Jim Malusa

My mom loves this, I suppose because it's adventure & courage, and good writing.?á I enjoyed it too, but can't recommend it to *everyone.*?á I do recommend you read it if it intrigues you.?á I will tell you something the author didn't, which I think is relevant.?á Almost all of his adventures took place in the years *before* the Twin Towers fell.?á Now, how much does that date the book??á Probably less than you'd imagine.?á How much does that make the book irrelevant??á Not at all.

Travel, adventure, geology, biology, anthropology, humor....?á The book does have something for almost everyone.?á I liked learning things - for example, crocodiles and similar critters have a trick nostril-to-lung passage that allows them to breathe when their mouth is *open* underwater." (emphasis mine)?á I also liked the light humor that shows up in both anecdotes (how the frustrations of dealing with bureaucrats are funny in hindsight) and in wit & word-play.

One of the most engaging things about the book is just how different the world looks from the perspective of one person on a bicycle.?á Prejudices against American men were muted because Malusa travelled so lightly; he was not seen as aggressive, arrogant, or any other Ugly American way.

I will try to make time to visit the companion website."… (altro)