8 Travel Books That Will Change The Way You See The World

1. Love Africa By Jeffrey Gettleman

Love Africa tells the tale of Jeffry Gettleman, the New York Times' East Africa bureau chief. It begins with his first volunteer excursion to Africa, during which he fell in love with the continent.

But he was constantly summoned back to the United States to be with his other passion, his criminal defense attorney girlfriend Courtenay.Follow along as he navigates his journalistic career, his passion for Africa, and his relationship with Courtenay. We are aware of how Africa can yank at the heart.

Can you have everything? This travel memoir through Africa is not being given away, so you should read and follow along. Love Africa by Jeffrey Gettleman is available on Amazon.

2. The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho

It's an oldie but a gem.The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is the story of Santiago, a shepherd boy who sells his flock and buys a passage to Tangier, where he is robbed and forced to work in a shop in order to return home.

At the center of the book is Santiago, who embarks on a voyage to discover his life's true purpose. Santiago learns valuable lessons about faith and perseverance as he encounters a variety of characters and navigates the journey's obstacles.

The book "The Alchemist" encourages readers to consider their own lives and goals. Coelho's emphasis on following one's heart, embracing the unknown, and overcoming dread inspires readers to question their own paths and pursue their personal legends with courage and resolve.

After a great adventure across the Sahara, he uncovers his fortune right back where he began. Before we began traveling full-time, I read this book, which inspired me to wander. And to cherish existence.

I believe The Alchemist inspired my desire to become a travel writer and take the plunge to travel the world. This book taught me that you need not travel far to discover life's grandeur.Amazon.com has The Alchemist for sale.

3. A Long Way Gone By Ishmael Beah

Ishmael Beah's revealing autobiography as a juvenile soldier is riveting. A Long Way Gone describes how an innocent child is forced to participate in a brutal conflict in Sierra Leone. It may not belong in the typical catalog of travel books, but it is something that everyone should read and be aware of.

Ishmael recounts his journey to elude the military after losing everything, including his family, his home, and his soul. He hid in the jungle for three years and nearly starved to death. It describes the dread and hopelessness he felt every day until his capture by the government army.

Drug-addled, he was compelled to commit unfathomable acts. This is a tale of returning from hell and leading a life of vengeance and violence. He was rescued by UNICEF, but his rehabilitation was lengthy and agonizing. 

4. The Bang Bang Club – Greg Marinovich & Jaoa Silva

The Bang Bang Club is a true story set in Apartheid-era South Africa about four photojournalists who dared to penetrate the townships and document history as it occurred.

It was written by surviving reporters Greg Marinovich and Jaoa Silva. The Bang Bang Club is heartbreaking and shocking in its depiction of the brutality of that period.

As war correspondent photographers, they had to come to grips with their personal demons and what they witnessed daily. Two of the photographers were awarded the Pulitzer Prize because their photographs changed the course of history and established new benchmarks. Purchase The Bang Bang Club by Greg Marinovich and Jaoa Silva.

5. The Girl In The Picture – Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, photographer Nick Ut took the haunting picture of children fleeing from the effects of a napalm explosion. In the middle of the shot was Kim Phuc, who was unclothed and had serious burns across her entire body. It went on to become famous as "the photo of the century" and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

Kim relates her experience of what transpired with "The Girl in the Picture" using her own words as she does so. Read this captivating account of her journey from Vietnam to Canada, where she settled after enduring many challenges along the way. The voyage begins in Vietnam. Not only did this book teach me what it was like for Phuc, but it also educated me about communism in Vietnam and what it took to escape from its clutches. The Young Woman in the Photograph: Vietnam

6. Touching The Void – Joe Simpson

Joe Simpson and Simon Yates had a perilous ascent of Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes back in 1985. Joe Simpson recalled the experience. After they reached the top of the mountain, misfortune struck when Joe fell into a crevice and severely injured his leg.

We are big fans of traveling with an element of excitement, but this takes it to a completely new level. As Joe remembers the three days he spent trying to get down the mountain after a near fatal fall and what he had to undergo along the way, this book has withstood the test of time. Additionally, a film adaptation was released in the year 2003.Joe Simpson's album is titled "Touching the Void."

7. Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer

Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air is a gripping and scary story of what happened on Mount Everest in 1996. As a well-known travel writer and mountain climber, Krakauer brings his knowledge and skill as a storyteller to this true story that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

Krakauer is the only author who can show how physically and emotionally hard it is to climb the highest mountain in the world. I couldn't stop reading this book. Krakauer gets to the heart of climbing by putting readers in the beautiful and dangerous world of Everest. This made us want to go to Everest Base Camp.

Krakauer honestly thinks about what he did and what decisions he made during the disastrous trip. This gives the book more depth and a more real feel. The story is even more interesting because he is open and honest about how the tragedy affected him emotionally.

We've been to Mount Everest Base Camp, so it was fun to read about it and relive our steps through Namche Bazaar, the Tengboche Monks, and the Sherpa memorials to the dead.Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer

8. Into The Wild By John Krakauer

We go right to a different book by John Krakauer. As a journey writer, Krakauer does more than just tell adventure stories. He has a knack for getting to the heart of what makes people tick, and Into the Wild is a great example of that.

"Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer is a fascinating and introspective look at the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who left civilization to go on a solo journey in the Alaskan wilderness. It starts out with a normal cross-country road trip and then takes a turn.

Krakauer puts together the reasons, struggles, and ideas that led McCandless to go into the wild to find peace and freedom. He does this through interviews, personal stories, and McCandless's own writings.looking at his desire to find out more about himself, his dislike of social rules, and his longing for a simpler life. Krakauer gives us a look into the appeal of the wild and a young man's inner struggle as he searches for meaning and transcendence.

The book goes into McCandless's complicated personality, and Krakauer's skillful writing and thoughtful analysis help readers understand that, even if they don't agree with all of McCandless's actions.

Therefore, have these travel literature inspired you to travel the world? What is the most exciting travel story you've ever read? If you have additional travel books to recommend, please list them in the comments section; we're always on the lookout for excellent reads.