Marco Polo Didn't Go There: Stories and Revelations from One Decade as a Postmodern Travel Writer

Rolf Potts (2008)
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THE A5 BOOK REVIEW

Marco Polo Didn’t Go There is a collection of irreverent and fascinating articles from Rolf Potts, the author of Vagabonding, sharing some of his best adventures from his extensive travels around the world.  One of the best is the time he tried to crash the Phi Phi Leh movie set in Thailand for The Beach, the Leonardo DiCaprio movie about the book of the same name.  Other stories cover exploring Cambodia, getting robbed in Istanbul, being stuck without water in the desert in Libya, and learning the secrets of Tantric sex in India.  One of the best aspects of the book, especially for aspiring travel writers, is that Potts includes little notes of commentary on the background for each of his pieces.  The title is loosely meant as an observation that globalization and mass media had changed even the most remote of destinations.
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ABOUT ROLF POTTS

Rolf Potts is an American travel writer, with work featured in many publications.  He made a name for himself as a champion of what he calls "vagabonding", the name of his first travel book.  Learn more about this practical and inspirational guide to long-term travel.  

GREAT QUOTES FROM MARCO POLO DIDN'T GO THERE

“Regardless of how far we try to wander off the tourist trail (and no matter how long we try to stay off of it) we are still outsiders and dilettantes, itinerant consumers in different lands.  This is often judged to be a bad thing, but in truth that's just the way things are.  Platonic ideals aside, the world remains a fascinating place for anyone with the awareness to appreciate its nuances."


INTERESTING LINKS:

  • Read Rory McClean's 2008 review in the Guardian, titled "How to travel in a post-modern world."
  • One of Potts' stories is about his attempt to crash the movie site for The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. 
  • Those who want to know more about Rolf Potts should visit his personal website, rolfpotts.com.

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