A World Worth Seeing, a Book Review

As most of my readers know, I always have a book in my hand, whether on the road or at home.  My latest read is Brian Nelson’s a World Worth Seeing.  I received the book to review. I must say, I read it from cover to cover.  I am always interested in hearing how someone else goes about their travels. Brian’s travels are quite impressive with 190 countries under his belt.  He is not a wealthy man, just a man with a mission to see more of the world.  This over-the-road truck driver explained, “The love of travel has gone from my love of the highway as an over-the-road truck driver to a love of international experience.”

I love that he makes it clear anyone can do this with big or little funding.  “Travel isn’t meant for the wealthy alone, but for anyone with a heart for adventure and understanding.”

While he is more adventurous than I, he has opened my eyes to different ways of travel.  He tries to keep it local.  He stays in hostels and keeps with mostly low cost travel.  This doesn’t always mean low luxury.  One of my best friends, an international flight attendant said in one of the Asian countries where they travel, they frequent the hostel bar across from where they stay.  “Drinks are much cheaper and very good.”

She told me when this after I told her about this book.

Brian touched a chord with me.  He grew up on a farm in North Dakota. Being married to a farmer and living on a farm, I know that this is a wonderful life that many don’t get to experience.  When you work, you work hard and stay on the farm for an extended period of time.  When the work is done, it is nice to head out.

Brian started out just wanting to take an international vacation. Then once he started, he never looked back.  What he found out when he went beyond the US borders is, “Honestly, the world I have gotten to know is much better than the media gives it credit for.”

I agree with his comment you can put a price on transportation and food, but not on “the experience”.

In his book, Brian shares that his travels were often in groups.  This allowed him “to cram a lot of sightseeing into a short time”.  He also did a couple volunteer stints.  When he traveled independently, he liked to be a tourist “without being a tourist”.  He used  transportation, shopping in supermarkets and staying in hostels or lower cost hotels ( of course ensuring personal safety as well).

He explains the ins and outs of Visas, keeping records and being respectful of local customs and always local religions.

The introductory chapter tells who he is and how he started his travels. I read each subsequent chapter and traveled with him.  We went to North and South America, Australia and the Pacific Islands, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and Africa.  Some places I had never imagined going.  Now,  I am more interested in traveling to some of these places after reading his experiences.

This book is a bit like reading a personal journal with bits of advice thrown in.  You feel like you are reading a friends notes to you sent at the end of a trip.

The book is quite readable and interesting.  It is realistic and gives a keen perspective of what to expect in the places he has traveled. Brian allows you to decide for yourself whether you would enjoy the experience or not. He traveled for the past 13 years and has taken his experiences and shared them.

A World Worth Seeing is available on Amazon and sells for $14.95.  It is a fun read and will fill you with new ideas.  Soon you will be ready to book a trip whether a fall drive or around the world!