Pillars of Hercules

by Paul Theroux

Release Date: 29 October, 1996

Edition: Paperback

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The Pillars of Hercules

"It's all in your head"? Not at all. At least for Paul it isn't.
I'll explain myself. Well, The Pillars of Hercules is a book Paul wrote on his travels all over the Mediterranean. For people who didn't read other travel books by this wonderful writer let me tell you that he writes what he sees not about what he liked before he even went to one of his dream places. This particular book is amazing and I am only halfway through it and I learned heaps, and I could almost say that I've seen a lot too because the writing is so wonderful, so vivid. It just makes me feel that I am on vacation.
Anyways, if you decide to "Waste some of your time" on a book chose this one - I swear you wont be dissapointed at all. Apart from beautifully described places Paul visited you'll get to know about so many nations histories,culture,customs,stupidities etc.

Highly Recommended. Go PAUL you're even better than Bill Bryson. Hope you'll write about Kosova too someday. You would absolutely like it there. Warm Hospitality and an Enormous Love is what you'll find there especially if you're an American.

You can't help but be jealous, can you

Oh, to be Paul Theroux - get an idea about where you want to travel and know that a publisher will pay you for whatever you write about your trip. Or something like that. The Pillars of Hercules tells a travel tale about the area on Earth that has probably generated the most travel writing in history - the Mediterranean. That said, Mr. Theroux comes at it from an original angle - the historical monuments and great past of the area that usually dominates writing about the Med, he only mentions in passing. What he is interested in is the people - and not just the famous; he annoys the people around him, asking their opinions about their travels and homes. What results is a fantastic travelogue that encompasses many different travel experiences - Theroux goes from a $1,000-a-day cruise (that he didn't pay for) to a cheap (for him) boat load of Turkish holiday goers within a short period of time, and manages to make the Turkish boat sound as interesting as the ritzy cruise ship.

This is not a travel guide. Nor is it an in-depth look at Mediterranean history or culture - there are plenty of other books out there to choose form if that is what you are looking for. In his own words, Theroux describes his travels as: "I had set out to be on the Mediterranean, without a fixed program. I was not writing a book - I was living my life, and had found an agreeable way to do it." I am glad that Theroux decided to share his travels with us, because it makes for an entertaining and interesting read, as well as a view of the area different from most you will find on bookshelves today.