Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel

In addition to the other things frequently mentioned (the mile wide margins, the bloggy format), I have a couple other gripes with the format as well as the content of this book.

First, only about 1/2 of each chapter is actually Potts' writing. About half at the end of each chapter is a series of links to likely outdated/defunct websites and books that are surely better than this one. Some is also quotes from people who wrote to him in response to some of his travel articles previously written elsewhere about traveling.

For some reason, each chapter has large block quotes of out-of-context passages from books vaguely related to traveling, vague Asian philosophy quotes, or, about half the time a quote from Walt Whitman or Thoreau's show more Walden. Despite having inch wide margins (or two inch wide margins on the first page of a chapter), these quotes are not marginalia which would flow much better, but oddly placed block quotes in the middle of paragraphs, rarely related to what is being talked about, in a large sans serif font that clashes with the font used for the body text. These quotes rarely add much to the text.

On to the text of the book itself. Despite mentioning seeing the explosion of self-help books and how formulaic they were and trying to avoid being like them, this book could have been written by an AI trained on every self help book out there and applying things to travel. All the generic platitudes are there, all the promises of what you'll learn without any actionable advice, all the vague recommendations that apply to almost any problem in life: "Be Creative," "Have an Open Mind" etc.

The rare advice that is there is contradictory, unbelievably dated now, or unbelievably bad always. He talks at some points about how anyone can vagabond, not just students and retirees, before later talking about how it's easiest to vagabond if you're a student or retiree because you're less tied down. The book promises it will teach you the essentials to "financing your travel time." His advice is "don't be in debt, and you don't need money, just stay in hostels for $5 a month! I'm not sure if the hostel rates were ever possible but one can't simply will themselves out of debt, and many of the countries he mentions as being cheap have industrialized and cost of living has gone up significantly since this book's publication. In addition, he mentions simply "asking your boss for 6-18 months off and putting your vagabonding on your resume, people will love it not wonder why there's a gap there!" This advice is poor for any sort of conservative field. As an author this may be appealing to people in his field, but if you work a desk job your boss will wonder when you're just going to bail to travel the world for half a year or more.

Finally, much of this advice seems horribly out of touch given the modern economic situation. He suggests paying off your debt and saving about $5k to travel. This is laughable in a time when most people are working multiple jobs just to pay rent, and have tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. Saving up the amount of money he recommends, taking time off, etc. seem very unattainable in 2020.

The book may have only been 240 pages but it dragged on worse than an Ayn Rand novel. Reading literally any other book would likely be more applicable to traveling than this one. show less

This is the book I would carry with me if I had to sustain myself through misfortune. Frederick the Great carried the works of the Stoics in his saddlebags for the same purpose. I have read bits of this book for more than a decade and the words of Ralph Potts have inspired my blogging and my travel writing since I first left old Girty's shores in 2006. There are so many quotes in this work, and so many pointers to other books to read, it is like a crystallisation of everything Potts ever read or learnt all jam-packed in a relatively quick read. For me, this book is nothing short of inspiring. Always has been, always will:

As Salvador Dali quipped, 'I never took drugs because I am drugs.' With this in mind, strive to be drugs as you

show more

travel, to patiently embrace the raw, personal sensation of unmediated reality - an experience far more affecting than any intoxicant can promise" (pp. 169-70).

Potts has something special. He is the me I only hope I can be. I don't mean that I want to quit my job and become a vagabond. Far from it. Potts is a philosopher. Vagabonding is a 21st century philosophy book in the tradition of [b:Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values|629|Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance An Inquiry Into Values|Robert M. Pirsig|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1410136019s/629.jpg|175720], only better. Potts has what I want, and ever since reading bits of his work all those years ago, I have been inspired by his philosophy. For me, education and travel make us free. Not politicians or political systems. If I had the option of returning to my youth (which I do not want!), I might consider becoming a vagabond. But I am the sum of my experience and rather blessed for it. So for me, the philosophy is key. But a practical philosophy. Think of tending your own garden, like [b:Candide|19380|Candide|Voltaire|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1345060082s/19380.jpg|2833018]. Then read this book. show less

This is a book of inspiring travel quotes for the middle-class white male. Not a lot of practical advice, and women travelers get "othered" pretty hard (a page of travel safety tips for women contradicts the carefree tone of the rest of the book, while Potts condescendingly expresses jealousy that female travelers can interact with women in the Middle East; his coverage of historical women travelers consists of a list of names and a single quote, while he profiles plenty of historical male travelers). I read it all, but for me it was really over when he referred to local attire in other countries as "charmingly ethnic." Potts is the kind of traveler I prefer to leave behind.

I am in love with Rolf Potts. I want to travel the world with him for no other reasons than his love of travel, his (seemingly) easy going nature, and the crazy situations he finds himself in. In Vagabonding, Potts outlines all the whats, whys, and hows of traveling, with TONS of resources for every step of the way. This guy is obviously well-traveled and well-read, with quotes from everybody and every religion under the sun. I have yet to travel, other than a few short-term missions trips, but when I do finally venture out, this book will be on my "must have" list! Great read, inspiring, and sure to awaken the wanderlust in you!

“Vagabonding” is a powerful read that makes me want to run out and do just that... vagabond. The book is full of resources for further learning, reading, guiding, and planning. I can’t say I agree with all points but it’s truly just a few, stemming from my own personal preference, beliefs, and travel style. All in all, a very worthwhile read and one I will revisit in years to come.

One of those books where you highlight the whole damn thing.. Where you read it at the right time and place in your life.. It just resonates.

If you're curious about the idea of picking up and just traveling around without much planning, or even a return ticket, you might enjoy this book. Not planning is something I've had trouble doing when it comes to travel, but I'd still like to go with the flow more. Although there were a few chapters about this concept, a lot of the book was devoted to preparing your lifestyle.