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Summary: Great book for anybody!
Review: Neil Peart goes deep into his mind into this book and was a joy to read. I recommend this to any bicyclist or non-bicyclist. I being a fan of the band he is in, Rush, was the main reason I read this book and got a lot more out of it than I expected. Neil Peart is a very talented writer.
Rating:
Summary: THE best book I ever read!
Review: Rare are the people with multiple gifts of genius. Not only is Neil the greatest drummer on Earth, this book exposures his writing talents. As a long time fan of Rush, I am familiar with the poetic genius of Neils lyrics, but this book took my appreciation of his writing to another level. As a fellow drummer, I have always looked at Neil as the " Teacher". His drumming is pure magic. As someone new to writing and Philosophy I find myself calling Neil my "Teacher" in yet another field. Buy & enjoy this talent captured on paper!
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Summary: Wonderful adventure through Africa and the thoughts of a man
Review: A truly great book from a great man. Most people in todays world look for adventure at Disney World, but Peart takes us into a virtually unknown land and shares his experiences with the real people, the real place. His thoughts and writing convay a true love for people and adventure.
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Summary: He writes as well as he plays!
Review: One of the greatest features found in the music of Rush is the lyrical content of Mr. Peart. I found his latest book to be a wonderful read. While reading this book I felt like I was sitting on the back of his bike with him. He caught the flavor and delight of travel many of us are not brave enough to encounter. Bravo.
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Summary: A glimpse into Niel Peart using Africa as a backdrop
Review: Excellent. If you like travel-log type books, be sure to pick this up. However, let us not pretend that Neil Peart just "happens" to be the author - he is why 90% of us will read it. But I warn my fellow Peart fans: This is not a book about being a rock star in Africa, nor will you get any juicy inside information on Neil's private life (at least not much). Nowhere in the book does he mention Geddy or Alex (directly). I beleive he mentions "being on tour" maybe once. This book is much more powerful than a gathering of rock-n-roll factoids. If you want to read about Rush, pick up your tour books. If you want to know about Neil's private life... here's all the book has to offer -- He likes chocalate, he likes cars, he likes smoking but doesn't smoke, he likes rice with junk on it, he'll drink warm orange soda if he has to, he enjoys the sight of smiling kids, he likes booze. If you want cheezy Peart trivia, skip this book. If you want to glimpse into Neil's head, buy it.
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Summary: elegant prose written in peart's lyrical style.
Review: As a fan of the band mr.peart is a member of, rush, i found it difficult to separate my internal images of peart on stage, in press releases and in videos from peart the author and private citizen. however, in order to truly appreciate the book for what it is, a chronicle of an african bicycle trip and the inter-personal relationships that form along the way, i felt it imperative to do exactly that.my first question as i read the book was, "will anyone recognize peart? would there be a fan on board to harangue him for the entire trip, "dude- you are the greatest drummer ever!!" but alas, he was lucky... until he gets to know elsa. (read the book to find out what i am referring to.) at certain points i found the book to be a bit pedestrian, but all in all, it was an enjoyable read. i will admit, however, that i probably enjoyed the book more because of who the author is.
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Summary: A short, honest look at Africa from a cyclists' view point.
Review: Something about the way Peart, ever examining the land and its people as he traveled reminded me of T.E. Lawrence's "Seven Pillars of Wisdom". Peart writes with the same kind of fearless honesty. This book is NOT politically correct. Then author faces issues between men and women, old and young, primitive and cultured. He meets them head on without prejudice or apology. He examines himself as ruthlessly as he does everything else and when he tires, settles down to study Aristotle or Vincent Van Gogh. Some of us march to the beat of a different drummer, Peart beats his own drum. Like his lyrics this book will leave you wanting more.
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Summary: A brutally honest look at West Africa
Review: Neil Peart brings West Africa to life. At times I felt as if I was along for the ride. I expected more pictures but quickly realized that with Peart's writing skills and the amazing detail in which he wrote, there was no reason to have pictures. His descriptions of some of the villages they visited, the conditions in which they slept, the roads (if you could call them that) on which they travelled, the food they ate, the people they encountered and the hardships they endured, were brutally honest and made me feel as if I was experiencing them myself. Some of Peart's descriptions of his bike accidents brought laughter from me as well. As a rider myself, I could relate to some of the problems he experienced (although I have never ridden anywhere that would compare to his trip). Peart laid everything out, from his frustrations with the other riders in the group (and their frustrations with him) to the dysentery he experienced. It is obvious that he has great respect for the people and places they visited. It amazed me that someone as successful and wealthy as he is, world take such a journey. It only added to my respect for him as a lyricist. I would definitely recommend it for a fan of Rush, a cyclist or anyone who enjoys reading about other countries (I wonder if Elsa has read it). Well done, Neil.
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Summary: The ultimate in book
Review: Imagine breaking the stereotypes of the image of rock musicians being drug-addicting-sex-crazed who can't see beyond their own stage? Well, imagine all the barriers broken and Peart's book shoving it in their face? Well he did!
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Summary: Can't we all just get along?
Review: Of course, I bought this book because I am a fan of Neil Peart. But, I had no idea what I was in for. As usual, Neil's intellect and perception led me into new understanding of things I knew little about. He has a way of describing things and events in a way that makes you feel as if you are there. He is very honest about his feelings which adds a great deal to the book. His story telling abilities approach the expertise of Jeffery Archer and his intellect is surpassed by few. Immense insight is what makes Neil such a prolific Lyricist and writer. This is one of the most interesting books I have read in a while. I just hope Neil writes a fictional novel sometime soon.
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