Aloha Wanderwell: The Border-Smashing, Record-Setting Life of the World's Youngest Explorer

by Christian Fink-Jensen, Randolph Eustace-Walden

In 1922, a 15-year-old girl, fed up with life in a French convent school, answered an ad for a travelling secretary. Tall, blonde, and swaggering with confidence, she might have passed for twenty. She also knew what she wanted: to become the first female to drive around the world. Her name was Aloha Wanderwell.

Aloha's mission was foolhardy in the extreme. Drivable roads were scarce and cars were alien to much of the world. The Wanderwell Expedition created a specially modified Model T Ford for the journey that featured gun scabbards and a sloped back that could fold out to become a darkroom. All that remained was for Aloha to learn how to drive.

Aloha became known around the globe. She was photographed in front of the Eiffel Tower, parked on the back of the Sphinx, firing mortars in China, shaking hands with Mussolini, and smiling at a tickertape parade in Detroit. By the age of 25, she had become a pilot, a film star, an ambassador for world peace, and the centrepiece of one of the biggest unsolved murder mysteries in California history. Her story defied belief, but it was true. Every bit of it. Except for her name. The American Aloha Wanderwell was, in reality, the Canadian Idris Hall.

Drawing upon Aloha's diaries and travel logs, as well as films, photographs, newspaper accounts, and previously classified government documents, "Aloha Wanderwell" reveals the astonishing story of one of the greatest and most outrageous explorers of the 1920s."

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Adventure, Canada, Historical

425 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2016

About the author

Christian Fink-Jensen is an award-winning writer, researcher, publishing professional, and creativity coach. His fiction, non-fiction, and poetry have been published in newspapers, magazines, journals, and anthologies in Canada, the United States, England, and Singapore.

Christian is represented by Hilary McMahon at the Westwood Creative Artists agency.
Christian is currently at work on a nonfiction book about disasters. His recent book “Aloha Wanderwell” is a critically acclaimed best-selling biography of the first woman to drive a car around the world.

When not writing books, Christian works in the publishing industry and leads creativity workshops that help people move past blocks and find untapped inner resources. On Twitter @typomania.

Reviews

[DeB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book is fantastic. Goodreads crashed as I nearly completed a long summary and glowing review. Photos throughout are a big plus. Definitely the "Female Indiana Jones" of the 1920s. First woman to drive across India. First woman to drive around the world - and basically unacknowledged. Highly readable, absorbing, almost hard to believe...

Fantastic trivia. Hollywood connections. Vancouver Island history. She drove across the Great Wall of China. Parked on top of the Great Sphinx.

A little bit on the silent films:

http://www.alohawanderwell.com/movies/

Awesome book!

Five stars

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via the Goodreads giveaway.

This book tells the story of Idris Hall, a young woman born in Canada in the early 1900s. After losing her stepfather to the first World War, Idris travels to Europe to reunite with her mother and sister. In France, she meets Walter Wanderwell who invites her to join his tour company at the young age sixteen. Spending the next two decades travelling, Idris Hall reinvents herself as Aloha Wanderwell and experiences Europe, Africa, South America and North America, becoming the first woman to drive around the world.

This book outlines exciting events, and does a great job of documenting everything with solid sources as well as multiple pictures and news articles. The result is an immersive portrayal of Aloha, and I found all these different angles provided a very in depth look at someone that I had never heard of (even despite being from Canada myself). As such, I would recommend these book to readers of non-fiction and fans of biographies, as well as anyone looking to learn something new about what seems to be a somewhat forgotten piece of history.

[Yasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fairly engaging book in which the reader discovers that the authors are very obviously in love with the character of Idris Hall aka Aloha Wanderwell that they were more than willing to over look very strange inconsistancies in their own writing, photo captions and in their subject matter. If anything Captain Wanderwell aka Walter Wanderwell aka Valerian Johannes Pieczynski was the far more intriguing character out of the lot. I say character because both Idris and Valerian were certainly not who they seemed to be and Jensen and Walden certainly feed into this. Who and what exactly were Valerian's motives? Unfortunately, Jansen and Walden never resolved whether or not he was spying for the Germans. While Valerian was ultimately proved innocent on the basis there wasn't enough conclusive evidence doesn't altogether prove the man innocent. The book admits that Aloha destroyed anything remotely questioning Valerian's mental stability, which also completely vanishes from the rest of the book. The authors freely admit that both husband and a wife had a tendency of expunging the truth as it fitted their narratives. There is also the matter that the captions in the book don't fit the narrative. The narrative is far from smooth. The characters are very obvious candidates of self promotion and big advertisement for their so-called International Peace of Police--if such a thing can be believed. A statement often brought into doubt by the fact neither author outlines what exactly was meant by this international police protectorate. What exactly would this police force protect and from whom? How would it have been managed between boarders, languages, cultures and what organisation would ultimately mandate such an organisation? The reader never finds out because the authors didn't question the validity of such an enterprise. They were too busy at once telling us that Idris and Valerian were cultural ambassadors at exactly the same time drumming up drama for their sensational propaganda. All the while not allowing the reader to feel any emotional connection to either individual. In modern times Valerian would be called a pederast for his peculiar propensity for underaged young women. The age of consent in England is 16, but it wasn't always the case. The age of consent was risen from 12 in the 1880s to 14 and was that for the longest time. Now comes the meaning of "consent"--is it free and easily given or has it been coerced and forced by torture or other means? What is old enough for "consent" at 16 is still a minor and thus not legal elsewhere. But so far the reader isn't supposed to worry too much of these facts to get in the way of a rollicking story. The reader is supposed to conveniently ignore the fact Valerian was impressed with Mussolini (everyone else was at first, apparently that means Valerian quickly changed his mind...maybe?) and enough to do a fascist salute (so a photograph caption tells the reader) but oh no according to the text it was his version of the Boys Scouts salute. But the reader can take this all in their stride when Idris complains of the backwardness, dirtiness, primitive and altogether unexotic Singapore, China and Russia; however, she really feels according to one of the two authors: "[f]or Aloha, this was what travel was all about: sharing meaningful experiences with people of other cultures" (162), but only in Japan. Aloha and Valerian were always very impressed when the ladies could bathe (except apparently a big no no in Japan), get first class and otherwise very "exotic", "clean" and nice people for their films. Indeed, the reader is supposed to be swept away by her "willingness to connect with the cultures she was among" by leaving gifts for Indigenous peoples of Brazil on the ground and hiding up a tree--I miss how that showed a connection? Why would any one present gifts to anyone this way and think that was making a connection? As far as I know this isn't a secret gift exchange in Canada pre and post World War One. While the reader reels from this "deep connection" Valerian was cut from the same mindset cloth "he was doing what he loved best in life, encountering people drastically different world views and being made welcome among them". The author attempts to reassure the reader this modern thinking so many times throughout the book while at the same time the reader discovers most film footage that Idris was first and foremost. As well by page 315 the reader has them really figured out because the author writes: "The search for Colonel Fawcett, the downing of the plane, the jungle's perils, and the "savage" Bororo tribe would supply enough drama to carry the story". Well this final statement certainly negates all former assurances that they really wanted to share meaningful experiences with other peoples and cultures. This is how you describe friends apparently. Yes the reader was assured that Idris and Valerian considered the Bororo people their friends. Later much reference is made to these "savage" friends, much like the poor monkey and the young clouded leopard are easily dispersed and unrequired just like the story that Idris had been a virgin the whole time she knew Valerian before marriage. The reader is to accept these falsehoods as easily as the reader is to accept what a great and innovative time America was in the 1920s. When in reality Black Americans were being systematically murdered and abused and that the carving of the faces of the Presidents into Tȟuŋkášila Šákpe was a further act of desecration of Indigenous peoples lives and cultures. So the truth is that America was innovation and exciting to white people and mostly monied white people at that. Which is very apparent the white bias in the beginning of the book when Idris's parents clear land in Coquitlam and there was only the briefest mention of the Indigenous peoples of that land. Only that it was a "pristine paradise", which is erasing the fact peoples had lived on the land for a millennia. By no means was Idris Hall and her family wealthy in the traditional sense they certainly used white privilege to very obvious advantages. One just example being that Idris could conveniently look the other way in countries about the politics.
At the end I find myself thinking it was just as well Valerian and Idris fell into obscurity. I couldn't find myself feeling much sympathy with either person and while Valerian was more interesting because there was so little back story on the man's life that doesn't mean he is more worthy of a person than Idris. They were made for each other, in spite of his sexual deviances, they both cheated on each other with no qualms. She neglected her children emotionally, mentally and physically--who knows what happened to them in foster care--but she rebounded into another marriage, but always in the search for much more money. She eventually got the wish she longed desired towards the end of her life and the well constructed fabrication of her life carried her through and this book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the back cover: "In 1922, a 16-year-old Canadian girl, fed up with life in a French convent school, answered an ad for a travelling secretary. Tall, blonde and swaggering with confidence, she landed the job. Her assignment was to become the first woman to drive around the world. Her name Aloha Wanderwell."

Actually her name was Idris Hall. Born in Winnipeg, grew up for a while at Qualicum Beach here on Vancouver Island and boarded in Victoria too. After joining Walter Wanderwell (his real name was Valerian Johann Pieczyski) they travelled through Europe, Egypt, India, SE Asia, China, Japan and the U.S.

After they were married and had two children they drove up the southern half of Africa and had a trip by plane into the heart of the Matto Grosso in Brazil to live with some natives.

Typical of adventurers they were likely terrible parents because they would some time go two years without seeing their children, such was their compulsion to travel. But I think Aloha would have been a fascinating person to talk to. Luckily some of the Wanderwell films are available on the internet. It was so interesting to see what I had been reading about. I'd highly recommend this book.

[Tami Quiring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Aloha Wanderwell - even by her real name, Idris Hall - and she's Canadian. She certainly accomplished many firsts - first woman to drive around the world as well as the first woman to drive through some of the regions and countries she covered. I don't know that she would make an exceptional role model, but she is definitely a poster child for creative thinking, determination and gutsiness. Her story is rather unique, and I do think that she was taken advantage of by many, including her boss/lover/husband. Still her story is an interesting read, and one does have to admire her accomplishments given the fact that they were done during the early 20th century.

[Thomas J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this a five star rating more for the subject matter than the writing, although the writing must have been good (I read it a year ago) or I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much.

Here is a Canadian-born adventuress from the 1920s that none of us ever heard of. She and her husband participated in the "around the world race", did speaking tours, drove or tried to drive from Capetown to Cairo and was thwarted not by the roads but by British bureaucracy. As I understand African geography, this trip would be difficult today in a modern car, let alone 90 years ago in a Model T.

An astonishing life! Well worth reading.

[Laini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really interested for most of the book. She led QUITE the life!

There were typos and inconsistencies that I could ignore, but I lost any interest in this woman when she sent her kids to FOSTER HOMES toward the mid-1930s after the death of her husband. I know people did that during the 1930s, but this wasn't because she was desperate, it was because she was trying to mount another expedition.

Before, when she'd traveled, she'd left them with her mother or her sister. But not that time. And then they had problems finding Valri because she'd been adopted out again and her NAME had been changed??!

Interesting life she led, at the expense of her kids.

[Dennis Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aloha is the “Emilia Earhart of the open road.” At 16 and chaffing under life at a convent school in France, Idris (who would become Aloha) saw an advertisement that said

“Brains, Beauty and Breeches. World Tour Offer for a Lucky Young Woman. A good-looking brainy young woman who is as clever a journalist as her appearance is attractive is wanted. Moreover, she must forswear skirts and incidentally marriage for at least two years and be prepared to rough it in Asia and Africa and wherever else Capt. Walter Wanderwell takers her.”

The year was 1922. Aloha was 16 years old. To forswear skirts was scandalous, let alone joining up with a world-touring man nearly twice the teenager’s age. Understandably, Aloha’s mom was not thrilled with the idea, but Aloha was not one to take no for an answer.

Walter was an adventurer and a salesman. He combined these qualities to form an around-the-world motor car race of sorts. He paid for his adventures by renting out space & selling tickets to shows that involved storytelling and moving pictures. The team also sold merchandise and drew income from advertising for sponsors. Walter loved the company of young women, and he also was keenly aware that beautiful women were good for sales. Aloha was just one of several young women to join this auto world tour, but she succeeded in marrying the Captain and staying with him the longest

As a teenage girl in the 1920’s Aloha drove across Europe, Egypt, the Middle East, India, China, parts of Russia and Japan. Additionally, as the years went by, Aloha and Walter drove through much of Africa, South America, Mexico, the USA, and Canada with their various team members. They persevered through all sorts of challenging hardships, especially considering that there were no roads in many of the places that they went. The Aloha and Walter story entails fame and intrigue, shady characters, jail time, and life-risking adventures. Tragically, after all these crazy exploits together, Walter was murdered. Shot in the back on the West Coast of California. There was a high-profile court case in which the accused murderer was acquitted. Aloha continued as an adventurer/ salesman, but things were not the same without Walter. For several reasons, the Aloha story slipped into obscurity until now.

Aloha and Walter had two children together, but because they were lifelong adventure junkies, the kids were farmed out to foster care and relatives for much of their upbringing. As a dad to four wonderful kids, I can’t imagine abandoning them as the Wanderwells did. We all have priorities, and for Aloha and Walter, there was never any doubt as to what it was.

[Kea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considering how fascinating the subject matter's life seemed, the writing left much to be desired. I expected to be impatiently ripping through pages, and instead I was .... perplexed, at the timelines and the inconsistencies and the gaps in the story. Why HAS no one heard of this woman and her accomplishments? This book will do little to change that fact. I come away from this story still curious about Aloha Wanderwell, and hoping another researcher can give this piece of history a more satisfying literary treatment.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating account of a young lady who traveled the world in a retrofitted Model T. Pretty amazing accomplishment & it’s hard to believe she’s not more famous! The book does leave lots of questions about how much of her life she polished over or edited - we will probably never know! There was obviously a lot of research done to create this interesting biography.
Complementary Audiobook Listening Copy provided by Libro.fm

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is incredible, and a little unbelievable. The whole way through I kept interrupting my reading to tell other people facts of Aloha's amazing journey. The research was meticulous and detailed. The only thing I would say is that the writing could have been better, designed to make the story more personal and engaging. Still, I loved this book!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler alert!
The editor needs to be fired. So many mistakes, inconsistencies and major typos and I'm only 58 pages in.
Edited after I finished it:
This is a fascinating story. The book is well researched but drowning in details and a little disjointed. I found myself losing track of what was going on every so often. The copyediting is horrendous and I lost track of typos (mostly on photos). One photo, in particular, was placed in the text so as to give away what is kind of a big moment - namely the verdict in the murder trial; very disappointing.

[Bob Hathway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating true tale of a young girl from B.C. who traveled around the entire world by car before she was 30. Unknown today, Aloha Wanderwell (Idris Allen) was a star in the 20's. The authors somehow managed, with extensive research, to piece together this remarkable story.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aloha Wanderwell, born as Idris Hall in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1906, is known as the Amelia Earhart of the open road. Starting at age 16, she travelled around the world in 7 years in a modified Ford Model T with the Wanderwell Project, headed by a charismatic Polish adventurer, whom she eventually married. She became a pilot, film star and photographer. She set world records, some of which have yet to be broken. No roads? No problem, there are other ways of getting through a country. Fascinating book with many photos.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story and a great pity that Aloha's life has for the most part lost to the mists of time.

[Heather View · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing to see what this woman accomplished at such a young age! Makes you wish you could go adventuring right away

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and Goose Lane Editions for a free copy of this book.

Aloha Wanderwell is indeed "the astonishing story of one of the greatest and most outrageous explorers of the 1920s". Why then had I never heard of her before? This Canadian, whose real name was Idris Hall, is an inspirational role model for women. From a difficult upbringing, where she seemed to be unwanted, she accomplished a lot by the age of 25. She became a worldwide explorer, a film star, an ambassador for world peace, and a pilot as well as driving herself through many countries around the world.

However, as impressive as her accomplishments are, her personal life was rife with scandal and she certainly wouldn't win any parenting awards. Nonetheless, her story should be told and this book does an excellent job at that!