Moods of Future Joys: Around the World by Bike - Part 1

This enthralling account details Alastair Humphrey’s epic journey across Africa, through Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya. His experience is at times brutal, and though he faces loneliness, despair, and harsh conditions, he also survives through trust in the kindness of strangers.

Customer Reviews:

Engaging writer makes good against the odds

By Martha Solomon - January 4, 2007

Because the author couldn't get a publisher, he decided to brazen ahead and self-publish. The book lacks the professional polish of a publishing house, but makes up for it in preserving a vivid sense of the writer's personality, so the book is more like an evening in a bar listening to tall tales that happen to be true. Humphreys honestly reveals the trepidations he began with, while allowing us to experience with him how his fears yielded to respect and pleasure in the people and cultures he got to know. And always the undercurrent of incredible freedom in the midst of the pains and pleasures of his journey. I've never been to the places he pedals through, nor lived as ruggedly close to the land, but Humphreys' enthusiastic writing let me feel as if I had.

Joys of reading Mood of Future Joys

By N. Underdown - January 11, 2007

When I picked up this book I was a bit skeptical because I have read a lot of round-the-world travel books, I thought this book would be just like the rest of them. That is until I started reading it. Humphreys brilliantly portrays each country he is riding through, using humor and sharp observation. This book is award worthy, it should be up there with other great travel books and in every great book shelf. Looking foward to part two.

A Challenge to Achievement

By Benjamin Johnson - January 2, 2007

This book is a fantastic read, especially for those of us who dream of adventure while sitting at our desks, making dinner, or changing a diaper. Though the vicarious thrill was perhaps not the reason Humphreys wrote the book, I did appreciate experiencing it. Especially as one whose "adventures" are limited to one night camping trips, and the occasional suburban bike ride.

Humphreys' writing is direct and personal, which makes the reader feel as if 'Al' had stayed at his house for a few days along his route. The reflections on the cultures and nations he encounters are challenging and thought-provoking, all with a wry humor, that at times results in out-loud laughter. The bits about The Questions were particularly appreciated.

Most of all, the book is a challenge to achievement. Though not all of us can take 4 years to cycle around the world, we can all set high personal goals, and bit by bit, achieve them.