Tested: Sam Manicom Tortillas to Totems audio book review

Date reviewed: September 2017 | Tested by: John Milbank | Price: £9.95 | www.sam-manicom.com

Having spent most of his life travelling the world by bicycle, sail, train and hitchhiking, Sam Manicom set off to ride the length of Africa just three months after starting to learn to ride a motorcycle. That one-year trip became an eight-year, 200,000 mile adventure across 55 countries.

Sam met his partner Birget in New Zealand on the trip, and his journey is covered by four books: Into Africa, Under Asian Skies, Distant Suns and this – now available as an audio book – Tortillas to Totems.

Listen instead of read

I’ve never seen the attraction of audio books – I love to read and clear my head of all the time spent in front of a computer. I drive as little as possible, so don’t find myself stuck in traffic, but as I use an intercom on the bike to listen to music as I ride, I thought I’d give it a go…

What an eye-opener – listening to some truly amazing adventures while slogging across the M6 is truly inspiring, and it’s changed my view of the format. Sam narrates all his own audio books, so hearing the man himself relay these incredible experiences is quite personal; as if you’re lucky enough to have him sat with you chatting about his trip. Whether at home, on the bike or stuck in the car, this is a great way to enjoy Sam’s books.

Available from Audible or iTunes, if you use the link on Sam’s site it currently takes you to the US store. You can follow iTunes on your device or computer or look on Amazon.co.uk.

Sam Manicom has a fantastically positive outlook on life, and even when his adventures take very difficult or even sometimes tragic turns, you're never left feeling low. His tales of travelling with Birget on their pair of bikes, along with his great social, geographical and political insight into his ever-changing surroundings is thoroughly enjoyable.

It doesn't matter whether you hanker after riding around the world yourself, or rarely get time for a Sunday blast, listening to Sam narrate his wonderful adventure is a joy.

Personally, I think I’d still tend to pick up a book before liten to an audio-book, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this. However you experience Sam’s adventures, I strongly recommend you give them a try. You can download chapter one of Tortillas to Totems for free by clicking the link below…

DOWNLOAD A FREE SAMPLE OF TORTILLAS TO TOTEMS BY CLICKING HERE