Long Way Back

A really good read by a really interesting fellow. It's rare for a non-fiction book to hold my interest as this one did. But I am a rider myself and I have always admired Charlie and Ewan.

Exactly where does one start, when you've come across such a treasure. I have my short list of life's favorites; Bikes, Movies, Books, Places, etc., ...and this book just made the top of my list. As I sit here trying to put into words just how amazing this read is, I'm at a loss on how exactly to do it justice. What I can say is this, ...being a motorcyclist myself, and lover of all things two wheeled, I COULD NOT put this book down. The first day I received it from Amazon, I started reading it. And at 320-pages, I found myself over half way through the book before forcing myself to put it aside so that I could go to bed. But truth be told, ...I didn't want to. I felt as though through this entire read that I was right there, ...right by Charley's side. I could picture everything so vividly based on what he had written. Its just such an amazing read. I own both of the Long Way Series on DVD, and have eagerly watched each one from beginning to end no less than a dozen times each. I never get tired of either, even though I know them both by heart. I had the privilege and honor of meeting Charley once a few years back at IMS in Long Beach, CA. I realize he must have met hundreds, if not thousands of fans that weekend, but it truly made the show for me to get to meet him. I would have loved to hit the Irish bar across the street from the convention center, and talk bikes all day long. In addition to being a huge motorcycle enthusiast, I've had two major crashes throughout my own life, and could relate to Charley's story in so many ways, and on so many different levels. From the hospital and the surgeries, to the external fixator and physical therapy, ...I've been their myself first hand. Maybe thats one of the reasons this book hit home with me. The bottom line is this, if you're a fan of Charley, or of his adventures, consider this book a must read. You will not be disappointed. And in closing, ...if your eyes should ever come across this review here on Amazon Charley, ...I would just like to say thank you. It's truly one of, if not the best book I've read to date.

I have followed Charley and Ian's travels all over the world, and as a fellow motorcyclist, I feel an affinity for their passion. I watched and read about Charley on the Paris to Dakar (different locations now) and watched all the Long Way series, more than once. Charley is a rascal, his language is not family friendly, but I enjoy his passion for life as well as his realistic view of the world, and his extreme riding adventures. I feel like I know him because he is very raw and real in his writing, and while he might never be my best friend, I enjoy hearing about what he is going to do next....and he always surprises me.

I loved The Long Way Round and The Long Way Down. I bought this thinking about the crash that I had 30 years ago aged 20, which changed my life. I was about to join the army, but my bike crash put me on another path. I had a compound fracture on my femur and comminuted fractures on my ulna and radius. I was lucky to have a great surgeon, and I recovered well. I shudder to think about having that crash now I've got back into biking after 25 years away without the level of fitness & resilience I had then.If you've had a big crash you may find some of his descriptions may put you in a bit of a cold sweat - instead of being cathartic. His descriptions of the sickness you feel resonated, like when your surgeon tells you matter of factly you may need amputation, and brought back some suppressed memories for me afterwards.This guy has got amazing resilience, endurance, determination and pure grit to recover well at 50. I recently blew my knee out playing golf and I took 3 months of physiotherapy to get over it.If you're a biker this is a great book that will make you think about your safety, your gear, your training, your bike and the conditions. I love riding again after a long time away, but I treat each ride like I'm flying a plane - knowing if I crash it'll end badly and painfully.

I'll have to admit that after reading and watching "Long Way Around" & "Long Way Down", I thought of Charley Boorman in a not-so-positive way. He seemed to come off as, well--boorish (pun intended) and a hanger-on.But that was simply my own limited perception. After reading this very personal and soul-searching book, I came away with a totally different picture of this man. He is truly an example of a man who, although gifted many things, has worked and struggled to become what he is. His true love for his family and friends is an example to us all. His "come-back" from his accident is just one more example of Charley coming back from the realities that life hands each of us--no matter their position or fame.I felt like he and I had a long conversation about life and afterwards, I felt like he had taught me some lessons.A good read and I look forward to more.

Just finished this mini biography,,,,as a fan of Charlie and Ewans' adventures I can't find fault. It's written as if you're having coffee with Charlie over an afternoon. His sometimes dis-jointed telling of his life makes the book all the more charming. His honest, straight-forward style in speaking candidly about his Dyslexia is refreshing, not to mention it could be why the tale hops back and forth in his life. How he's dealt with his troubles, his hard work ethic, his determination to have a family and still follow his dreams makes a normal average guy able to relate to him easily. Thoroughly enjoyable read.

An insightful reflection of Charlie's long struggle to get back to "normal". During this journey he's forced to slow down, confront personal conflict and assess what's important in his life.

A good background read on Charlie. A mixture of tales of some key events and his road to rehabilitation on his motorcycle.

Fairly short book revolving around the huge off Boorman had when he badly broke his leg - and a few other bits and pieces. As he takes us through the recovery he adds life events from his childhood all the way through which to be honest are genuinely interesting.To be honest I assumed that because his father is a well known director and of course Charley a familiar face on TV (and a lesser known one in a few movies) he would live the life of a rich spoiled kid. In actual fact it rather seems that most of his life he has been skint and actually a hard working bloke doing anything to keep the wolves from the door including working as a painter and decorator. Fair play to the bloke.The other thing is the genuine love of motorbikes. Once again I did rather suspect that he was a simply a part time rider that use two wheels for effect when in actual fact from being a small child he has been motorbike mad.He does make it clear on a number of occasions that he is dyslexic which, given how competently this book is written suggests that a pro ghost writer did the actual wordsmithing. That being said I'm sure Mr. Boorman gave the speech to the words as it does come across as being genuinely his work if compared to his TV persona.It's also an interesting glimpse into the rather more exotic world of film and celebrity but not from an A lister with an agenda but from someone who grew up around it but isn't actually part of it.Overall a great read for a holiday book.

A great read. So relatable. Have met Charley once and he's every bit the guy you see on the TV. Here's an inspiring, very real story about getting back in the saddle after a major accident. Lots of funny anecdotes too. The back story tells you so much about what makes Charley 'tick'. Well recommended.

Good entertaining book, Charlie battles through his injuries and carries on with life

Great genuine look at Charlie’s life. Inspiring and wonderful story. Thank you Charlie for sharing and I will see you someday on the road :)