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The World is My Oyster
The author survives with odd jobs in Tokyo, celebrates Christmas in Rio and learns that fat women are sexy - in Jamaica.
He discovers the charms of freezing Helsinki, experiences warlike conditions in Haiti and shells out $200 for a bottle of bottom-shelf whiskey in Alaska.
He explores the secrets of lobster fishermen in Maine, assists in a cockfight in Puerto Rico and marvels at a Turkish pearl in Brooklyn.
"A fun look at the world."
"Want to go to exotic places? Read this first!"
"Full of funny encounters with real people from around the globe."
(Reviews on Amazon)
The travelogues in this book were commissioned by German NPR and broadcast on the radio. The author adapted the manuscripts to a literary format and added photos.
Biographical info about the author on Wikipedia.
He discovers the charms of freezing Helsinki, experiences warlike conditions in Haiti and shells out $200 for a bottle of bottom-shelf whiskey in Alaska.
He explores the secrets of lobster fishermen in Maine, assists in a cockfight in Puerto Rico and marvels at a Turkish pearl in Brooklyn.
"A fun look at the world."
"Want to go to exotic places? Read this first!"
"Full of funny encounters with real people from around the globe."
(Reviews on Amazon)
The travelogues in this book were commissioned by German NPR and broadcast on the radio. The author adapted the manuscripts to a literary format and added photos.
Biographical info about the author on Wikipedia.
154 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 13, 2020
88 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 31, 2024
My book club's theme last month was travel so I found myself once again exploring travelogues and travel-related plots. This was the my first pick. It was already on my Kindle, having picked it up the last time I'd had the bug to read travel books. (yes, it comes and goes.)
Mr Drawe has had an exciting life, most lately working as a travel journalist and radio personality. In this series, he relates some his adventures during his travels as well as the odd jobs he has worked as he moved through the world.
Overall, I didn't much enjoy this book. Drawe definitely relates some unique experiences, but he comes off as something of a mysoginist obsessed with bust size. It seemed every adventure ultimately came down to hooking up (or not) in some way. So, if that is of interest to you, these books are for you. Personally, it made me not like Mr. Drawe or his world view.
Tell me a travel adventure you have had or tell me somewhere you would like to go and why.
Mr Drawe has had an exciting life, most lately working as a travel journalist and radio personality. In this series, he relates some his adventures during his travels as well as the odd jobs he has worked as he moved through the world.
Overall, I didn't much enjoy this book. Drawe definitely relates some unique experiences, but he comes off as something of a mysoginist obsessed with bust size. It seemed every adventure ultimately came down to hooking up (or not) in some way. So, if that is of interest to you, these books are for you. Personally, it made me not like Mr. Drawe or his world view.
Tell me a travel adventure you have had or tell me somewhere you would like to go and why.
November 13, 2023
Fun Read
A fun read of the author’s travels. He is funny, witty, & keeps you engaged throughout the book. Enjoyed this very much
A fun read of the author’s travels. He is funny, witty, & keeps you engaged throughout the book. Enjoyed this very much
May 31, 2023
This is a travelogue. The travelogues in this book were commissioned by German NPR and broadcast on the radio. The author adapted the manuscripts to a literary format. I normally enjoy a travelogue, it's interesting to travel virtually along with someone and to view new places through their eyes. However this one didn't really do it for me. I think it was because of the format. Each chapter is set in a different place and felt to me like it was more about the peo0ple that the author met than the place. I don't know. It does have some funny anecdotes. Maybe it just needs to be expanded?
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The author survives with odd jobs in Tokyo, celebrates Christmas in Rio and learns that fat women are sexy - in Jamaica.
He discovers the charms of freezing Helsinki, experiences warlike conditions in Haiti and shells out $200 for a bottle of bottom-shelf whiskey in Alaska.
He explores the secrets of lobster fishermen in Maine, assists in a cockfight in Puerto Rico and marvels at a Turkish pearl in Brooklyn.
*************************
The author survives with odd jobs in Tokyo, celebrates Christmas in Rio and learns that fat women are sexy - in Jamaica.
He discovers the charms of freezing Helsinki, experiences warlike conditions in Haiti and shells out $200 for a bottle of bottom-shelf whiskey in Alaska.
He explores the secrets of lobster fishermen in Maine, assists in a cockfight in Puerto Rico and marvels at a Turkish pearl in Brooklyn.
March 5, 2021
Live Vicariously Through Drawe's Travels!
Matthias Drawe has traveled widely - so you don't have to! This armchair traveller really enjoyed living vicariously through reading Drawe's travel memoirs of his trips to Alaska, Atlanta, Tokyo, and beyond! Wow! Mr. Drawe certainly had a wide variety of experiences on his travels - many of them humorous (and some just a tad scary) and met lots of interesting folks along the way!
Note to Mr. Drawe: Next time include even more descriptions of the local cuisine. It would be highly appreciated! P. S. Loved the photos!
Matthias Drawe has traveled widely - so you don't have to! This armchair traveller really enjoyed living vicariously through reading Drawe's travel memoirs of his trips to Alaska, Atlanta, Tokyo, and beyond! Wow! Mr. Drawe certainly had a wide variety of experiences on his travels - many of them humorous (and some just a tad scary) and met lots of interesting folks along the way!
Note to Mr. Drawe: Next time include even more descriptions of the local cuisine. It would be highly appreciated! P. S. Loved the photos!
October 12, 2021
Never expected that I'd like this book a much!
I expected this to be just so much fluff, and I might just discard the book after a few pages. However, these World Travel experiences were fascinating, and very true to life. I'd been lucky enough to have traveled to many places around the world on business, much like the author has done, and I fully identified with his desire to learn about the people and their culture. The stories are much deeper than just a travelogue. You’ll learn something as well as be entertained!
Really well worth reading!
I expected this to be just so much fluff, and I might just discard the book after a few pages. However, these World Travel experiences were fascinating, and very true to life. I'd been lucky enough to have traveled to many places around the world on business, much like the author has done, and I fully identified with his desire to learn about the people and their culture. The stories are much deeper than just a travelogue. You’ll learn something as well as be entertained!
Really well worth reading!
October 12, 2021
I was totally surprised by this book! It was not just entertaining, but also a great way to learn about people around the world. It is not just a travelogue! I was lucky enough to have traveled worldwide for business, and I also tried to learn about the people and their cultures. I really appreciated this author’s stories, and how he described the local customs, both good and bad.
Really worth your time to read this book!
Really worth your time to read this book!
December 26, 2020
Traveling with Matthias
Good, interesting observation -style writing. Funny and smart.
Going straight to Part II, Part I wasn't long enough.
Read it!
Good, interesting observation -style writing. Funny and smart.
Going straight to Part II, Part I wasn't long enough.
Read it!
July 9, 2022
A Good Time
This book is full of pretty entertaining stories. This guy has had some amazing adventures and unbelievable tales. Fun and funny.
This book is full of pretty entertaining stories. This guy has had some amazing adventures and unbelievable tales. Fun and funny.
November 26, 2022
Great read this, love reading travel logs and this is full of wit and at times drama. Happy to give it a 5 stars and read it on holiday and did nt put it down 👏🏻
January 13, 2023
The book jumps around a lot. I wasn’t sure why the author was in each location or what he was trying to accomplish.
February 4, 2023
Not what I was expecting.
December 10, 2023
Rather thin on detail but an ok quick read of the author's travels for a radio station
June 3, 2024
Short glimpses of people in other cultures. I enjoyed it, I'll look for others in the series.
October 6, 2025
Nice easy read
Matthias Drawe's short travelogues are simply written and a pleasant read.
I like how he views the world and find his life situations amusing.
Matthias Drawe's short travelogues are simply written and a pleasant read.
I like how he views the world and find his life situations amusing.
December 3, 2025
easy to read travel stories
Enjoyed the the variety of stories from different countries. I have bought the second in the series so onto part two
Enjoyed the the variety of stories from different countries. I have bought the second in the series so onto part two
May 18, 2023
What a fascinating group of life vignettes from all parts of the world. Each offering is so fully self contained and yet the same person is in each, being his honest self.
Some of the locations are familiar, quite a few people Mr Drawe portrays are clearly drawn and depicted in a way you feel you can see them, and The photos back this up perfectly. Very enjoyable read.
Some of the locations are familiar, quite a few people Mr Drawe portrays are clearly drawn and depicted in a way you feel you can see them, and The photos back this up perfectly. Very enjoyable read.
October 12, 2023
Some parts are more entertaining than others.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews