swap_horiz Long Way Up Alternatives

1

Desert Solitaire

Edward Abbey’s *Desert Solitaire* recounts his experiences as a seasonal park ranger in Arches National Park during 1968...

Nature Desert 20TH Century Americas

9.5 Brilliant

2

In a Sunburned Country

Bill Bryson’s *In a Sunburned Country* offers a compelling account of contemporary Australia. The book details Bryson's...

Australia Cultural 21ST Century Humorous

9.2 Excellent

3

Down Under

“Down Under” is a 21st-century travelogue by Bill Bryson exploring Australia’s culture and landscapes. The book offers i...

Australia Cultural 21ST Century Humorous

9.2 Excellent

4

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Robert M. Pirsig’s *Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance* chronicles a cross-country road trip undertaken with his...

Philosophical Motorcycle 20TH Century Americas

9.2 Excellent

5

The Journals of Lewis and Clark

The Journals of Lewis and Clark detail the expedition undertaken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark from 1804 to 1806...

Exploration 19TH Century Overland Lewis And Clark

9.2 Excellent

6

My First Summer in the Sierra

John Muir’s “My First Summer in the Sierra” chronicles his transformative journey through California's wilderness during...

Nature 19TH Century California Americas

9.1 Excellent

7

The River of Doubt

Candice Millard’s *The River of Doubt* details Theodore Roosevelt’s extraordinary 1914 journey into the Brazilian Amazon...

Amazon 21ST Century South America Expedition

9.1 Excellent

8

Blue Highways

William Least Heat-Moon’s *Blue Highways* documents a transformative 1982 road trip through America. The book chronicles...

20TH Century Rural Road Trip Americas

9.0 Excellent

9

Over the Edge of the World

Laurence Bergreen’s *Over the Edge of the World* chronicles Ferdinand Magellan’s ambitious 16th-century voyage. This tra...

21ST Century Magellan Ocean Circumnavigation

9.0 Excellent

10

Life on the Mississippi

Mark Twain’s *Life on the Mississippi* offers a vivid account of the American landscape and culture during the late 19th...

19TH Century River Memoir Americas

8.9 Great

11

The Mountains of California

John Muir’s “Mountains of California,” published in 1894, details his extensive explorations of the Sierra Nevada range...

Nature 19TH Century Sierra Nevada Americas

8.8 Great

12

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains

Isabella Bird’s *A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains* documents her remarkable 1879 journey through the American West....

19TH Century Solo Victorian Americas

8.8 Great

13

Down the River

Edward Abbey’s *Down the River* chronicles his adventurous journeys along rivers of the American West during the 20th ce...

Nature 20TH Century River Americas

8.8 Great

14

The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

John Wesley Powell’s 1875 report documents a pivotal 1869 exploration of the Colorado River through its dramatic canyons...

Exploration 19TH Century River Americas

8.8 Great

15

In the Kingdom of Ice

Hampton Sides’ “In the Kingdom of Ice” chronicles the ill-fated 1879 voyage of the USS Jeannette led by Captain Francis...

21ST Century Expedition Polar Arctic

8.8 Great

16

The Lawless Roads

Graham Greene’s “The Lawless Roads” documents his 1939 journey through southern Mexico to witness firsthand the escalati...

20TH Century Religious Mexico Americas

8.7 Great

17

Deep South

"Deep South" is a 2015 travelogue by Paul Theroux that explores the rural poverty, complex history, and distinct regiona...

Cultural 21ST Century Road Trip Americas

7.8 Good

18

Roads to Quoz

"Roads to Quoz" is a 2008 travel book by William Least Heat-Moon that explores the obscure backroads, oddities, and ecce...

21ST Century Rural Road Trip Americas

7.6 Good

19

On the Plain of Snakes

This 2019 travelogue by American author Paul Theroux details his extensive road trip driving through Mexico to examine i...

21ST Century Mexico Border Americas

7.6 Good

20

Dreaming of Jupiter

Published in 2006, this travel book by Ted Simon details his ambitious effort to retrace his historic 1970s global motor...

Global Motorcycle 21ST Century Revisit

7.5 Good