Crossed off the Map: Travels in Bolivia

by Shafik Meghji

Blending travel writing, history and reportage, Crossed off the Map: Travels in Bolivia journeys from the Andes to the Amazon to explore Bolivia's turbulent past and contemporary challenges. It tells the story of the country's profound and unexpected influence on the wider world over the last 500 years - fragments of history largely forgotten beyond its borders. Once home to one of the wealthiest cities on Earth, Bolivia kickstarted globalisation, helped to power Europe's economic growth and trigger dynastic collapse in China, and played host to everyone from Che Guevara to Butch Cassidy.




The book also explores how ordinary Bolivians in and around the world's highest city, largest salt flat, richest silver mine and most biodiverse national park are coping with some of the touchstone issues of the 21st century: the climate emergency, populism, mass migration, indigenous rights, national identity, rapid urbanisation, and the 'war on drugs'.




In its pages, award-winning journalist and travel writer Shafik Meghji illuminates the dramatic landscapes, distinct cultures and diverse peoples of a country that - in the words of one interviewee - 'was the building block of the modern world, but is now lost in time'.

Genres: Travel, Bolivia, Nonfiction, Latin American

255 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2022

Reviews

[Nik Maack · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you talk to me for more than a few minutes, you'll quickly discover I am obsessed with Bolivia. We went there on vacation in 2018, and the country blew me away. La Paz is an incredible city, as is Sucre. The salt flats are stunning. The country is astounding. There is so much culture, tradition, art, music, food, everything -- it's one of those countries that is beautifully complex.

Because of my interest, I keep an eye on all things Bolivia on Twitter. Which is how I caught wind of this book. Comprehensive, detailed, while also admitting there is so much more to cover, the book is a lot of fun. The author talks about politics, history, travel, people, everything. If you find yourself getting bored by the details of coca production, don't worry. Soon the author will switch to politics, scenery, or other aspects of Bolivia.

It's the kind of book that leads to a lot of pauses. Where on Bolivia is this? Off to Google Maps. What does that bird sound like? To YouTube.

A fun read that I plowed through. Recommended if you're curious about this often overlooked country.

[Elen Boore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good travel book. Every chapter focuses on a region of Bolivia and discusses key historical / political events of said region. Concise chapters makes it very digestible yet informative. Enjoyed the mix of interviews and discussions with Bolivians with more factual, impersonal accounts. A good contextualisation of current Bolivian society.

[Heather Jasper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating journey through an often-overlooked country. Meghji's ten years traveling around Bolivia and thorough research make this the one book everybody thinking of going there must read. If you've already been to Bolivia, you'll still learn odd quirks of Bolivian history and intriguing cultural insights. Nothing has ever made me want to see Bolivia as much as Crossed Off the Map!

[Arnau Bertran Manyé]

Across cities, Shafik takes you with him around Bolivia, offers a wide range of descriptions about the places he goes and visit, and most importantly, offers and exciting story about the events that evolved in the country’s past.

The reading I enjoy a lot, together with his explanatory approach doing ground research about Bolivia’s richness when it comes to its history and peoples.

I must say I also learned a lot, and although I will have to reread some of the chapters again to gain greater clarity, Shafik’s writing is simple but direct, made for a large audience from any background to understand, and offering a diverse set of stories that will - at the very least - leave you with hunger for more. Bolivia, as it seems and it is, is a varied, exalting, adventurous, deeply rooted place to its past and present where the book encourages travelers to go and explore for themselves.

Personally, I loved the part where the author gives foot to explaining cultural perspectives that the peoples in Bolivia live with. An excellent approach, together with explaining the political environment of the country, that will uniquely allow for the reader to gain a conscious idea of where Bolivia stands now; and ultimately, where it is likely to head to.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a reader who appreciates history and travel, as well as a writer on these subjects, I thought "Crossed off the Map: Travels in Bolivia" to be a compelling blend of travel writing, history, and reportage.

This enlightening voyage takes readers across a continent. The book uses evocative storytelling to demonstrate Bolivia's enormous and unexpected influence on the rest of the world during the previous 50 years.
This country, formerly home to one of the richest cities on the planet, played a major part in world events, kicking off globalization, driving Europe's economic expansion, and even precipitating dynasty collapse in China. Its history is both intriguing and difficult, with renowned personalities like Che Guevara and infamous outlaws like Butch Cassidy.

I knew very little about Bolivia before reading this book. But Shafik expertly combines his extensive knowledge of Bolivia, gained via years of travel, into a captivating tapestry of jaw-dropping stories.

"Crossed off the Map" is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about this relatively unknown country. It provides valuable insight into Bolivia's rich history and worldwide significance.

[Tom Romig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meghji tells the often astonishing but largely little known story of the people, history, striking ups and downs of Bolivia. He makes a compelling case for Bolivia's central role in shaping the world, from the era when the country produced 80% of the world's silver--thus providing Spain with the financing for wars with European rivals and for colonization and further exploitation of other countries--right up to the present day when Bolivia provides 20%-30% of the world's lithium.

[Lachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating travel book which weaves in the history, politics, archeology, culture, and story of Bolivia while recounting the author’s travels in the country.

There’s something for everyone in Crossed Off The Map: Travel in Bolivia with indigenous and colonial history, politics told through the regions and their leaders, and interesting tidbits of information that will have you wanting to know more. The opening story of the mounds in the llanos de moxos is particularly fascinating and sets the scene for what's to come. Meghji’s descriptions of his travels are superb and leap off the pages thrusting you into the trufi, taxi, train, boat, or car next to him and take you along on the journey while chatting with locals and sampling the regional cuisine. Because of this, the book flows and is a pleasure to read. Overall, a fascinating book for travel lovers, Latin Americanists, and really anyone wanting to know more about an underlooked corner of the globe. Highly recommended.

[Geraldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has been covering Bolivia as a guidebook writer for years but here he takes the reader with him as he tracks down fascinating stories that dive deep into Bolivia's past, presents and future.
Could not put it down.