Distant Suns


Distant Suns Book Review

Distant Suns
Adventure in the Vastness of Africa and 
South America

By: Sam Manicom
ISBN: 978-0955657320
Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
Publisher: Sam Manicom UK, 2008
368 pages, Color Photos and B&W Illustrations

Sam Manicom quotes Paul Theroux on the back cover of this book:

“…take the leap. Go as far as you can. Try staying out of touch. Become a stranger in a strange land…”

And boy, did he ever leap as far as he could, where no one could reach him…even if they wanted to.

Distant Suns is Sam Manicom’s third book chronicling his eight year 200,000 mile journey around the world.

His first two books — Into Africa and Under Asian Skies (review) — covered his first four years of travel.

Distant Suns takes you with him on his three year adventure exploring Southern Africa and South America.

On this trip he is accompanied by his partner Brigit, and Distant Suns is based on her diary.

×
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on https://www.amazon.com/ at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

The forward promises that Distant Suns will “spit you out as a convert to the dream of over-landing by motorcycle.” I disagree.

To categorize this book as “an adventure motorcycle travel book” limits the book’s potential appeal to a broader audience.

Distant Suns will appeal to the non-rider as well.

It proves to be a universally enjoyable way to sample a buffet loaded up with history, geography, human drama, danger and human relationships with the added bonus of cycles for aficionados.

The author’s journey started in 1996 — before cell phones and satellite navigation became affordable and portable for the masses. In 1996 it was all about maps and telephone exchanges.

Add to that the fact that when he started on his journey, the author had only been riding a motorcycle for three months.

The Author refers to himself as “… a pretty ordinary bloke…” when he started out on his adventure, but I beg to differ — this is no ordinary man and no ordinary journey!

While the vivid photos included in the book visually illustrate the exotic locales, it is the author’s words that really bring the trip to life for the reader.

Whether it is bringing to life the beauty of the landscape, the people they meet, the endless dicey border crossings, how they get to where they are going and where they stay when they get there-it is all told in Sam’s richly descriptive style.

This is a great story which reads with the ease of a novel.

Distant Suns has it all: love, good guys, bad guys, beauty, danger, history, geography and last but not least-bikes! Distant Suns is a fast, easy and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Review Date: January 2009

wBW “Flaming Helmet” Rating:

Flaming Helmet Book Review Rating System

4=Must Have. 3=Should Have. 2=Take it or leave it. 1=Fugeddaboudit.
Note: For informational use only. All material and photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC since 2000. All rights reserved. See the webBikeWorld® Site Info page. Product specifications, features and details may change or differ from our descriptions. Always check before purchasing. Read the Terms and Conditions!

Where to Buy Distant Suns Book

Check Reviews & Prices on Amazon

See More: Motorcycle Books


Owner Comments and Feedback

Please send comments to [email protected].
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
See details on submitting comments.

No Comment

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.