Around the World at 75: Alone Dammit!

LaPlante has done an excellent job of letting you "feel" you are with him around the world. His stories are filled with anecdotes that bring life to every page. He gives you more than just a tourist's perspective, he gives you interesting details about the people he has met, the cultural back-stories about each place, and wonderful information that sticks with you. A great read: informative, fun and memorable.

John-Guy LaPlante's book takes the reader to the more intriguing nooks and crannies of the great sites he visited on his incredible 36,750-mile solo adventure around the world. I found his book to be an immensely enjoyable read and an inspiration for travelers of any age: an indispensable guide for anyone planning to visit the fascinating cities along the author's route. The "My BackPack" section at the back of the book provides hints, how-to's and advice to make travel easy, efficient and safe. Outstanding!

I really enjoyed this book. The writing is honest and lively. If you are thinking of traveling the world, and still working out your stops, share John's experience in different countries and cities and decide which destinations sound good to you. You don't have to travel the world, you can just head to one or two of the places. This book is packed with many excellent travel tips. I have never stayed in a hostel, but would now. John is right that the opportunity to meet other friendly travelers is guaranteed at a hostel and not as likely when you get into your isolated hotel room. And what a small world we live in. John met Wu from China in Nairobi, and I met Wu when I visited Shanghai. Wu told me about John and his book. An excellent recommendation!

Reading this book is like taking your own trip around the world with a very observant and intrepid guide. And amazingly, he's 75. The genius is in the details -- the McDonald's in Lima offers six different kinds of coffee -- and in the diversity of people that LaPlante befriends both on and off the beaten path -- like Kevin, the brothel owner that shows him around Durban, South Africa (LaPlante was not a patron!). Nobody makes friends out of strangers like LaPlante. His adventures had me itching to travel, anywhere. Although, after reading this book, it felt like I'd already been there. It's the perfect mix of guidebook and travelogue, almost a sensory experience. There's practical advice for each location he visited and at the back there's a section that includes lots of tips you can't find in the average guidebook. Highly recommended not just for world travellers, but if you're looking for a new place to visit and not sure how or what you'll find there, read this book and you'll know exactly where you want to go.

Mr. LaPlante's book was like reading a travelogue! His travel accounts are filled with wonderful information and funny little quips of situations he found himself in while traveling. Living in the town next door to Mr. LaPlante's, I read some of his travel writings in the local newspaper and would send them to my daughter in college because she loves to travel around the world, too. I think the two of them would get along nicely together as they enjoy traveling alone, and they like staying in hostels! Relaxing and informative reading!