Long Way Round: Chasing Shadows Across the World

Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman (2004)
image links to Amazon

THE A5 BOOK REVIEW

One quiet afternoon, Ewan McGregor (yes, the actor) had the realization that it was virtually possible to ride a motorcycle all the way around the world.  The idea blossomed into a massive adventure with his friend and fellow actor Charley Boorman, together traveling on big BMW motorcycles eastward over 20,000 miles over a four month period in 2004.  Their travels brought them through 12 countries and 19 time zones, ending in New York City.  It wasn’t easy; they not only faced exhaustion but also swollen rivers, treacherous roads, and men with large guns.  They did have time to see some sights, including memorable visits to the Church of Bones in the Czech Republic, the Mask of Sorrow monument in Magadan, and even Mount Rushmore.   McGregor and Boorman kept a diary and took photographs, and their amazing journey was then documented in Long Way Round, which ultimately was also turned into a television series and DVD set. 
Click here to see reviews and prices for this book on Amazon.

THE SECOND TRIP - LONG WAY DOWN

McGregor and Boorman decided to follow their first journey around the world with a similar 2007 trip, this time heading south from the most northernmost top of Scotland down through Europe and Africa to finish their journey in Cape Town.  The two actors are of course more prepared for this trip, but some of their adventures when riding through Africa are still interesting.  The book describing this trip is called Long Way Down.

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THIS BOOK

ABOUT EWAN MCGREGOR & CHARLEY BOORMAN

Ewan McGregor is a well known and well respected Scottish movie star, best known for his roles in Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge, Scottish Fishing in the Yemen, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

​“I fight cynicism. It`s too easy. It`s really boring. It`s much harder to be positive and see the wonder of everything. Cynicism is a bunch of people who aren`t as talented as other people, knocking them because they make them feel even more untalented.”
- Ewan McGregor
Photo:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Ewan_McGregor_Cannes_2012.jpg
Charley Boorman is a lesser known English actor and TV presenter who is truly a motorcycle enthusiast.  He became friends with Ewan McGregor as part of his appearance on a 1997 film called The Serpent’s Kiss.  He followed Long Way Round and Long Way Down with a number of other adventure travel programs.

​“If you travel with an open mind and a good heart, and remain respectful of the country you’re in, then you should be fine.”
- Charley Boorman
Photo Credit: By Phil Guest (Flickr: [1]) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

INTERESTING LINKS:

  • Both Long Way Round and Long Way Down were also turned into television documentaries that are now available on DVD.  
  • Go to the official Long Way Round website to learn more, to read their blog, and to buy a t-shirt.  Or even better, visit the site to help support UNICEF and other charities supported by the team.
  • McGregor and Boorman were inspired by motorcyclist Ted Simon's book Jupiter's Travels (link goes to Amazon).  They met with Simon in Mongolia. 
  • There apparently has been discussion about "Long Way Up", a third installment of the "Long Way" series which would start in South America and end up in Alaska.

LEAVE YOUR OWN REVIEW HERE

LONG WAY ROUND (OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR DOCUMENTARY)