swap_horiz The Songlines 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

Arabian Sands

Arabian Sands documents Wilfred Thesiger’s remarkable journeys through the vast and unforgiving Rub' al Khali (the Empty...

Exploration Desert 20TH Century Middle East

9.4 Excellent

3

The Snow Leopard

Peter Matthiessen’s *The Snow Leopard* chronicles his arduous 1978 expedition into the remote Nepalese Himalayas alongsi...

Asia 20TH Century Spiritual Himalaya

9.4 Excellent

4

In Patagonia

Bruce Chatwin’s *In Patagonia* details a 1977 expedition across this remote region of southern South America. The book c...

Adventure 20TH Century Literary South America

9.3 Excellent

5

A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush

Eric Newby’s *A Short Walk in the Hindu Kush* recounts his ill-prepared journey through the Afghan mountains in 1958. Th...

Adventure Asia Mountaineering 20TH Century

9.3 Excellent

6

The Worst Journey in the World

Apsley Cherry-Garrard’s “The Worst Journey in the World” details his participation in Robert Falcon Scott’s 1912-1913 Te...

20TH Century Expedition Polar Antarctica

9.3 Excellent

7

A Time of Gifts

Patrick Leigh Fermor’s *A Time of Gifts* details a remarkable 1933 overland expedition across pre-war Europe. The book c...

Europe 20TH Century Prewar On Foot

9.3 Excellent

8

The Rings of Saturn

W.G. Sebald’s *The Rings of Saturn* chronicles a solitary walk along England's eastern coastline in 1968. The book metic...

Europe Coastal 20TH Century Literary

9.3 Excellent

9

Arctic Dreams

Barry Lopez’s *Arctic Dreams* chronicles a 1986 expedition through Alaska's North Slope. The book details the stark beau...

Nature 20TH Century Polar Arctic

9.3 Excellent

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

Between the Woods and the Water

Patrick Leigh Fermor’s *Between the Woods and the Water* recounts his remarkable 1930s journey along the Danube River. T...

Europe 20TH Century Danube On Foot

9.2 Excellent

14

The Road from Coorain

The Road from Coorain recounts Jill Ker Conway’s formative years spent on a remote Western Australian sheep station duri...

Australia 20TH Century Memoir Outback

8.7 Great

15

Journey Without Maps

Journey Without Maps is Graham Greene's 1936 travel book about a trek through the interior of Liberia, undertaken with h...

20TH Century Literary Africa Graham Greene

8.6 Great

16

Italian Hours

Italian Hours is a collection of travel essays by American-born writer Henry James, published as a book in 1909. Drawing...

Europe Italy 20TH Century Literary

8.6 Great

17

An Area of Darkness

An Area of Darkness is a 1964 travelogue by Nobel laureate V.S. Naipaul, marking the first installment in his trilogy of...

India Cultural 20TH Century Literary

8.5 Great

18

The American Scene

The American Scene is a travelogue originally published in 1907 by novelist Henry James. The book documents his return j...

Cultural 20TH Century Literary Americas

8.5 Great

19

What Am I Doing Here

What Am I Doing Here is a posthumous collection of travel writing and journalism by the British author Bruce Chatwin, pu...

Global 20TH Century Literary Essays

8.4 Great

20

A Turn in the South

A Turn in the South is a 1989 travel book by the Trinidadian-British author V.S. Naipaul, documenting his journey throug...

Cultural 20TH Century Literary Americas

7.8 Good