Official Review: Travel Instincts by James C. Jensen

[npandit]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Travel Instincts" by James C. Jensen.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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In Travel Instincts, a memoir by James C. Jenson, we are introduced to a friendly, curious protagonist with a boyish streak for adventure and discovery. His journey begins in 1976--before modern technology connected our world and made it easy to get around—back to a time when making an international phone call from a third world country involved a trip into the city, and carrying paper maps as a world traveler was imperative as a GPS was not in the average person's back pocket.

Jim, now an older man, shares a nostalgic portrait of his younger self, whose adventures in the late 70’s were fueled not by riches, but by a near foolhardy sort of bravery, steely determination, and a sense of wanderlust rivaling that of early colonial explorers. You can’t help but be sucked into his sense of fearlessness and burning curiosity about the world. The story begins with him working as a sailor on the Bibiana, a yacht on its way to Australia, along with a fun-loving crew as his companions.

Pg 40: We voted on some things and made new rules and restrictions. At one point, Laurie, in a moment of excessive high-mindedness, saying he could no longer tolerate our bad manners and foul language, instituted a system whereby anyone who farted, burped, or cussed had to put a marker in a kitty. Once in Sydney, he would cash them in at ten Aussie cents per marker and we would spend the money at a pub. He then, over the course of the trip, almost filled the coffer single-handedly.

As what happens with the best written stories, the protagonist becomes your friend, and you can’t help but root for him as he finds himself in the most beautiful, exotic, exhilarating, and sometimes terrifying places. During some harrowing moments, I almost felt like shouting at him to slow down and be more careful; and could continue reading knowing only that he must have survived, after all, to be able to write it all down.

The book details the around-the-world journey the author took from 1976 to 1982. During his travels, he visited Central America, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangkok (where he found work), India, Pakistan, Nepal, Turkey, Germany (where he had to work again), Egypt and Israel (where he lived on a Kibbutz) to name a few.

But the most interesting part about the story is not where all he went, but how he traveled: almost broke, sleeping in train stations in India or under bridges along highways in Europe; funding his trip by finding work in Bangkok selling jewelry; and moving along by hitchhiking through Europe and the middle east (pretending to be from New Zealand out of fear of being recognized as an American); or several times while being slammed against crooked third-world roads in crowded buses driven by reckless drivers...and once even in between train cars in India!

He seemed to blend seamlessly with his surroundings, protected from the culture shock most of us experience when we hop on and off planes to find ourselves in a new world:

Pg 98: My explanation is that I’ve traveled slowly, sticking to the earth’s surface. I’ve seen how cultures, like languages, blend; I’ve built up psychological anti-bodies against culture shock, and now that I tend to travel faster they protect me.

There was genuinely a number of times he could have died. What I found most admirable was his determination to continue his journey despite so many obstacles: including traveling into Iran at a time when it was becoming very Anti-American; and after suffering from Hepatitis in Assam, instead of resting, deciding to continue into Kathmandu on a crowded train and a 15 hour bus ride going up a mountain. Who does that?!

The author’s travel philosophy can be summed up in an exchange he had with a Hungarian border guard after he overstayed by a few days on a transit visa, while hitchhiking with a friendly Austrian of Hungarian descent:

Pg 243: The captain arrived and started speaking to the driver who had to explain again what an illegal American was doing in his car. Then they turned to me and I made up a story about the flu and being in bed. It didn’t work. Everybody was very serious. Finally, I asked the driver what was going to happen. He asked the captain and turned back to me. “You are going to have to pay some money or go to jail.” Without pausing, I said, “Well, I have more time than money so, I’ll have to go to jail.” His eyes opened wide. I shrugged.

He translated this into Hungarian for the captain, whose eyes also opened wide. The driver then shrugged and they both looked at me. I shrugged again. There was a lot of shrugging going on and the captain started blabbering. He then handed the driver my passport and waved us through.

The driver loved it. I was his hero. He thought I was the grooviest thing since apple strudel. I wanted to be his hero, but told him it wasn’t a ploy. I was just stating a fact, but he couldn’t get over how nonchalantly I’d taken on the prospect of a jail term. I suppose I had, but I just didn’t get worried. Something– the clouds, the green hills, or maybe the way the guard’s hat sat atop his head– had kept me cool. I realized, though, how lucky I was to have been picked up by such a nice guy.

This is the sort of book that gets picked up for review on CNN, and eventually gets written up as a screenplay for a Hollywood blockbuster with some strapping hero as its lead. The story has romance, suspense, good humor and a remarkable amount of insight. It was a pleasure reading from start to finish, and one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.

The rating was based on the following criteria:

• 1.What was the book’s purpose and did it achieve it? (4/4)
  
  The purpose of a memoir is to find the meaning behind particular events in a person’s life; and in the case of Travel Instincts, the author certainly succeeded. The book was not just a point-by-point narration of where the author went; his location was just a base from which to organize the story. Every chapter contained important information that Jim picked up along the way, and you could see him changing and evolving as a person throughout the story. Even though the book is about Jim's particular journey and what he learned from it, the author is able to extract the beauty and humanity and connectedness of people around the word, which hits you on a personal level.
  
  2.Was it interesting? (Writing/Style) (4/4)
  
  The author's writing is clear, crisp, and conversational. He is able to maintain a healthy balance of providing the reader with funny anecdotes from his journey, and the right amount of background information to give the story depth. One of the greatest strengths about this book is that while it could very easily have turned into something tedious and overly detailed, it is instead a beautifully weaved story that’s trimmed down and expanded in all the right places.
  
  The author maintains his good sense of humor while both going through his adventures, and while retelling them. In an easy conversational manner, the author peppers his insights on what he learns about languages, culture, religion and life at sea with funny conversations. At various points, he describes being ill, lonely or homesick on his journey, but doesn’t let the reader linger in the doldrums with him, keeping the narration moving along smoothly. Despite the author’s vast wealth of knowledge, he tells his story with a refreshing amount of humility.
  

  Pg 10-11 “When you read or listen to people talk about the problems of ocean sailing, they always mention storms, whales, modern-day pirates, or something like that,” he said. “But if you know what you’re doing, if you’re careful, and if the boat is seaworthy these things shouldn’t be a problem.”
  
  I nodded, interested. “Do you know what the biggest problem is?”
  
  I wished I had an answer but said, “No.”
  
  “The crew, “ he said definitively. “The crew has to get along.” He sipped his tea. “What do you know about psychology?”
  
  “Psychology?” I stammered.
  
  “Yes, psychology.”
  
  “Well,” I said. “I can spell it... maybe.”
  
  This he liked. He laughed.

  
  
  It’s one of those books that once you start reading, you have to know what happens next.
  
  3. Was it original? (4/4)
  
  I haven’t read a travel memoir quite like this, and doubt that I will. Jenson's journey is a unique one, his voice is clear throughout, and the insights he brings to the story makes the book worth reading. The experiences he has, his development as a person, and people that come into his life, influencing him--however briefly--are woven very well into the narrative.
  
  4.Was it organized (grammar/structure/theme)? (4/4)
  
  The book is structured chronologically; the chapters usually divided by geography. For the sake of flow, the author sometimes cut down several months within a few sentences, and elaborated in other places where necessary. The themes of evolving language, repercussions of colonialism, and the history and spirituality of religion were well developed. Every theme that the author explored while writing about his journey provided the threads that connected and rooted him when he was farthest away from home, adding depth to the story, and bringing it all together.
  
  5. Was it well researched? (4/4)
  
  The author does not use references, aside from mentions of getting information through conversations with different people, but in this context it works, because whatever facts he outlines for the reader, he seems to use from his own memory and working knowledge. I got the impression that through six years of travel the author learned a great deal about history, sailing, geography and language which he willingly shared with the reader—so providing a reference section was not necessary.

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, and it is a very obvious 4 out of 4. To be honest, the only criticism I can think of is that he could have come up with a better picture for the book cover. In the end, the author briefly mentions what happens to him after the six-year journey around the world. Though it is a complete work of its own, I would love to read more from this author, and hope he will consider writing a sequel.

I really hope this book gets the recognition it deserves. If I was a director, I'd ask for the movie rights.

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Travel Instincts
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like npandit's review? Post a comment saying so!

[bookowlie]

Nice, insightful review! The book sounds fascinating! I agree with you about not loving the book cover. It seems a little busy for my taste, although maybe it's an attention grabber to some people.

[npandit]

Nice, insightful review! The book sounds fascinating! I agree with you about not loving the book cover. It seems a little busy for my taste, although maybe it's an attention grabber to some people.

Thank you! I loved the book, and I really hope you read it and enjoy it!

Yeah, in this case the 'don't judge a book by the cover' moments really applies!!

[debo9967]

Wow! Its an amazingly detailed review! And the book sounds really interesting and engaging.

[Rachaelamb1]

This sounds like such a great book! I live in a foreign country and love hearing all the crazy stories that come while traveling so I think this is one I need to check out.

[npandit]

Wow! Its an amazingly detailed review! And the book sounds really interesting and engaging.

Debo9967, Hahaa I love your profile picture. Thank you! I hope you get a chance to read it and enjoy it, it's one of the best I've read in a long time!!

This sounds like such a great book! I live in a foreign country and love hearing all the crazy stories that come while traveling so I think this is one I need to check out.

Rachaelamb1, I hope you do! It really is a great book. I connected to it on a personal level because I lived away from my home country for several years, too, and I think if you live in a foreign country, you'll especially enjoy it!