Lynne Martin

I wanted to love this book. I love the concept of a "home-free" retirement but this book is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

Lynn Martin's writing can be pleasant but her recreated dialog is painful to read. Her inflated sense of self and constant bragging about her "non-tourist" status is grating. The constant referrals back to the WSJ article on nearly every page is excruciating and her complaints about how her book deal is cramping her style is just ridiculous.

I'm at 82% and I'm determined to finish (why I don't know) but I do not recommend this at all.… (more)

What a great title for a book and being 'of an age' myself I was particularly drawn to the concept of selling up and becoming a citizen of the world! The Martins took a huge plunge when they stepped off the deep end and sold everything they had to help finance their travels, said goodbye to family and friends and set sail for greener pastures. I was probably expecting a little more detail in the book about the how to side of things, but with hindsight I realise it's all about the planting of an idea. Lynne Martin has scattered throughout her story all sorts of helpful hints and websites, the best of these being her Blog address! I doubt that I will ever have the finances to support a life on the road for the rest of my life, but I think planning for an early retirement is something that I can definitely get started on, and it's all about taking that first step!… (more)

I admire the Martins for their moxy in giving up the comforts of home to be nomads traveling and embracing the cultures of countries around the world. I have two minor issues with their adventures. First the book starts off with this tale about how they came to be world travelers making it sound as if they had this tremendous brainstorm, but you find out much later in the story that they were actually following in the footsteps of Mrs. Martin's parents , who had done something similar years before. I don't know why, but it bothers me that she waited until 2/3 of the way through her story to give credit to the originators of the idea her parents.
My second issue is that in all of their travels she never writes about any attempts to learn the native languages of the countries that they are temporarily calling home. They make many other efforts to assimilate themselves to the local culture but never take the time to learn the local language, or at least she never mentions any attempts in the book.
That being said their story is inspirational and I envy their willingness to pick up and go.… (more)