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Summary: A rare, inspiring, hilarious gem of a travel essay.
Review: "One Year Off" was a delightful, enlightening, hilarious journey around the world. This book easily captures the heart and imagination of any "wanderlust" reader. Mr. Cohen's ability to transport the reader to all points of the globe are a tribute to his extraordinary gift as a writer and his passion for travel.
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Summary: What did you expect??
Review: (...) the children were the BEST part. Isn't it obvious by the book jacket that this is a story about a FAMILY's adventures? Written first person by the Dad, it can only have his perspectives and thoughts, with Devi's and the kids' interjecting every so often. I am amused by their antics and the sibling rivalry is definitely true to life. (Don't) forget that David's purpose to take this trip was NOT to research a book, but to spend time on an adventure with his family, which he does to (most of) our delight. If he had spent more time polishing this book on the journey, I'm certain his joy with the family would have suffered, and I am happy to read the entertainment that he spins for us. Definitely read the book. It's fun, a good read, filled with a couple of practical tidbits (tricks and bribes =)) here and there about travelling with your family. When I have kids I'll definitely do the same, even if they don't appreciate it yet!!
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Summary: The Cohen's idea of One Year Off is hardly "roughing it".
Review: A good read but hardly the typical family's reality. Not many off us take a vacation with nanny in-tow, nor do we return to purchase a home in Ross (one of the Bay Area's richest suburbs). I resented Cohen's self-depiction as "one-of-us" and felt his adventure inaccessible to anyone outside his socio-economic class. Having said that, it is a good read just to glimpse some of the exotic scenes outside the U.S. Would have liked more follow-up on how they met some of the challenges of traveling with their kids. I found Cohen had a tendancy to ask a question but never gave us the answer (eg he wonders how they will feed their kids on the road --who are picky eaters-- and then neglects to tell us what the kids ended up eating to remain healthy during the trip.
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Summary: Great book for armchair travelers!
Review: Absolutely delightful book about the year Cohen and his wife quit their jobs, sold their house, and took their three children (9, 7, and 2) on a year-long adventure around the world. Not only is Cohen a great writer when it comes to description of foreign places and sights (I totally want to go to Costa Rica now), but he's also very funny. The two elements combine to make this a very charming book. I heartily recommend it, though I suspect if I were a parent myself, I would've been more horrified than amused at some of the situations they got into. You might want to take that into consideration!
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Summary: Entertaining and humorous
Review: An excellent easy read. Many nights found me not wanting to turn off the light because I was right between significant adventures. As the parent of a toddler, I couldn't have gotten more of a kick out of their littlest one but it was really the last few pages that were most telling: was it worth it? Were the economic issues (before, during and after) and the forced family closeness and the moments of fear and the sheer scope of the trip all worth it? I was glad for the epilogue, and glad for a glimpse of a road not taken (yet.)
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Summary: Fun, but Club Med-ish in its approach to the world
Review: As a San Francisco resident planning to take a similar trip in five years, I was especially interested in David Cohen's story. The book is extremely enjoyable, funny, and frustrating at the same time. The simplistic e-mail style of writing works well for a light read, but I often hoped the author would add deeper meaning or insight to an experience. At least he didn't pepper the text with LOLs and smilies, I suppose. Traveling primarily by plane and car, instead of by trains and buses, the family has little chance to become immersed in the local culture; in some places, they seem to barricade themselves from the locals instead of trying to sort out just how fearful they need to be. And where are all the stories of the kids becoming friends with the local children? So, although I thought the book was fun, and I will read it to my three, it was frustrating in its documentation of missed chances to really learn.
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Summary: Wish-fulfilling, funny, poignant!
Review: As a septuagenerian, it's a trip I would have loved to have made with my husband and children. The book is totally delightful! Cohen writes with humor and poignance. In addition to being entertaining, the book is informative. He and his wife must have boned up on all those exotic places they visited. I loved the way they explained things to their children.
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Summary: One Year Off is skillfully written and thought provoking
Review: As David Cohen describes how this amazing trip unfolds, you will feel as if you are along for the ride. It is much more than a travel adventure, however. It is a beautiful story of a midlife passage and the lessons that can be learned by taking risks with your lifestyle. Although you'll love to read it yourself, this is a great book to read aloud to children.
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Summary: Great Book!!
Review: as I am a father of 3 little kids, this book was a very interesting reading. I am inspired do go on a few adventures like that myself, though I wouldn't go for a whole year
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Summary: Could've Dug Deeper...
Review: Cohen doesn't ever own up to his story or its meaning. While it was helpful to my husband & I to read before traipsing off to live an adventure in the English countryside with our five little ones, it left us with the feeling that we could certainly do better.
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