Silk Riders - Book

[Speedo-cop]

Book
Silk Riders: Jo and Gareth Morgan's Incredible Journey on the Trail of Marco Polo. Random House.


AN UNPLEASANT INTRODUCTION
I've recently read Silk Riders – an account of one 'intrepid' groups adventure tour – notably that of Jo and Gareth Morgan.

I only post to recommend against purchasing this book – by all means, read it for your own education – as at least it details in plain terms the extreme arrogance and egotism of it's writers: Self proclaimed, 'born leader', etc, etc, ad nauseum.

The entire book is one long sonnet to the very excellence of it's writers – where they denigrate every country they travel through, praise the locals in only the most condescending terms – refer to some as 'road lice' and even account in approving terms of one of the travelers assaulting their local guide.

Quite apart from the offensive and arrogant account and behaviour detailed, the so-called adventure has been planned to great detail by a New Zealander – who I'm sure would not wish to be associated with the travelers – but, more laughably, when things DO go wrong, often due to the ineptitude or inexperience of it's writers, they simply abuse or otherwise blame the locals.

WHY?
One wonders if the Morgans mistakenly believe that financial success is a reasonable measure of a person's ability or worth in society - as they denigrate the homes and poorer people along their tour.

Why do I post this?

In the hope that others might not be exposed to their very unpleasant reminisces... Embarrassing and disgusting.

Readers might also be interested in the Morgan's website Worldbybike.com - where the current ego-massaging epic is being advertised - if unsure, I ask, who really cares, is most interested in plastering their name over any good deed they do - if not for sad ego...

[Grub]

Interesting summary, thanks. I read it too and felt uncomfortable about it but wasn't quite sure why. I was expecting to enjoy the book and just found it a bit boring and lacking. I believe you're right. Instead of interesting insights into the people and places visited, it was none of that and thus just ... a ... little ... flat?

[Speedo-cop]

On a more positive note - I should recommend the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

While the major part of that book is taken by an overall guide to adventure motorcycling, it also contains a hundred or so pages in accounts by various travelers - the quality of which is far superior to the Morgan's, and by far more deserving the title 'adventure'.

Even though the quantity of such material is less than the Silk Riders, i think readers will be more satisfied - essentially, it's less about the writer's ego, and more about the journey.

[Nasty]

Interesting summary, thanks. I read it too and felt uncomfortable about it but wasn't quite sure why. I was expecting to enjoy the book and just found it a bit boring and lacking. I believe you're right. Instead of interesting insights into the people and places visited, it was none of that and thus just ... a ... little ... flat?


And here I was put off by the bad english and improper use of grammer .... actually it was the crappy writing .... Grub was their second book just as bad?

[Hitcher]

I'm currently halfway through the book of their North American adventures. It's not "literature" but it's a reasonably entertaining and informative read.

And Gareth Morgan has made a living out of being outspoken and of being "right". What grates with some folks is that he is generally right more than he is wrong, as his decision to financially back his son Sam has proved. Anybody who follows analysis of New Zealand business and politics should not be surprised by that.

[sunhuntin]

i think i got halfway through the second chapter before putting it down and loosing my place. havent bothered to pick it up again. luckily, i only paid $3 from salvation army for it.
some of it seems so stupid its unbelievable. one bit vaguely comes to mind, and thats about attempting to ride a harley two up across the aussie desert and being shocked when the bike conks out. well, duh, harleys need gas, and riding across a petrol station free zone with little in containers doesnt equal cleverness. and the riders were supposedly experienced!

[pritch]

While the book was a bit underwhelming and superficial, they were crossing whole countries in literally only a day or two which doesn't permit much in-depth analysis.

Despite the superficial nature of the book they were able to offer insights to cultures that I hadn't previously read anything about so there was still a level of interest. I haven't got the book currently, it's on loan, but I recall the general tenor as being positive about the people with whom they came in contact.

I glossed over the self congratulatory stuff and I would certainly read his future books, but may be more patient and get them from the library rather than buying them...

[tri boy]

Check out www.ferriswheels.com.au
Mike is one of the originals when it comes to this stuff.
He has a much better insight into Asian/sub continent traveling, and always willing to share knowledge.
Bloody good bloke as well.......for an Aussie:yes:

[vifferman]

I've got the Silk Riders book - I read it some time ago so I can't remember for sure, but IIRC, it was ghost-written anyway (i.e., someone else wrote it, based on interviews with them, notes, etc.)

I found it kinda boring.

The thing to remember though, is Gareth Morgan donated the proceeds of the book sales to charity, so it's a bit uncahritable to be too critical, given that he wasn't actually the author (just the subject) and didn't make anything from it.

[Kickaha]

I've got the Silk Riders book -

I found it kinda boring.


So did I

Full Circle by Richard and Mopsa English is fairly good, it's about a couple who tour the world By Sidecar

[banditrider]

I've read the book, watched the DVD and gone to see Gareth Morgan speak in person. I really enjoy his take on life and social commentary (you should have heard him go on about the yanks). I particularly like how he gives politicians a good going over and he always comes across as someone with a lot of common sense.

I don't completely agree with his views on charity but then it's his money. I guess you either like him or loath him...

[merv]

I've got the book and haven't gotten around to reading it yet. When I bought it at Motorad I told Brendan I wouldn't buy one until Gareth (and I let Brendan do it too) autograph signed it. Do you reckon I wasted my time and money on it?

As for the ride Brendan gave us a presentation on it at Motorad a while back and that was interesting because he told it to us really from the bikers point of view.

[Speedo-cop]

I've got the book and haven't gotten around to reading it yet. When I bought it at Motorad I told Brendan I wouldn't buy one until Gareth (and I let Brendan do it too) autograph signed it. Do you reckon I wasted my time and money on it?

I wouldn't recommend reading it - as I'd think that the real waste.

On the whole, more focused on the Morgan's excellence than motorcycling.

The first few chapters are pretty funny though, at least to me, and until I realised they were actually serious ;)


Check out www.ferriswheels.com.au
Mike is one of the originals when it comes to this stuff.
He has a much better insight into Asian/sub continent traveling, and always willing to share knowledge.
Bloody good bloke as well.......for an Aussie:yes:

Some good photographs too! :)

[Angusdog]

On a side note, did anyone else find "The long way round" entertaining but a bit uneventful? They get halfway across Siberia, and get a flat tyre. Calamity! We're in the middle of nowhere! Lucky we have all these tools and a support vehicle. The most interesting bit was crossing that river where the road had been washed away. I mean, fair play to them, it's a long way. But most of it is pretty much routine for a adventure ride in NZ. I think they should have to go back and forth until something really cool happens, like they get thrown in a Russian jail or forced into prostitution to pay for traffic fines.

Gareth Morgan's book has no appeal to me, much like the man himself. I believe he has some humanitarian bent, as more or less anyone who was a multimillionaire would. So he has some spare time to go for a ride - so would I. Do I want to read about it? Nup.

[Hitcher]

Well I'm really enjoying reading about their North American jaunting.

[vifferman]

On a side note, did anyone else find "The long way round" entertaining but a bit uneventful?
I haven't even bothered.
At about the same time as their much-publicised and well-supported jaunt, Glen Heggstad (http://www.strikingviking.net/) was doing much the same trip, but longer, and without a team of support people and cameramen following him. It made Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman look like wussies.

[magicfairy]

Silk Riders - never even finished it for all the reasons given above.
Long Way Round - enjoyed that, saw the series first, so it filled some gaps and I enjoyed learning about how they both got into bikes.
Race to Dakar - Charley Boorman - really enjoyed it, read it before I saw the DVD, read it several times.
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook - excellent reference, good read.
Jupiters Travels - OK but did not enjoy as much as I hoped.