The first time around I had access to the EARC of this book, I did not download it in time. I was lucky enough to have the link reactivated so I could get the copy. All of this did not affect my reading experience in the least.
This is the real-life story of the first man who cycled around the globe. He faced unheard-of difficulties, while the Nazi party was on the rise. His faith does seem to have brought him out alive at the end. He talks of a world that is long gone, many of the places he visited were under colonial rule at the time of the trip and that in itself colours the content. There has been next to no editing, I mean this in the best way. The narrative voice that comes through still sounds of a young man looking at and interacting with people from different cultures from him for the first time. The photos were brilliant, even the few that are in the book. I can only imagine what the full collection must be like!
That said, the issue I had was a very personal one. The narration comes (very clearly) is by a person living in a western mentality, the idea that the east needs saving. I am not going to debate on the point. I am not denying any pros but having seen the lingering repercussions to native heritage or pride in the very places he mentions, not to say how much of a hand the west had to destabilize some, I found it hard to ignore the tone the longer I read. It was written by a young man seeing the world for the first time, so I had to factor that in, despite which my individual reaction kept poking in.
Finally, this was a physical feat worthy of a read. The author was stubborn and strong and intend to complete what he set out to accomplish. Just for that and a very brief insight into a world lost long ago, I would suggest picking it up.
As mentioned earlier, I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own personal background and reading experience.

Talk about Around-The-World!!! In 1935 Cyclist Fred Birchmore took Bucephalus (his handy iron horse aka a Reinhardt bicycle) and left Athens, Georgia to cycle around the world. Careful notes, recording this rider's true view of places (many of which had never yet seen a bicycle), reports of striking up friendships with people and animals, fending off nature and local governments reluctant-to-allow-strangers, all while taking pictures of places that can no longer be found, is the stuff of which Fred writes. Fred's adventure is absolutely worthy of your reading time. If you are a biker, or traveler, or if you just want to "get out" during our current global pandemic. . .this is the book for you. I certainly will be purchasing copies for a few of my besties who will certainly appreciate Fred and his unique trip, and further life adventures. Look him up! His long life (1911-2012) adventures - this was not his only one, by a long shot! - prove his undaunted courage was present to his last breath.

A Sincere thanks to Fred Birchmore, University of Georgia Press and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review. A true delight!

Around the World on a Bicycle by Fred A. Birchmore

Timeless tale of an intrepid traveler – a treat for me to read in more ways than one. At 68 I have ridden a bike for miles but not as many miles as Fred did. I have been to some of the countries he visited though almost four decades later. I have been in countries on the brink of war and also during war. I have also grown in my world outlook – just as Fred did. As I read, I was taken away from thoughts of covid-19, the small village I live in here in Lebanon and found myself back in time both in the era of Fred but also in the time of my own life when I encountered similar experiences mentioned in the story. As a good tale should, this book swept me in, made me feel part of the story – as if I was there with Fred, and made me eager to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

What I liked:
* Fred – indomitable and yet at times young and naïve but always willing to try and to keep going
* The writing of what happened…as I said above…having experienced similar situations, countries and people I could definitely relate
* The believability of the tale since I had similar experiences myself
* Seeing the countries through Fred’s eyes
* Learning new things that I had not known before. What you ask? I had no idea camels had patterns shaved into their fur or that the carved-out cave-like dwellings for religious people and others existed in so many countries. I have seen them in Lebanon and Jordan but didn’t know they were elsewhere.
* Hearing about Vesuvius and the Matterhorn and Greece and more
* Knowing that good people existed then as they do now
* Hearing about food he ate in the terms he used. I am guessing the “pancakes” eh was talking about are local Arab breads: khubz and markouk
* Being reminded of being so young and naïve and how I felt when I first moved to Lebanon in 1978.
* Realizing how much I have grown as a person through my travel – just as Fred did in his
* Wondering if the years of writing in diaries and letters that I have done will one day be of as much interest to others as Fred’s story was to me.

What I didn’t like:
* Being reminded that bigotry has always existed
* Being reminded of the destitute and homeless poor that have been and no doubt always will be with us.
* Remembering the fear that goes hand in hand with war and the rumors of it

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I recommend it to others? Definitely – already have!

Thank you to NetGalley and University of Georgia Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars