First Overland: London-Singapore by Land Rover
Product ID: 48438388
Why not? After all, no-one had ever done it before. It would be one of the longest of all overland journeys-half-way round the world, from the English Channel to Singapore. They knew that several expeditions had already tried it. Some had got as far as the deserts of Persia; a few had even reached the plains of India. But no-one had managed to go on from there: over the jungle-clad mountains of Assam and across northern Burma to Thailand and Malaya. Over the last 3,000 miles it seemed there were "just too many rivers and too few roads". But no-one really knew... In fact, their problems began much earlier than that. As mere undergraduates, they had no money, no cars, no nothing. But with a cool audacity, which was to become characteristic, they set to work-wheedling and cajoling. First, they coaxed the BBC to come up with some film for a possible TV series. Then they gently "persuaded" Rover to lend them two factory-fresh Land Rovers. A publisher was even sweet-talked into giving them an advance on a book. By the time they were ready to go, their sponsors (more than 80 of them) ranged from whiskey distillers to the makers of collapsible buckets. In late 1955, they set off. Seven months and 12,000 miles later, two very weary Land Rovers, escorted by police outriders, rolled into Singapore-to flash-bulbs and champagne. Now, fifty years on, their bestselling book, First Overland, is republished-with a foreword by Sir David Attenborough. After all, it was he who gave them that film. Review: Most Excellent Book - Most definitely the first time this journey was made! This really is a must read. People are obsessed with Landrovers but that really isn't the point. The point is the spirit of the journey by young University students who had never attempted anything like it but did it anyway. It paints a picture, albeit these days of times past, of the world where people step up and give support to the traveller. It reflects very much that kindness which I experienced in the early 70s travelling overland. It is interesting that as it was made less than 10 years after British colonial rule in India and Pakistan had come to an end much of the post colonial relationships seem to have assisted the first overland guys. They were frequently greeted by, for example, Brook Bond Tea staff and others who were left behind after the British left. If you like travel you must read this book for sure. Review: A great read both for travel and end-of-empire attitudes. - I'm a Land Rover fan and from the Land Rover Series Once Club forums heard about the re-creation attempt. This got me interested in the original trip and so I got hold of a copy. It was a very interesting read. As an off-road driving instructor I do get people who want to drive in far flung places and the planning aspect is often forgotten. In this book Tim discusses the selection process as well as the overall planning. The book is well written and engrossing - I have now lent it to several other people who also enjoyed it. The one aspect that may seem alien to those of us later than the baby-boom. The trappings of faded Empire are there as well as attitudes that are distinctly non-PC. For example calling many of the people they met "Charlie" as they couldn't remember their names seems bad now. I also bought the Eric Edis, 'The impossible takes a little longer' which details a later trip and a completely different way of doing things.
| Best Sellers Rank | 345,538 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 304 in Road Travel 1,982 in Food & Travel Writing 2,468 in Travel Writing (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 505 Reviews |
K**T
Most Excellent Book
Most definitely the first time this journey was made! This really is a must read. People are obsessed with Landrovers but that really isn't the point. The point is the spirit of the journey by young University students who had never attempted anything like it but did it anyway. It paints a picture, albeit these days of times past, of the world where people step up and give support to the traveller. It reflects very much that kindness which I experienced in the early 70s travelling overland. It is interesting that as it was made less than 10 years after British colonial rule in India and Pakistan had come to an end much of the post colonial relationships seem to have assisted the first overland guys. They were frequently greeted by, for example, Brook Bond Tea staff and others who were left behind after the British left. If you like travel you must read this book for sure.
K**H
A great read both for travel and end-of-empire attitudes.
I'm a Land Rover fan and from the Land Rover Series Once Club forums heard about the re-creation attempt. This got me interested in the original trip and so I got hold of a copy. It was a very interesting read. As an off-road driving instructor I do get people who want to drive in far flung places and the planning aspect is often forgotten. In this book Tim discusses the selection process as well as the overall planning. The book is well written and engrossing - I have now lent it to several other people who also enjoyed it. The one aspect that may seem alien to those of us later than the baby-boom. The trappings of faded Empire are there as well as attitudes that are distinctly non-PC. For example calling many of the people they met "Charlie" as they couldn't remember their names seems bad now. I also bought the Eric Edis, 'The impossible takes a little longer' which details a later trip and a completely different way of doing things.
S**3
Enjoyable read
A good story - recommended if you like travel writing from the period
6**5
THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
The adventure of a lifetime. These days its common to take a year out before Uni "Traveling" to get some independent experience.These guys did it differently (bar one Oxford man), and passed their degree courses before setting out. In the year that it took them to complete this one-off adventure, they are exposed to some hardship and some opulence; influence and power, humility and grace, fun, friendship and responsibility, heat, cold and general discomfort. But mainly they learned to work as a team to achieve their ultimate goal. Some very different personalities, temperaments and early life experiences with a cross section of skills, worked together as one team, sometimes two and always ably supported by the home team. They made it through to the end of land (Singapore) in two early Land Rover vehicles. In doing so, they directly influence what they would eventually do with their lives. Something that many still find hard to decide on completing their degree. End of Empire? Yes, that too. Would highly recommend reading this re-print of Tim Slessor's excellent book.
W**A
Great travel book
Great travel book
N**N
A must read for any Land Rover fan
A must read for any Land Rover fan
A**R
First overland
Definitely a good read the look in to the past is enlightening and the hardships of travelling just after the war can not recommend enough
K**R
It got us off our backsides
We were cheesed off, working in an engineering factory, got drunk and decided to do a "round the world" trip. Sobered up and wavered, then read the book and we were hooked.We bought a Landrover for £140 .and left UK in August 1966. we never got to Singapore but sold the landrover in Kathmandu and carried on overland to Laos, Cambodia etc, but that's another story. Was given the book again in Venezuela in 1970 and loaned it out in 2002 but never got it back and I've been searching boot sales etc, for another replacement'' but no joy till now , so I hope it can give somebody else a world of pleasure.thank you, Kindle
M**X
For Land Rover lovers!
A great read: an adventure impossible nowadays!
B**C
The classic boys own adventure
What a swashbuckling and rollicking story. I can see why David Attenborough sponsored this adventure.
N**A
Imprescindível
Imprescindível para fãs e coleccionadores Land Rover
S**N
Ein Muß !!
Wenn man Landy Verückt ist, muß man dieses Buch einfach haben. Es gehört genauso in den Schrank, wie das Werkstatt Handbuch !!
C**E
Great Read
This is one of the best travel books that I have had the pleasure to read. Tim Slessor writes with a light and candid style that is very entertaining and takes the reader on this incredible journey. I had the honour to meet Mr. Slessor at a Land Rover show in May that featured "Oxford", one of the two Land Rovers that completed this overland journey. He is one of the kindest and most entertaining people I have ever met. This story tells of a journey that could not be completed today.
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