Stranger in the Forest : On Foot Across Borneo

Rating:
Summary: The Indiana Jones of the decade.
Review: A very well written and thought-out book. Hansen captures what most writers would have taken for granted. It was as if I was right there with him, beside him, taking one stride after the other feeling the leaves under my shoes. Eric Hansen transports you into the heart of the jungle, so hang on.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing journey
Review: Eric does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to join him on his way across Borneo. I loved the personal transformation of being an outsider trying to use "normal" time and becoming a known-traveler realizing the unique beauties of another world (lands, people, cultures). It was a truly amazing self-discovery.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing journey
Review: Eric does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to join him on his way across Borneo. I loved the personal transformation of being an outsider trying to use "normal" time and becoming a known-traveler realizing the unique beauties of another world (lands, people, cultures). It was a truly amazing self-discovery.

Rating:
Summary: Where few have traveled
Review: Eric Hansen has gone where few have traveled, and few have wanted to travel. His epic adventure is more than a guide to the region: it is a rare glimpse into an unimagined world. Despite National Geographic type articles, one would never have dreamed of this world of extraordinary people, going about what they consider ordinary lives. He did not just breeze into their country with an expedition mindset, guides and porters, al la the ordinary expedition management styles; rather he moved slowly and quietly, at a pace set by the people of the villages through which he passed. I felt priveleged to have been able to glimpse (albeit secondhandedly), his trip, and the lives of the very courageous people who not only live in Borneo; but have made a wonderful life for themselves, people who have a vast knowledge of the resources of their forests and the wildlife in them. From a modern worldview, these people may seem primitive; but he reveals them to be quite sophisticated within their world, and to have the character traits which lead to a good life in their world. It is one of the most appealing adventure stories I have ever read, written in a simple straightforward style, full of humor, pathos and intelligence. Excellent reading!

Rating:
Summary: Where few have traveled
Review: Eric Hansen has gone where few have traveled, and few have wanted to travel. His epic adventure is more than a guide to the region: it is a rare glimpse into an unimagined world. Despite National Geographic type articles, one would never have dreamed of this world of extraordinary people, going about what they consider ordinary lives. He did not just breeze into their country with an expedition mindset, guides and porters, al la the ordinary expedition management styles; rather he moved slowly and quietly, at a pace set by the people of the villages through which he passed. I felt priveleged to have been able to glimpse (albeit secondhandedly), his trip, and the lives of the very courageous people who not only live in Borneo; but have made a wonderful life for themselves, people who have a vast knowledge of the resources of their forests and the wildlife in them. From a modern worldview, these people may seem primitive; but he reveals them to be quite sophisticated within their world, and to have the character traits which lead to a good life in their world. It is one of the most appealing adventure stories I have ever read, written in a simple straightforward style, full of humor, pathos and intelligence. Excellent reading!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read!
Review: Eric Hansen's a fantastic writer and an intrepid traveler. He doesn't actually travel the whole distance on foot (he does jump in river boats here and there) but that doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter if he made up the stories he narrates although I don't think he did. It's a great book. I finished Stranger in the Forest and I just picked up Motoring with Mohammed. I searched Amazon and noticed that he's only written a few travel books. I've very disappointed, I was hoping that he could provide me with at least a dozen wild and interesting travel tales.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read!
Review: Eric Hansen's a fantastic writer and an intrepid traveler. He doesn't actually travel the whole distance on foot (he does jump in river boats here and there) but that doesn't matter. It doesn't even matter if he made up the stories he narrates although I don't think he did. It's a great book. I finished Stranger in the Forest and I just picked up Motoring with Mohammed. I searched Amazon and noticed that he's only written a few travel books. I've very disappointed, I was hoping that he could provide me with at least a dozen wild and interesting travel tales.

Rating:
Summary: So you think you want to travel to a ran forest
Review: Eric Hansen's first person singular account of his half year spent in the rain forest of Borneo, Malaysia will entertain and educate at a lively pace. His experiences planning and living a barter existence cut off from modern society provide valuable insights to anyone contemplating a travel to a similarly undeveloped region. All in all, a good read

Rating:
Summary: More than a great travel story.
Review: Hansen provides not only an extremely personal account, but gives the reader an opportunity to experience the world and life learning that comes usually only from first hand travel experience. His book will be on my children's shelf long after I am gone.

Rating:
Summary: An insightful, carefully thought-out, exciting book
Review: Hansen's account of his trek across Borneo is filled with lush detail. Unlike many other travelogues, this book does not wallow in the personal trials of the traveler-- the reader gets to observe and feel the jungle, its human and animal inhabitants, and is offered a taste of what might become of this paradise. A must read for fans of travelogues.