The Gringo Trail

By Mark Mann

Book Overview

With little more than backpacks and desire for adventure, Mark Mann and two friends set out on an expedition through Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia, submerging themselves in Latin culture. Through... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1840240946
• ISBN13: 9781840240948
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Summersdale Pub Ltd
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 1.0" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Obviously divides opinion - but I loved it!

Judging by the other reviews, this is a book you either love or hate. Well, I loved it! For me, this book captured the feeling of backpacking better than any I've read (far better than The Beach, for sure), and the evocative descriptions of the places on the Andean 'gringo trail' are spot on. It's also funny, and the story of the three main characters is far more than just 'a diary' of their trip, as it moves subtly towards the book's climactic episode. In short, backpackers and would-be backpackers should definitely read this book - especially if you've been to, or have any interest in visiting, South America.

The Gringo Trail

DJ Wheeler needs to get a life (see review below), girlfriend or both.The Gringo Trail is one of the most interesting books I've read in ages. OK, so some of the jokes are a bit corny but it livens up the (interesting) background info on the Andean countries Mann and his travelling companions visit.I couldn't put it down and friends who've read it agree that this book has really captured the spirit of backpacking, more so than The Beach.I would recommend this book to anyone thinking of visiting South America. And, like me, if you've been to some of the places Mann mentions, you will really be able to relate to what he has written.

Best Travel Writing!

This book was excellent reading. I couldn't put it down. If you are interested in South America, you will feel like you are there. Mark Mann does a great job describing the history, people, and landscapes (as well as the landscapes of the imagination) of South America. He includes elloquent descriptions of his own traveling companions as well as all of the people they come across. If you are someone with an open mind and are interested in traveling South America, this is your book!

Great travel adventures from the lonely planet generation

At first I was turned off by all the attention given to drugs,since I don't take them and don't give a ( )about the clandestine"drug culture." Having said that, the writer does a great job of describing the cool, exotic, far out and randomness one experiences travelling to far flung cultures (For the politically correct: this is a common western perspective when visiting many, but not all, South American countries. Especially true for the backpacking, alternative lifestyle seeking, lonely planet generation.)Mark does a great job of character development as well as describing exotica. He also gives great background on the 3 main characters, how screwed up their dreary London life was, and what motivated them to travel (something more hardworking, insular yuppie types should consider...)Many travel books are ( ); amaturish, self absorbed drivel. But this story kicks ( )! Read it.

Recommended reading

(From Planeta.com Journal): One of the best books of the year, The Gringo Trail is a riotous mix of humor and scandal. It documents the travels of three Brits who go to South America for different reasons, though drug taking takes center stage. This is quite an unusual book, and it introduces me to Summersdale Publishing, "publishing the grooviest books on the planet." The Gringo Trail confirms that description. Keep an eye on this author! Besides this book, he spends his time with Tourism Concern, a prestigious UK group dedicated to improving tourism. I look forward to reading more of his work.