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Title: Everything Is Wonderful

Subtitle: Memories of a Collective Farm in Estonia

Author: Sigrid Rausing

Narrator: Sigrid Rausing

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-24-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

Just like it was taken for granted that houses could be abandoned and slowly decay, so it was taken for granted that people died in prisons, and that it was possible that no one would really ever know the cause of death. This is the nature of totalitarianism.

In 1993-94 Sigrid Rausing completed her anthropological fieldwork on the peninsula of Noarootsi, a former Soviet border protection zone in Estonia. Abandoned watchtowers dotted the coastline, and the huge fields of the Lenin collective farm were lying fallow, waiting for claims from former owners, fleeing war and Soviet and Nazi occupation. Rausings conversations with the local people touched on many subjects: the economic privations of post-Soviet existence, the bewildering influx of western products, and the Swedish background of many of them. In Everything Is Wonderful Rausing reflects on history, political repression, and the story of the minority Swedes in the area. She lived and worked amongst the villagers, witnessing their transition from repression to freedom, and from Soviet neglect to post-Soviet austerity.

Members Reviews:

Relentless

The Swedish author lived a year in Estonia to study transition to independence after collapse of USSR back in 1993. It was part of her work towards an advanced degree in social anthropology and she lived among towns people whose collective farm had closed. She was about 31 years old.

This seems a sentimental trip down a very distant memory lane. I found it long and morose but I suspect it is not primarily intended for me but is the authors own historical marker. In that capacity it does well. However, to this listener there was way to much Deep Thinking going on. For instance during her stay in Estonia she decided to use the same poor quality washing soap as the locals she studies. That's easy. But not so fast! She chose to use it "for my own complicated existential reasons." This sort of thing takes some getting used to. I never did get used to it.

The author recounts a restaurant meal where the waitress seems to deliberately bring the wrong food. Three times! She recounts this episode with a detached sense of disinterested fatalism and without any thought or much comment except it was inconvenient to her and her friend. Simply one more feather in the personal gloom tote bag. But how on earth could this bizarre and counter productive behaviour happen given the economic circumstances? Speaking of complicated existential considerations to think about this one takes the cake!

Complimentary title "The Almost Nearly Perfect People Scandinavian Utopia" Michael Booth. Read that first.

Enigmatic, tragic and hauntingly beautiful...

Thank god there are happier days for Estonians now. Made me want to travel there. The google images of the country are enchanting. And thank god there is one country, as tiny as it is, who is defending free speech by refusing to submit to the moral blackmail of antisemitism. However, idiology aside, I bought the audible version, read by the author, and oh my gosh is her voice so perfect in this tale. Her accent is Swedish/English, and I frequently use it to fall asleep with as it is so soothing to listen to her describe the experience.

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Title: Seriously Mum, What's an Alpaca?

Author: Alan Parks

Narrator: Nigel Patterson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-17-14

Publisher: Alan Parks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

Seriously Mum, What's an Alpaca? is the frank and charming story of a brave couple who risk everything to move to Spain to breed alpacas. Their intention is to make a living, but first they must negotiate their way through the Spanish property market, local characters, rogue builders and the worst weather Andalucía has seen for 100 years.

Alan and Lorna experience the joy, but also the heartbreak of alpaca breeding, picking up an assortment of stray animals on the way.

Members Reviews:

Enchanting Alpaca Adventure

What did you love best about Seriously Mum, What's an Alpaca??

This was a wonderful, funny & touching story. A grand adventure by an English couple as they learn the ups & downs of becoming rural farmers in a new country. As an alpaca farmer myself, still in the beginning of my alpaca odyssey, I fully appreciated all the highs and lows of their tale.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I so enjoyed hearing from the perspectives of the animals on the farm as well as the humans! Quite fun. But the people in this story are beautifully flawed, and willing to persevere through all their obstacles. And what obstacles!

What about Nigel Pattersons performance did you like?

Well done. Clearly read.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Truly wished I could have! As it was I finished in just a couple of days.

Any additional comments?

I hope more audiobooks are forthcoming about these intrepid farmers!

Fun and interesting read

What made the experience of listening to Seriously Mum, What's an Alpaca? the most enjoyable?

I loved the story and the adventuresome spirit of the couple who raised the Alpacas.

I also learned a lot about animals I knew nothing about. It is always fun to read (or listen in this case) and learn real facts at the same time. I love stories about animals because they are so real and interesting.

What other book might you compare Seriously Mum, What's an Alpaca? to and why?

No idea.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were so many and all involved the antics of the Alpacas.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily. I enjoyed listening anytime and being able to pick it up. I looked forward to listening to it when life was quiet around me.

Didn't even finish it

I just did not like the story or performance. I don't even want to finish it.

Light Entertainment

Nigel Patterson, as always, does a great job as narrator. He makes this mildly interesting story quite entertaining.

Seriously CUTE Essay

I thought this audiobook was awesomely cute. I love the way Alan and Lorna decided to pick up from Brighton and move to Spain to raise alpacas. What a neat thing to do. This was also a fairly short listen. But adorable!

It was cute how they kept gathering animals and named two of their chickens Beyonce and Jay-Lo because of their butt wiggling. They lived in a town filled with mostly ex-pats and their Spanish was formal while the locals spoke slang making for somewhat of a language barrier.

Overall I would recommend giving this a listen as it was a neat glimpse into what it would be like to make such a huge decision as this. Along the way, the story goes over the trials they endure along with their always growing animal family.

Nigel Patterson did a wonderful job voicing this audiobook. He was perfect with great accents. I found it a relaxing and enjoyable listen.

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Title: Blue Horizons

Subtitle: Dispatches from Distant Seas

Author: Beth Leonard

Narrator: Joanna Withey

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 9 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-05-14

Publisher: New Street Communications, LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

Sail to the ends of the Earth and back again without leaving your favorite chair.

When Beth Leonard and her partner, Evans Starzinger, returned from a three-year, 35,000-mile circumnavigation, they thought they were done with offshore voyaging. But neither realized how irrevocably they had been changed by their experience, nor how irresistible the siren song of the sea would prove. In comparison, life ashore seemed dull and monochrome, and within months, Beth knew she had to go back to sea in order to remain true to the person she had become.

Four years later they set out on their 47-foot aluminum sloop, Hawk, for a journey that lasted six years and took them more than 50,000 miles. They voyaged to Newfoundland, Iceland, Norway, the Caribbean, Ireland, Scotland, Cape Horn, New Zealand, the South Pacific, British Columbia - to the ends of the Earth and back.

Blue Horizons is Beth Leonard's record of that journey. Compiled from her popular columns in Blue Water Sailing magazine, which she wrote along the way, Blue Horizons is more than an adventure saga, more than the log of an extended passage.

Members Reviews:

Enthusiastic but flawed

Would you try another book from Beth Leonard and/or Joanna Withey?

Yes. The book was interesting and I would try another book by Beth Leonard. However I was disappointed by a couple of things. First the book skipped large portions of the journey, and left me wondering what happened in the interim. More disturbing was errors in fact. Many will rely on this good as information before cruising (or in lieu of cruising for arm chair voyagers). As a factual book, presumably relied upon by cruisers, this is particularly disturbing. One small example is Leonard's definition of Pisco as 'fermented white wine'. This is not only incorrect, but makes no sense (Pisco is the distillate from wine, which Chile produces in abundance). There are a number of other errors that indicate a lack of 'fact checking' on the part of the author.

What didnt you like about Joanna Witheys performance?

Joanna Witney gave an enthusiastic (if sometime breathless) performance. However, the mispronunciation of common English words, French terms, and Spanish was very annoying and distracting. I would have expect the reader to research the pronunciation of common (and for the story very important) words such as 'archipelago'. Many people will use the book as a reference, before cruising (or as an armchair substitute for causing) so accuracy is important. The book is over acted, which is a it off putting.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Probably

Any additional comments?

It is very important in a book such as this that both the facts and the pronunciation are correct. Unfortunately, the author and the performer (respectively) fell down in these areas.

Makes me wanna go!

Makes me want to get out there and do it myself!

The narrator wasn't the greatest.She doesn't put enough panache into it, and she mispronounces quite a few words, but overall well worth a listen. In fact I've read the old fashioned physical book once and now have listened to the audio version twice.

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Title: Italy's Amalfi Coast

Subtitle: Positano, Ravello, Salerno, Amalfi & Paestum (Travel Adventures)

Author: Marina Carter

Narrator: Tom Zingarelli

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-03-14

Publisher: Hunter Publishing, Inc.

Ratings: 2.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

This guide is based on our larger guide to Naples and the surrounding area, but it zeros in on the Sorrento Peninsula & the Amalfi Coast. Plush resorts line the coast and islands, Greek and Roman excavations, plus street theater and musical performances are everywhere. Positano, the most photographed fishing village in the world, clings to a rock above the sea. The unforgettable coastal town of Ravello is here. The superlative Greek temples at Paestum. The author shows you how to experience the area intensely and unforgettably, while providing details about the foods, the sights, the many unforgettable walks and hikes, the best places to stay (whether you want a charming B&B, a 16th-century palazzo or a luxurious spa) and restaurants - all with the insights of an insider. An extensive introduction covers Naples and its surrounding area, including the Sorrento Peninsula, the Bay of Naples, Ischia, Capri, Pompeii, Herculaneum and more. Sections explore the people and their culture, the history of this area, how to get here and get around, where to stay and where to eat, shopping, entertainment, adventures, from walking and hiking to diving, fishing and boating. All the practicalities you need to know are detailed as well from money matters to health issues, internet access to the clothes you will need.

Members Reviews:

Potentially useful if you have the patience

this probably isn't the best general travel guide for the area, as a much more brief intro to the Amalfi Coast would be easier to digest. But it was a sometimes interesting and evocative description of an area the author clearly has much affection for. For more practical guidance see the ubiquitous Rick Steeves.

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Title: Gone to the Sea

Author: Herb McCormick

Narrator: Ward Paxton

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-14

Publisher: New Street Communications, LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

A fifth-generation native of Newport, Rhode Island, Herb McCormick has been racing and cruising from above the Arctic Circle to Antarctica and chronicling his adventures and travels in magazines, newspapers and on the Internet for over three decades.

An anthology of his best profiles and articles, including first person accounts of sailing in such classic events as the Sydney-Hobart Race and rounding Cape Horn, Gone to the Sea is an eclectic collection of stories that range from a prophetic cruise with his daughter; to an in-depth post mortem of solo sailor Mike Plant s final, mysterious voyage; to what it's really like to spend a hectic day with Americas Cup legend Dennis Conner. The former editor-in-chief of Cruising World magazine and yachting correspondent for the New York Times, McCormick has notched over 75,000 offshore miles in his sailing career, including the historic 2009-2010 Around the Americas expedition that circumnavigated North and South America via the Northwest Passage and Cape Horn. As an award-winning journalist, he s been honored with the National Marine Manufacturer Association's prestigious Director's Award and the Boat US Monk Farnham Award for Excellence in Editorial Commentary, and his stories and articles have earned numerous first place prizes in Boating Writers International's annual writing contest. With his daughter, Maggie, he still lives in the heart of downtown Newport.

Members Reviews:

Sailing Superstars

In the sport of sailing we don't have generally known super stars like Michael Jordon, Payton Manning, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter. The super sailors of our passion are limited to sailing and the related off shore, blue water passages they undertake. Names like Don Street, Reid Stowe, Dennis Connors and others.

Herb Mc Cormick provides a true person-to-person insight into the hearts, souls and minds of our "sailing hero's", including some of great and not so great that define my passion.

The chapter on Dennis Conner, Mr. America's Cup was so insightful that even I, who sailed with Connors once long ago, saw a very different person, a very true cornerstone of sailing.

Herb's sail with Don Street and his son Mark, was so real that I felt the spray and smelled the beer Don would drink.

People are one thing but places are also covered in this effort. Races and the experiences of racing both good and bad are covered, all with a personal insight that is rare.

Herb brings the real person to the pages, not the legend, the myth, but the person, that is a talent few writers have.

A very enjoyable journey of sailing in perhaps what was the golden age of modern sail.

Great job Herb, you will need to be listed in the super stars of sailing as well.

Thad

Worth Owning

After recently being introduced to sailing, and without knowing much about Herb McCormick, I decided to check out his book from the library. Well, I must say that after reading the first few pages it became apparent that I had stumbled onto something special and was quickly becoming a fan of his ablilities to tell engaging short stories. Needless to say, when it came time to return the book I decided I needed to buy a copy of my own.

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Title: Anything Worth Doing

Author: Jo Deurbrouck

Narrator: Jo Deurbrouck

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-14

Publisher: Open Book Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 23 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

Anything Worth Doing tells the unforgettable true story of larger-than-life whitewater raft guides Clancy Reece and Jon Barker, two men who share a love of wild rivers and an unbending will to live life on their terms, no matter the cost.

Clancy's motto, "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing," leads them into a decade of beautiful - and beautifully strange - river adventures. Then, on June 8, 1996, in pursuit of a 24-hour speed record they intend to share only with a handful of friends, the men launch Clancy's handmade dory, his proudest possession, onto Idaho's renowned Salmon River at peak flood of an extreme high-water year. This time the odds catch up with them.

With clarity reminiscent of Krakauer's Into the Wild, whitewater veteran Jo Deurbrouck carries us down the West's great rivers and into the hearts, minds, and homes of that rare breed for whom security is optional but freedom and passion are not. Anything Worth Doing - taut and efficient, yet rich with insight - is destined to become an adventure classic.

Members Reviews:

excellent exciting and sensitive

well read, you will understand the pull of rafting and love the people. her illustrations take in sight sound and smell. and is as good a narrator as any great story teller.

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Title: Home Sweet Anywhere

Subtitle: How We Sold Our House, Created a New Life, and Saw the World

Author: Lynne Martin

Narrator: Lynne Martin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-15-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 223 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

An enchanting account of how one couple sold everything to fulfill a dream of living abroad - one country at a time

Reunited in love after 35 years and suffering from a serious case of pre-retirement wanderlust, Lynne and Tim Martin made a life-altering decision: They sold their house and possessions and hit the road to live internationally full-time. Now tethered to nothing but their suitcases, each other, and their next exotic location, they've never looked back. From sky-high pyramids in Mexico to monkeys in Marrakech, this delightful, inspiring memoir is a romantic tale of derring-do for grown-ups and a road map for anyone who dreams of turning the idea of life abroad into a reality.

Critic Reviews:

"Nearly every page has some crack piece of travel wisdom: the power of civility, patience and flexibility; the difference between knowing the facts about a place and knowing 'those facts in a way that only being on the ground and experiencing them offers a person.'" (Kirkus Reviews)

"Lynne Martin, narrating her own work, takes listeners through the couple's adventures in such locations as Mexico, Argentina, and Turkey, among other far-flung places. Martin's agreeable voice is relaxed and pleasant as she describes some of the obstacles she and her husband have taken in stride as they pursue their new life." (AudioFile)

Members Reviews:

She makes it sound SO unappealing!

As a globetrotter myself, I was intrigued with the idea behind this book. Unfortunately, the authors come across as hopelessly naive. They didn't do their homework (why would retired people opt to spend the beastly hot summer months living in Italy -- and then complain how beastly hot it is?). They blithely assumed they could live as long as they wanted to, anywhere in Europe. (Never heard of visas and their restrictions -- really?) Their travels sound very stressful (who wants to uproot and start over as soon as you figure out the driving patterns, lifestyle, and maybe meet a few people?) What initially seems romantic and appealing actually sounds lonely and isolating as they describe it. Lynne Martin is not a great writer, which hampers the book. Her reading is much too enthusiastic and gee-whiz. Foods are "the best" and a friend, "the funniest". The "how to" in the title is a bit deceptive. To me, it was more of a "how NOT to" guide.

Looking for Courage to Make a Change? LISTEN!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! A friend recommended this audiobook to me yesterday and I could not stop listening! I completed the whole book in one day off work. I've been saying for years a vacation is not enough time to really see and experience a culture, language and all the nuances of a destination. I think it takes living there for an unrushed period of time. Lynne and Tim Martin didn't just talk about it, they DID it! I loved hearing the practical aspects of planning, down-sizing, transportation challenges, apartments, cooking, shopping, clothing, stresses, squabbles, staying in touch with family from afar, computers, new friends, etcetc. By the end of this book wonderfully, believably and enthusiastically narrated by the author, I actually felt I knew them both.

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Title: The Train in Spain

Subtitle: Ten Great Journeys Through the Interior

Author: Christopher Howse

Narrator: Ralph Lister

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-09-14

Publisher: Audible Studios for Bloomsbury

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

This is not a book about trains but about the variety of Spain. The best-selling author Christopher Howse makes 10 great railway journeys that explore the interior of the peninsula, its astonishing landscapes and ancient buildings. The focus is the way the Spanish live now: their habits, streets, characters, stories - and quite a bit about their eating and drinking.

Christopher Howse has been traveling around Spain for 25 years, and has now made a 3,000-mile circumnavigation by train from the top of the Pyrenees through the vulture-haunted wilds of Extremadura and the Spaghetti Western deserts of the south, to the ancient hilltop city of Cuenca and beyond. On the way he meets troglodytes, visits a city ruined by an earthquake, runs into a dancing lion, stumbles across a body-snatching plot and tries out a recipe for acorn pie. An entertaining exploration of a much-loved country, The Train in Spain gives a fascinating and entirely original portrait of a strange land at a time of great change.

Members Reviews:

Vignettes of small Spain

Though I'm not a fan of trains - I was brought up in the UK and they are depressing there, I spend a lot of time in Spain and all the public transport is good, so I thought I'd give it a go.

It's not really about trains it is all about the smaller destinations, architecture, food, history, employment prospects, white elephants etc

Quite a short book, but has given me another half dozen must visit places in Spain

Good Journey

Take a train trip from your chair. The author brings Spain alive with his observations on the country, the people and the wonderful history of Spain. A good read.

I recommend, however

Entertaining bit of travel writing by one who clearly knows his subject. Mr Howse writes clearly and authoritatively on his travels by minor rail. I recommend, however, that if yo hare not fully familiar with the territory (like me) you might keep a map alongside.

Enjoyable armchair travel, not about railway equipment but sympathetic ...

Enjoyable armchair travel, not about railway equipment but sympathetic view of contemporary life along the rail lines. Includes small town churches and their architecture.

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Title: Nagri Nagri Phira Musafir

Author: Ibn-e-Insha

Narrator: Arif Bahalim

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-01-14

Publisher: Urdu Studio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

Ibn-e-Insha, real name Sher Muhammad Khan, born on June 15th, 1927, died on Jan 11th, 1978, was a Leftist Urdu poet, humorist, travelogue writer, and columnist. He is regarded as one of the best humorists in Urdu. His writing has a distinctive diction laced with language reminiscent of Amir Khusro in its use of words and construction. He was associated with several governmental services including Radio Pakistan, Ministry of Culture, and National Book Centre of Paksitan. He also served the UN for some time and this enabled him to visit a lot of places and was the reason for his subsequent travalogues. Some of the places he visited include Japan, Phillippines, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Iran, India, France, UK, Turkey, and the US. Nagri Nagri Phira Musafir is a humorous and fascinating account of many such travels.

Please note: This audiobook is in Urdu.

Members Reviews:

some problems with audio

the book is terrific but the recording isn't edited properly. there are dead gaps in the middle. sometimes sentences are repeated as well.

Can't beat Ibn-e-Insha's wit. Excellent humour.

Great book from one and only Ibn-e-Insha. Extremely humorous. It made me laugh at night and in bus/train to work. And mind you I don't laugh easily

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Title: Persimmon Wind

Subtitle: A Martial Artist's Journey in Japan

Author: Dave Lowry

Narrator: Brian Nishii

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-20-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Essays & Travelogues

Publisher's Summary:

Persimmon Wind - part memoir, part martial arts history, and part travelogue - relates Dave Lowry's experiences as he travels to Japan to reunite with his sensei, visit the graves of others of his martial lineage, and explore a country and culture that profoundly influenced his life.

Lowry's account reveals a Japan unlikely to be witnessed by the average Westerner. Drawing on his deep knowledge of the martial arts, Lowry acts as an interpreter of sorts, deftly describing for the listener the myriad ways in which Japan's subtle, yet rich customs and rituals inform and enrich the seemingly mundane practices of life. On his journey, he interweaves musings from his daily encounters - his introduction to an old ryokan-keeper; a contemplative visit to Kyoto's Daitokuji, "Temple of Great Virtue"; he even spots a ghost or two - with reflections on local history and the philosophies and origins of the Shinkage-ryu, one of Japan's oldest schools of classical swordsmanship.

At the same time, Lowry's experiences in Japan serve as an unexpected opportunity, bringing him to terms with the extraordinary relationship that exists between teacher and student, with his own past, his place in the long line of swordsmen from whom he has come, and with the challenge he faces in integrating the cultural streams of East and West.

Members Reviews:

Who checked the publication?

First, let me start by saying that I am a big fan of Mr. Lowry's work and I have thoroughly enjoyed all his writings that I've read to date. I have been amused, inspired, and moved by each book. When I ordered this "sequel" to Autumn Lightning, I was expecting more of the same. It's not. It's distinctly different in style and in character, whether that be due to advances in writing technique, artistry, or simple maturation. I enjoyed the book immensely. What I most definately did NOT enjoy was the numerous typos, misspellings, and plain lack of work done by the publishing house to review the results of their process. There are paragraphs where there are 3-4 mistakes within 4 or 5 lines. This is unacceptable. I sincerely hope a second edition corrects these grevious errors, because they detract from Mr. Lowry's work. I think he especially would be ironically appreciative of the errors because they are like rocks placed incorrectly in a suieseki landscape. As a writer, Mr. Lowry rates a 5...but the lackadaisical efforts of the publishing house reduces that rating to a 3.

Persimmon Wind: A Martial Artist's Journey In Japan

I have been a fan of Dave Lowry's writing for some time, then I had decided to read this book. This is by far one of the best reads of my life. The suthor has a great ability to capture small nuances of the japanese experience and convey's beautifully to the reader. The details of the bathhouse experience, and well as the samll dojo where he and his sensei practiced iaido, was a great treasure to be read. The book served as additional travel guide on my visit to japan, especially when visiting kyoto and the butokuden. I would highly advise this to all, including budokas, and writers. I presently read this book atleast once a year.

The sequel

This book is an excellent read for those who love Japanese history and their connection to the martial arts.