Synopses & Reviews
The guru of extreme tourism sets out to face his worst fears in Africa, India, Mexico City, andmost terrifying of allat Disney World
Chuck Thompson harbors a nasty secret: although an intrepid reputation is vital to any working travel writers résumé, the truth is that vast parts of the world scare the hell out of him. “Adventure travel” is supposed to be free of limitations, yet for years Thompson has privately maintained a list of no-go destinations on the basis of horrors from hyena attacks and bilharzia to pushy locals and monstrously bad food.
No longer. To find out if his anxieties are justified, Thompson travels to the places hes previously done everything in his power to avoid, touring Kinshasa in a vehicle that shows signs of recently having been engulfed in flames, bravely putting his delicate digestive system to the test in India, traversing the massive barrios that stand between Mexico City and the nearest UNESCO World Heritage Site, and contemplating the most pressing question under the blazing Florida sun: Is Walt Disney World hell on earth or the pinnacle of American culture? (Or both?) Filled with all the Thompson trademarkshilarious stories, often wildly provocative opinions, and unvarnished observations about world travelTo Hellholes and Back proves its author to be, finally, a truly fearless man of travel.
Review
"Will be a hit with readers who enjoy smart, funny, and unorthodox travel writing." Booklist
Review
"A witty, provocative tale that may not encourage extreme tourism but packs in plenty of local flavor and amusing anecdotes." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
The guru of extreme tourism sets out to face his worst fears in Africa, India, Mexico City, and — most terrifying of all — at Disney World.
In the widely-acclaimed Smile When You're Lying, Chuck Thompson laid bare the travel industry's dirtiest secrets. Now he's out to discover if some of the world's most ill-reputed destinations live up to their bad raps, while confronting a few of his own travel anxieties in the process. Whether he's traveling across the Congo with a former bodyguard from notorious dictator Joseph Mobutu's retinue or diving into the heart of India's monsoon season, To Hellholes and Back delivers Thompson's trademark combination of hilarious stories and wildly provocative opinions, as well as some surprising observations about America's evolving place in the world.
Synopsis
In Smile When You're Lying, Thompson lays bare the travel industry's dirtiest secrets. Now he's out to discover if some of the world's most ill-reputed destinations live up to their bad raps, while confronting a few of his own travel anxieties in the process.
Synopsis
The guru of extreme tourism sets out to face his worst fears in Africa, India, Mexico City, and—most terrifying of all—at Disney WorldIn the widely-acclaimed Smile When Youre Lying, Chuck Thompson laid bare the travel industrys dirtiest secrets. Now hes out to discover if some of the worlds most ill-reputed destinations live up to their bad raps, while confronting a few of his own travel anxieties in the process. Whether hes traveling across the Congo with a former bodyguard from notorious dictator Joseph Mobutus retinue or diving into the heart of Indias monsoon season, To Hellholes and Back delivers Thompsons trademark combination of hilarious stories and wildly provocative opinions, as well as some surprising observations about Americas evolving place in the world.
About the Author
Chuck Thompson, the author of Smile When You’re Lying, is a former features editor for Maxim and was the first editor in chief of Travelocity magazine. He has traveled on assignment in more than thirty-five countries and his writing and photography have appeared in the Atlantic, Esquire, National Geographic Adventure, Playboy, Spy, Escape, WWE magazine, and the Los Angeles Times. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.