Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain
While George seems to embrace pain and obstacles, Ben does all he can to avoid them. This often results in small clashes between the two friends.
What surprised me is that they never seemed to get into any real fights. Summing it up, I think that for George this trip is about the journey, while for Ben it soon becomes about just reaching the destination. They meet kind, inspiring and simply weird people in the British backcountry and sleep in so many different kinds of beds that a lot of backpackers would envy them.
The links to the book in this post are affiliate links. This was a light, enjoyable read, and I'd recommend it to others. I give it three stars instead of four because the author's jokes and certain other lines are very repetitive in structure and they got a bit tedious.
Many of the jokes went: By something I don't mean X. That would be odd. No, I mean Y. John came out and said bye to us. When I say he came out, I don't mean he told us he was gay. That would have been weird. I mean he left his house and saw us off.
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- A clash of characters?;
Aug 19, Julie Haigh rated it really liked it Recommends it for: If you fancy something different this book is just the thing. It's written in diary format. They have no money, no food, no clothes and they have to blag items or work for them-eg. This book is great and hilarious at times, really well- A nice change!
This book is great and hilarious at times, really well-told. Each journal entry has photos of the days' events. My only criticism of this book-well the kindle edition anyway-is that the pictures are a bit small so that's the only reason I have given it 4 stars instead of 5. Ok you could enlarge each one individually but I would prefer for there to be say two decent sized photos per page but I don't know the costs or processes involved.
You can look on George's website or Facebook page for more photos or better sized pictures but I would have preferred them to be easier to view in the book also. Some great moments in this book.
Book review: “Free country: a penniless adventure the length of Britain”
They are given, for example, trousers way too big so they have to tie string around the waist as a belt also given a pair of trainers which I seem to remember were too small but, in the absence of any other footwear they had to wear one each until someone else provided them with other items. An excellent read, very different, refreshing and entertaining. I really liked the style of writing and I hope George thinks up another challenge to do and to write about because I would definitely buy that book too. Jun 22, Kimber Wheaton rated it it was amazing.
I really loved this book. It was uplifting and funny. The fast pace and narrative style made it virtually impossible to put down. I really needed to know what happened next. The narration was akin to sitting down with a friend regaling the crowd with his crazy, "guess what silly thing I did," story. In times like these, it's really nice to read something that reminds me that most people are inherently good. But seriously, if I were one of these guys, I would've started with a pair of good walkin I really loved this book.
But seriously, if I were one of these guys, I would've started with a pair of good walking shoes! Jul 26, Sarah Clement rated it it was amazing. This is a book that will make you laugh and restore your faith in humanity.
I chose it because I'm trying to read more books about the UK, having just moved here, but I didn't expect much from a self-published title about two guys blagging their way from Lands End to John O'Groats. I was pleasantly surprised that the book was well-written, didn't need an editor, and consistently held my attention. All rare things for a self-published book. The book has many surprising moments, but the overall me This is a book that will make you laugh and restore your faith in humanity. The book has many surprising moments, but the overall message is not really all that surprising.
Of course people are still generous and responsive to people who ask for help. If you don't believe that, then definitely read this book. For me, I think I read this book at a perfect time. I find the English reserve a bit off-putting and difficult to deal with after 33 years of living in America and then Australia. This book proved to me that the English can be every bit as bold and gregarious as their new world colonies.
Apr 25, Elyse Walters rated it it was amazing. A Kindle Bargin-Price treat!!!!! Fall in love with George and Ben! Be touched by the humanity-kindness-generosity of the people of Britain. Imagine YOU were on this adventure: Starting out with no clothes, only a pair of boxer shorts , no money, no food, no water, no bike I was able to s A Kindle Bargin-Price treat!!!!!
I was able to smell the food they were eating, most of it 'beige' color Apr 24, Aunty Janet rated it it was amazing. This book is great! George and Ben are both officially very nice people! Dec 17, K. Kinsley rated it it was amazing. Inspiring, heartwarming, an absolute must-read. I am not one to rave often, but this is simply one of the most engaging, enjoyable, hilarious, and inspiring things I have read in YEARS.
I am sad to have finished it in only a couple of days' time. I laughed until I cried, I drove my husband insane by wanting to read aloud to him constantly, and I finished feeling inspired. This book would be a bargain at twice the price. It's unique and wonderful.
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Buy it - you will not regre Absolutely brilliant! Buy it - you will not regret it! Jan 08, Janette rated it really liked it. It's told in a witty, sarcastic tone that gave me just the right appreciation for how difficult the adventure must have been. I also have to say it's restored a lot of my faith in humanity. With all that happens in the world today, that's no small feat.
It's nice to know there are so many good people out there just trying to make it by the best they can. Jul 16, Melissa rated it it was ok Shelves: This book is insipid. I wanted to finish it, but it wasn't physically possible-- I rolled my eyes so often it was difficult to get to the bottom of a page.
The jokes are so relentless, that they quite interfere with what might have been a sweet travel memoir, detailing the stories and idiosyncrasies of ordinary folks in the British countryside. Oct 27, Anne rated it really liked it. Fantastic read Was great to read about a journey I would like to do myself one day. Although I think I'll do it using money. But it's so great to see so many generous people willing to lend a hand to these guys and read about it in such an uplifting book! Jun 02, Jane Higginson rated it really liked it.
This isn't a book that I would normally choose to read but I'm glad that I did as I really enjoyed it. The concept of two guys cycling from lands end to John o groats with no money and relying on the kindness of people in Britain will leave you pleasantly surprised. Oct 26, Steve rated it it was amazing. Excellent book, best one I have read for a long time full of ups and downs and some real characters met along the way!
A real page turning book, very well written and definitely worth reading! Sep 28, Rebecca W rated it really liked it. This book was so much fun! I love the concept of this adventure, and this book delivered as expected in terms of hilarity and reaffirmation of the kindness of strangers. Jun 12, Millisent rated it it was amazing Shelves: Quirky and entertaining I knew I would enjoy this story but was not prepared for how much I laughed! The author does an awesome job of painting the scene without dull droning details. You feel that you're traveling and experiencing with them through the whole journey.
It reminds you that there are good people out there. May 04, Lauren Roberts rated it it was amazing. I really enjoyed this story not just because it happened but because one of my bucket list items is to walk JOGLE fully dressed though. I really identified with George and his feelings behind doing it, he wanted the challenge and personal satisfaction of knowing that he had completed the route by himself.
Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain by George Mahood
The stories and interactions he had where superb an I really enjoyed this story not just because it happened but because one of my bucket list items is to walk JOGLE fully dressed though. The stories and interactions he had where superb and reminded me of random acts of kindness I have experienced including a free kitkat from Tesco! The story was well written, brilliant character sketches of the people who helped the guys on the route and loved the pictures of the people, especially getting to see some of the more quirky characters they described.
It restored my faith in humanity and George summed it up at the end of the book when he said go out there, take a walk, talk to people, nowadays we all walk with our heads down buried in a phone when we should talk to each other, perhaps the next person you walk past on a canal path might have an interesting story to share.
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If you like this book you may also enjoy the Merde series by Stephen Clarke Jan 02, Abbey rated it it was amazing Shelves: George's tone I know him well enough now to call him George, she said parenthetically is perfect for this book. It's chatty, with many repeating gags "other products are available" and many asides. Starting with the simple premise that ordinary people are kind and generous to strangers, they set out from Land's End in the southwest corner of Wales and bike to John O'Groats in the tippy top north of Scotland.
Apparently this End-to-End journey is well known in the UK, but it was news to me. H George's tone I know him well enough now to call him George, she said parenthetically is perfect for this book. They had no money, no clothes, no bikes, no identification at all - just a challenge to themselves to go 1, miles in 3 weeks and accept hospitality and material assistance, but no money and no rides. They'd be harassed in no time at all by US police.
They sometimes have the appreciation-deafness of youth, accepting generosity and then bashing the mannerisms or personalities of their benefactors. I don't mind crude language - sometimes it's the only way to convey the astonishment or emotional impact of the moment - but it got a bit ridiculous. I know this is how young males talk, so I'll give them a pass.
See how generous I can be? No money, no bikes, no clothes and no clue. The plan is simple. George and Ben have three weeks to cycle miles to the top of Scotland. There's just one small problem Through the course of their epic journey they are clothed, fed and sheltered by the generous people of Britain; from llama farmers to onion farmers, students to lifeguards, a former rock-star to a former hit-man During the most extraordinary of challenges, George and Ben sleep in a canal boat, a posh hotel, an empty house, a pub, a tent in a car park, a greenhouse, on a student's floor and in a barn with a bull.
They blaze a trail of open doors and warm hospitality the length of this green and pleasant land.