Grounded: A Down to Earth Journey Around the World

by Seth Stevenson

Book Overview

An eye-opening and fascinating slow travel journey from an acclaimed writer who circled the globe without ever leaving the ground. In this age of globalism and high-speed travel, Seth Stevenson, the witty, thoughtful Slate columnist, takes us back to a time when travel meant putting one foot in front of the other, racing to make connections between trains and buses in remote transit stations, and wading through the chaos that most long-haul travelers...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594484422
• ISBN13: 9781594484421
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A wonderful read---entertaining, informative, delightful

I hate to fly. I last flew in 1987, and I never intend to fly again. So I was instantly drawn to this book---a tale of circling the world without ever once using an airplane. It intrigued me it was even possible, but it was. Seth Stevenson and his girlfriend Rebecca go from Washington DC east around world by ship, train, bus, bicycle, car...and share this whole trip with us by means of Stevenson's great writing---I'd say he could someday mature into another Bill Bryson. A few of my favorite parts---the huge contrast between Russia and China---one country seemingly lethargically wasting away and the other on its way up, the budget cruise ship full of elderly British citizens, the days crossing the Atlantic on a container ship...lots of great moments. Mixed in, I learned a lot. I want to learn a lot more about container ships---I had no idea what a huge role they play in the world economy. I was fascinated by the fact that land transportation is worse today than it was 50 years ago in a lot of ways. I was interested to find there are others who hate flying, and not just because of fear. As with other books of this type I've read, the end is a bit of a let-down. It makes me feel sometimes like the US is the most boring country out there, as the trip east across the country always is seems to be at the end of the trip, and populated with annoying weird Americans. I've driven cross-country, and not found that to be the case, but I can understand how depressing it is to come home after an exotic trip. I also felt I'd love the luxury cruise ship the author took across the Pacific, but I've never been on a cruise ship, and maybe they really do bring thinking people to the brink of suicide. I think the complimentary shrimp platters in my room would prevent that, though. I hope I heard from from Seth Stevenson. I'd love to go along virtually on any other trips he plans.

Great Book for Adventurers (or who'd like to be)

Well-written and interesting narrative of a trip circumnavigating the world. Whether you're an armchair traveller or someone who actually hops a freighter like the author, this book will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next.

surprisingly funny

This book got me kicked out of my own bedroom for giggling too much: "go laugh in the guest room," my husband complained. He is now immersed in this fantastic tale of non-flight global travel. Seth is a keen observer - and wonderful storyteller. The banter between these two main characters is priceless - I look forward to their next adventure together.

Very funny around-the-globe jaunt

I had previously read several of the author's travel pieces in Slate, especially enjoying one called "Trying Really Hard to Like India," which I believe won some awards. For this book the laid-back author and his manic girlfriend sought to circle the Earth without taking any airplane rides. Did they succeed in their quest? I won't say, but the book he wound up writing is very funny. My two favorite parts are the opening bare-bones cargo freighter trip across the Atlantic and the ending super-luxury cruise boat right across the Pacific. Two very different journeys (in price and everything else) but the contrast bookends the author's narrative nicely and allows for some meaningful reflections on material comfort. Also enjoyable are the chapters about China and a harrowing four-day drive across the Australian Outback. The only part that was a little dull was the Trans-Siberian railroad segment of the trip. Even the author's sharp sense of humor couldn't make that train ride too interesting. Still easy 5 stars, lots of fun.

A charming and fast-paced adventure story about how to travel without using airplanes.

GROUNDED is for anyone who hates traveling by airplane. Author Seth Stevenson tells how he and his girlfriend circumnavigated the globe without using airplanes at all. Instead they relied on ships, trains, bicycles, etc. Stevenson (the travel writer for SLATE) may travel slowly but his writing is always brisk and his sense of humor is delightful. This book will set readers dreaming of vacations to plan.