Keep Australia On Your Left: A True Story of an Attempt to Circumnavigate Australia by Kayak

Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: this book catches your attention, and from the very first page on, you can't put it down. The author does't bore you, yet he tells many details. There's humor, anger, fun, and much, much more. Even if you've never picked up a kayak paddle or don't even know what a klepper is, READ IT!

Rating:
Summary: a great story, but...
Review: this is a great story marred by incessant whinging. mr. stiller's priorities seemed to be the number of kilometers acheived per day and making a relationship withstand the strain of time and distance. very little was mentioned about wildlife and sights along the way, even less about the author's personal growth. transcribing your journal is not a literary effort!
however, the accomplishment of these two fellows was outstanding!

Rating:
Summary: excellent, within its limited demographic
Review: What does that mean? It means that the book is very, very well written and of enormous appeal - IF YOU ARE white, thirtyish, male and upper middle class (in other word, like the writer). Since I am all of those things, I thought it was exceptional, practically describing me and my friends, who are also fraternity brothers (like the author) and into adventure sports (like the author). Will you enjoy it if you dont meet these criteria? Mabye, but keep in mind that it is not an adventure story like Jon Krakauers "Into thin air", where its not about the people as much as the adventure. Its more like Bill Brysons "In a sunburned Country", where its almost a journal about traveling, with lots of interesting side notes. The only thing I would have wished for, Eric (if you read this, and you're the type of guy who would)is that you had included diagrams of some of your more complex descriptions (kayak parts, etc.) Still, wonderful adjective use and very vivid writing. Hope you take another trip soon.

Rating:
Summary: Whiny man-boy gets in over his head
Review: While, I can't say this book was a bad read, I can say that it was uninspiring. For me the biggest problem with the book is that Mr. Stiller comes off as whiny, confused, self-centered, and childish. The superfluos details of his failed love interest is a case in point. Did the guy think he had any real hope of maintaning a relationship with a bartender he hooked up witht he night before he left? More time spent on the imapct of being away from family and serious, life-freinds would have shown a greater depth of feeling. Also, the breif periods of non-whiny self-reflection are not well integrated and don't show any actual growth of charater. I know this is real life, but in a book this long drama counts.
Also, Mr. Stiller is no Hans Junger or John Krakuar(sp?). His descriptive flare burns out after the first few pages. The beauty of the landscape and the diversity of the people are skimmed over. Instead we get mundane details and whiny self-indulgence. Endless descriptions of Stiller's bitch sessions about his paddling partner, obsessing over planning, and the vain hope of picking up a letter from the bartender, who dumps him.
The account of the trip--which I must point out involves TWO people--is poorly balanced. Tony Brown gets the short end of the stick and that is really too bad. Tony Brown must be one hell of a guy to put up with Stiller for as long as he did. Also, it seems to me that Brown was actually "into" experiencing the trip as an adventure. I'm pretty sure that with a paddling companion like Mr. Stiller I would have bailed much earlier that Tony eventually did.
For a good tale of kayak expeditioning read On Celtic Tides by Chris Duff.

Rating:
Summary: Whiny man-boy gets in over his head
Review: While, I can't say this book was a bad read, I can say that it was uninspiring. For me the biggest problem with the book is that Mr. Stiller comes off as whiny, confused, self-centered, and well childish in almost all respects. The superfluos details of his failed love interest is a case in point. Did the guy have any real hope of maintaning a relationship w/ a bartender he hooked up witht he night before he left. More time spent on the imapct of being away from family and serious freinds would have shown a greater depth of thought. Also, the breif periods of self-reflection are not well integrated and don't show any actual growth of charater. I know this is real life, but in a book this long drama counts.
Also, Mr. Stiller is no Hans Junger or John Krakuar(sp?). His descriptive flare is flat. The beauty of the landscape and the diversity of the people are skimmed over.
The account of the trip--whcih I must point out involves TWO people--is poorly balanced. Tony Brown gets the short end of the stick and I'm pretty sure that with a paddling companion like Mr. Stiller I would have bailed early also. Where is Tony's commentary and perspective?
For a good tale of kayak expeditioning read On Celtic Tides by CHris Duff.