complains, but rather just describes what it's like and reminds us that 'stars' are much like everyone else in every respect except their musical talents. There is tragedy in his life and many hardships, but he is a stoic, so he passes over those moments without indulgence and focuses more on what he sees, hears, and thinks along the way. As the book draws to an end, along with Rush's final tour, he draws many threads together with some pithy observations that are worth remembering; for example, he reflects on how to convey oneself through life: "Be a good person and try to be the hero you dreamed of being when you were young." This is the kind of book that more musicians (and actors) should write, the reality rather than the glitz. Excellent and nicely paced.
February 22, 2021
This is easily the best of Neil's books after Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road. It probably had the most emotional buy-in from him, too. It's not about "nothing". It's not about "life" as he lived it. It's about the process of coming to the end of something...and specifically, coming to the end of Rush.
This is Neil's document of the last tour, R40. He wanted it to be the last tour. He'd have been happy not to tour again after finishing the Clockwork Angels tour. More, I think he really needed it to be his last tour.
In the long, penultimate chapter, he does his best writing. He's talking about the end of the tour. But he's also talking about the end of being the drummer in a rock and roll band. He does it by relating the ends of Keith Moon, Dennis Wilson, and John Bonham, all of whom died early and badly. Neil, stopped on his own. He didn't die of being a rock and roll drummer. In a way, that gives him peace.
The book goes all over, and is much more upbeat than either of the past two. I think I'm glad that I went through it, although I confess I wasn't sure when I picked it up. The only other one of his books I have is "Road Show," which is focused, too. So, maybe my good luck will continue there.
See you down the road.
This is Neil's document of the last tour, R40. He wanted it to be the last tour. He'd have been happy not to tour again after finishing the Clockwork Angels tour. More, I think he really needed it to be his last tour.
In the long, penultimate chapter, he does his best writing. He's talking about the end of the tour. But he's also talking about the end of being the drummer in a rock and roll band. He does it by relating the ends of Keith Moon, Dennis Wilson, and John Bonham, all of whom died early and badly. Neil, stopped on his own. He didn't die of being a rock and roll drummer. In a way, that gives him peace.
The book goes all over, and is much more upbeat than either of the past two. I think I'm glad that I went through it, although I confess I wasn't sure when I picked it up. The only other one of his books I have is "Road Show," which is focused, too. So, maybe my good luck will continue there.
See you down the road.
June 4, 2022
In 2015, I heard that the progressive rock band Rush was going to be touring again. I’d been a fan of theirs for some time, but for some reason out of all of the concerts I’d been to I hadn’t seen them. I’d read some musings about this being their last tour because of the physical toll it took on them and managed to see them when they visited Boston. It was a great show and I’m so glad I managed to see them before it was no longer possible.
Neil Peart was the drummer for Rush. He passes away on January 7, 2020 (my birthday). Over the past few years of reading his books, I’ve come to see him as something of a kindred spirit. It’s exactly something he would be put-off hearing. However, we both experienced great losses in our lives and coped with them by indulging our sense of wanderlust. We both enjoy exploring the back roads and seeing things not normally seen while speeding by on the interstate.
Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon To Me is the third book that Peart published that chronicles his travels. This one takes place during the tour in 2015 that I mentioned above, the R40 tour. It was pretty much agreed between the three members of Rush before this tour began that it would be the last. Peart also recognized it as being one of his last chances to travel North America by motorcycle as he had in the past.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
Neil Peart was the drummer for Rush. He passes away on January 7, 2020 (my birthday). Over the past few years of reading his books, I’ve come to see him as something of a kindred spirit. It’s exactly something he would be put-off hearing. However, we both experienced great losses in our lives and coped with them by indulging our sense of wanderlust. We both enjoy exploring the back roads and seeing things not normally seen while speeding by on the interstate.
Far and Wide: Bring That Horizon To Me is the third book that Peart published that chronicles his travels. This one takes place during the tour in 2015 that I mentioned above, the R40 tour. It was pretty much agreed between the three members of Rush before this tour began that it would be the last. Peart also recognized it as being one of his last chances to travel North America by motorcycle as he had in the past.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
August 20, 2018
Dear Neil: I understand your disdain for fans, and your dislike of the celebrity scene (I would too), but it begs the question: Why did you continue giving concerts, at super large venues, till your mid-60s? If you really were dedicated to the art of drumming, you could have done it in your basement recording studio. Clearly, you are not very interested in gifting people with music, or you would have continued in small, more intimate venues (like Mark Knopfler for example). Your story of your dedication to Rush doesn't really hang together.
I'm also not impressed with your take on religion in general and found your life philosophy rather thin, though I'm impressed that you did not succumb as Bonham and Moon did.
All that said, I really enjoyed the motorcycling stories. I've also travelled long distances on motorbike. Rain, cold, wipeouts, lost luggage... I can relate. Most especially planning routes that avoid highways and capitalized on the twisties. I lived it through you. I also did the Going-to-the-sun road. One of my all time faves.
I'm also not impressed with your take on religion in general and found your life philosophy rather thin, though I'm impressed that you did not succumb as Bonham and Moon did.
All that said, I really enjoyed the motorcycling stories. I've also travelled long distances on motorbike. Rain, cold, wipeouts, lost luggage... I can relate. Most especially planning routes that avoid highways and capitalized on the twisties. I lived it through you. I also did the Going-to-the-sun road. One of my all time faves.
July 5, 2022
I had hoped that this junket, being the final hoorah for one of my favorite bands would have incuded more inside baseball about the Guys at Work, but this definitely read more like a a travelogue with minimal shop talk. that said, it is an excellent travelogue, told as only Mr. Peart could. Reading this after his passing, the portions about the relationship with his daughter go from touching to heartbreaking. Clearly Neil revered family life and I can only hope that Carrie and Olivia have found a way to do well. The passages served to reinforce the preciousness of time with my own wife and daughter. Of course we get the usual observations, complaints and wit that come with Mr. Peart's writing which is solid here as always. The only thing that rubs me wrong is the repeated swipes at religion. I get it, and in many instances, agree, but the point has been made and doesn't need to be belabored. Mine are minor knits to pick in a book that triumphantly caps the phenomenal career of a musician, a writer, a friend, father, husband, and liver of life to its fullest. RIP, Pratt.
June 29, 2018
You don't have to be a Rush fan , or a drummer, to enjoy this book. Neil Peart, the drummer for Rush, takes the reader on journeys throughout North America on his motorcycle in between shows on what is probably his last tour. There are great photographs, stories, and tales of his riding through the many cities. The glossy color pictures are great to look at, along with the black and white ones of his childhood and early years in the band.
If you are a fan of travel, music, or motorcycles (or just want to look at great pics), this book is for you. Unlike many picture heavy books, this had plenty of text to read as well. ECW Press has a great one here.
For an in depth review, go to: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
If you are a fan of travel, music, or motorcycles (or just want to look at great pics), this book is for you. Unlike many picture heavy books, this had plenty of text to read as well. ECW Press has a great one here.
For an in depth review, go to: https://lancewrites.wordpress.com/201...
June 18, 2020
It was bittersweet coming to the end of this book knowing that it would be the the last book Neil Peart would ever write. Heartbreaking while turning the pages of the last few chapters to see one phase of his life coming to an end and the anticipation of the next chapter of his life, getting to watch his daughter grow up, etc., only to know as the reader that he would be diagnosed with brain cancer less than a year after his retirement and then succumb to the disease less than 3 years after that. The world just seems different without him in it. Such a terrible loss. I think there would've been many, many more books from Neil - perhaps even some works of fiction. We'll never get to know.
November 24, 2021
Another great read from Neil Peart. His writing is insightful, full of interesting anecdotes, and he paints vivid scenes of his travels and emotions. I was a bit melancholy reading this book, as I have been a huge Rush fan since I was 13 years old and I put this off for a while, not wanting to read it after his death. While reading this book, I kept thinking that this will be the last thing that Neil writes and knowing that he would die 4 ½ years after this writing was sad for me. Especially reading the passages about his interaction with his young daughter. That all being said, I highly recommend this book and if you are a fan of travel, motorcycles, Rush, and good writing, you will enjoy it.
November 20, 2018
A fascinating and wonderful exploration of the traveling that Peart did, mostly from the last few legs of the final RUSH R40 tour. I listened to most of this while traveling on major highways across Ontario, between Waterloo, Hamilton, Barrie and Sudbury. It was delightful to have such a traveling companion sharing his own travel stories on my journey. Or, perhaps, to liberate some of the words that Peart wrote in the lyrics for the song "The Spirit of Radio," it was interesting to begin my day with a friendly voice, a companion unobtrusive, who shared those tales that were so elusive, and his magic verbiage made my morning move.
January 23, 2023
I enjoyed the book as a Rush fan and motorcyclist. No denying his drumming ability. I have to say I lost a little respect for him when he got pulled over and was given a ticket for speeding. He then complains he was set up by a car(he claims was an undercover cop) and then the cop didn’t give him a break even though he knew who he was. Also when he wrecks and then complains about the workers who patched the road. Sorry Neil no one forced you to speed and no one forced you to drive down the road at speeds where you couldn’t see what was around a corner or over a hill until it’s too late. RIP Professor you will be missed.
February 8, 2021
After Neil passed, I read the remainder of his books that I always said I’d get to “some day.” However, I couldn’t bring myself to read his last one, ‘Far and Wide.’ I knew that once I did, it would be the last time I read his words for the first time. I finished it this evening. The closing sentence of the second to last chapter seemed all too prophetic.
“The hardships and dangers of the road were behind me but there were still more challenges ahead before this journey was done.”
We miss you Neil. Thanks for everything.
“The hardships and dangers of the road were behind me but there were still more challenges ahead before this journey was done.”
We miss you Neil. Thanks for everything.
January 8, 2024
Listened to the audiobook
It's crazy that Neil Peart was known for being shy, and he was shy, but he gave us so much in his books that others would not. He's open about his family, his deceased family members as well, his views on fans and strangers, as well as a huge collection of his stories and the history of so many places he visited. Here in this novel he tells many warm stories about him and his daughter, and many tales both funny and cute with strangers he met during his travels. I found it to be an honest, sincere, funny, and wholesome tale.
It's crazy that Neil Peart was known for being shy, and he was shy, but he gave us so much in his books that others would not. He's open about his family, his deceased family members as well, his views on fans and strangers, as well as a huge collection of his stories and the history of so many places he visited. Here in this novel he tells many warm stories about him and his daughter, and many tales both funny and cute with strangers he met during his travels. I found it to be an honest, sincere, funny, and wholesome tale.
June 28, 2017
I read Ghost Rider first, and that one was more important to me. Neat to see something newer. It's clear these are travel books first and foremost - I checked out Road Show from the library but now I don't think I need to read that (he refers to it and Ghost Rider a lot in this one).
This was well-illustrated. I hope he's happy with whatever Rush decides to do and with whatever he crams his future days with.
This was well-illustrated. I hope he's happy with whatever Rush decides to do and with whatever he crams his future days with.
March 28, 2018
A great ending to Peart's series of books about riding his motorcycle to and from Rush shows…but it also chronicles the end of Rush. But the beautiful photos of the this book and the other two in this series make me want to visit some of the National Parks that he visited. Even though his Rush days are over and his bike touring days are over, I hope that Peart continues to share his life journeys with his fans.
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